FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Vinyl Deck to Door detail

bluegoat | Posted in Construction Techniques on June 16, 2009 08:29am

I’ve got a vinyl deck over a living area – basement – with a door that leads to the main floor living area.

What is the best practice for installing the door and the exterior wall with respect to the vinyl if I am rebuilding that exterior wall at the same time as the deck?

Should the vinyl be installed first and come underneath the threshold of the door such that the threshold weep will weep onto the vinyl? In that case how do you terminiate the vinyl on the inside? Keep it a flush cut with the interior side of the bottom plate that you cut out for the door? and have the vinyl up the side of the jamb on each side of the door? or possibly leave a little extra vinyl at the interior side of the removed section of bottom plate that is pulled up and glue to the interior face of the threshold?

Sorry kind of hard to describe the details that I am interested in. I hope that I articulated the finer points well enough.

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. Piffin | Jun 16, 2009 11:59pm | #1

    Sounds like this is an existing, and one important detail you don't mention is how high the RO for door is above the finished elevation of the deck, regardless of materials used, that should be a min 4" max 7"

    Then I run roof membrane up and in.
    Seat a door pan over it with appropriate caulk, then install door into a couple beads of caulk.

    Reason for mentioning "appropriate" for caulk is that not all caulks are right for all membranes, all climates, and all door threshold materials.

     

     

    Welcome to the
    Taunton University of
    Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
     where ...
    Excellence is its own reward!

    1. bluegoat | Jun 17, 2009 03:41am | #2

      I subbed out this work and what I got was the kitchen sub floor level with the exterior deck floor. The joists underneath were replaced and these joists support 3' of the kitchen and 6' of deck. Without changing the joist direction how would you have achieved your 4" difference in floor and deck height? Keep in mind that the ceiling below should remain the same. You can't really notch 4" out of a 2x8 joist to keep the exterior deck 4" lower. Even if you ran the joists such that the kitchen and the deck were different your underdeck ceiling would no longer be the flush with your under kitchen ceiling. The only option I can see to achieve the 4" different would be to accept a non-flush under ceiling or perhaps use something structurally equivalent to a 2x8 that is 4" tall - steel?I see decks built all the time that have their elevation the same as the interior - I take it these would violate your best practice of 4" height difference?I am in the pacific northwest so we don't typically get snow - which might be the main reason for wanting a 4-7" difference in height. I do agree that a non-trivial height difference does make the most amount of sense.Thank you for the reply.

      1. Piffin | Jun 17, 2009 02:01pm | #3

        With what you have, your only recourse is to caulk the snot out of it and hope for the best. No roofer will warrantee something like what you have. It's bad design from the start.There are ways to achieve it, but I do not have all the other info about your job, and I've sure you don't want to backtrack now. 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

  2. Piffin | Jun 17, 2009 02:07pm | #4

    I've got a vinyl deck over a living area - basement

    Should the vinyl be installed first?

    Maybe you do not have this vinyl on already and it is possible to backtrack...???

    Is the deck only 6' out? Of so 2x6 framing could handle it depending on other factors.

    Is it cantilevered or does it bear on a wall at the outside?
    Is there a wall directly under the door?

    Is this new or a rebuild?

    what other pertinent structural details are we missing?

    can you post a digital photo of the area above and below?

    regardless of the above, I still regard this as poor design. extending joists through from inside to outside is bad practice that almost always causes problems.

     

     

    Welcome to the
    Taunton University of
    Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
     where ...
    Excellence is its own reward!

    1. bluegoat | Jun 18, 2009 01:29am | #5

      One thing to bear in mind is that the vinyl decking lifetime is really only around 10-15 years so this will have to be redone in the future. I am also interested in case this project comes up again. I think the next time I'd go for a concrete deck as that should last indefinitely - I didn't realize the vinyl was such a short lived product.The deck is about 7'x7' in area.The 2x8 are running perpendicular to the rough opening of the door and are about 10' long. They are not cantilevered. Underneath the deck is inside and under the kitchen is inside so the joists aren't really going outside.This is a renovation to existing but the foundation under the deck is new. The portion of the kitchen floor that was replaced used to be cantilevered now it is part of the deck joists.No wall directly under the door but there is a built up beam 3' back and the joists are hung off that with full bearing on a wall with a concrete foundation on the other end.You are correct that I probably could have had 2x6s supporting the deck. I guess 2" difference would be better than what I have now - next time - that still doesn't give you your 4" minimum.I don't have any pictures on me right now, I'll see if I can dig some up.Given my current situation you'd caulk the outside face of the door threshold to the deck and then hope that the door weep is never needed? Thanks for the discussion and advice.

      1. Piffin | Jun 18, 2009 02:24pm | #6

        "Given my current situation you'd caulk the outside face of the door threshold to the deck and then hope that the door weep is never needed? "No - would caulk under the thresh as the door is installed, and at bottom corner of jamb in the shim space for a few inches up.What you describe sounds bad from a structural POV also, not just the water situation.Gotta get off to work or I'd scketch up a current as described and a properly designed for this situation. Is the wall this door is in a load bearing wall of in a gable end of the house? 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

        1. bluegoat | Jun 18, 2009 09:10pm | #7

          I took a look at the graphic guide to frame construction for the deck details and it looks like they say the level can be the same but should be lower to account for snow loads. Given we get almost no snow and that this corner of the house is heavily sheltered I think this shouldn't be an issue - not to say that it shouldn't have been made lower.So for the caulking you would caulk the inside face of the threshold and inside corner when the door is installed which would allow the outside weep face of the threshold to weep, correct?The structural question is a little more difficult to answer. In 1920 the door would have been overtop of the wall below and it is in the wall that supports the rake of the roof. In 1950 an extension was added and the door was moved out the 3 feet, thus the built up beam 3 feet before the door. So the door wall should be alright as it is really supporting just a 3' horz span of the roof + 3' of overhanging roof.

          1. Piffin | Jun 19, 2009 12:22am | #8

            no again.I would caulk UNDER the thresh before installing the door and seat that threshold INTO the caulk. This is the detail that every door company shows in their install directions.IS this wall a load bearing wall??????? 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          2. bluegoat | Jun 19, 2009 03:05am | #9

            Yes the wall is load bearing it is 6' long. The rake of the roof sits on it but the total length of the rafters are 6' long, 18" oc and there is no structure above the wall except the roof. There is no direct load path below this wall into the foundation but given it isn't bearing much of a roof load I don't see this as an issue - I could be wrong.Thank you for the discussion sorry if I am missing your points or doing a poor job answering your questions.Here is an example of a door installation detail for caulking. Is this how you typically do it? I found the instructions a little surprising as I expected the threshold weep to extend back further than one inch.>>Apply two generous beads of caulk along the subsill an inch inside the front and rear edges of where the sill will be placed. Extend the caulk a couple of inches up the sides of the rough framing.

          3. Piffin | Jun 19, 2009 02:32pm | #10

            Yes on the caulk.Since this is a rake wallon the roof, it might not bear load. If it were aneave of roof, it would bear that roof load and would almost certainly make the floor joists sag there and create a puddle right where you don'
            t want it.As is, you have a 50-50 chance that it won't 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Choosing a Paintbrush

Tips for picking the right paintbrush based on paint type, surface, and personal comfort.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 695: Saving Bricks, Cut-and-Cobble Insulation, and Waterproofing Foundations
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Waterproofing Below-Grade Foundation Walls
  • Midcentury Home for a Modern Family
  • The New Old Colonial

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 333 - August/September 2025
    • A Practical Perfect Wall
    • Landscape Lighting Essentials
    • Repairing a Modern Window Sash
  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data