If you have a second-story deck and kids, you already know the stairs are the slow way down. A slide turns the deck into the best spot in the backyard and gives the kids a reason to go outside. It’s also one of the most fun projects we get to build. Here’s what goes into adding a slide the right way.
Our cover deck in Pleasant Grove
One of our favorite projects is a Trex deck in Pleasant Grove that made the cover of Deck Specialist magazine. It’s a large second-story deck with a two-tone picture-frame border, white posts with black balusters and a long stair run down to the yard. The feature everyone notices is the green twisty tube slide that runs straight from the deck down to the lawn.
Underneath, the covered patio holds a hot tub, so the deck works for the whole family: dinner up top, the hot tub below, and the kids taking the fast way down.
Choosing a slide
Slides for decks come in a few main styles:
- Tube slides, like the one in Pleasant Grove, are fully enclosed. They’re a good fit for tall decks because the enclosure keeps kids inside the slide all the way down.
- Open spiral slides take up less yard space than a straight run.
- Straight or wave slides work on lower decks and need more room to land.
The height of your deck is the biggest factor. A second-story deck over a walk-out basement may need a tall tube or spiral. A deck a few feet off the ground can use a shorter playground-style slide. Check the slide manufacturer’s guidelines for the height range the slide is designed for.
Safety comes first
A slide changes how the deck is used, so it needs to be planned like any other part of the structure.
The opening in the railing. The slide connects where the railing would normally be, so there’s a gap in the guard. That opening should be only as wide as the slide entry and framed so a child can’t slip past the side of the slide. On a tall deck, many families add a gate at the slide opening so younger kids can’t get to it without a grown-up.
A solid connection. The top of the slide needs to be securely attached to the deck framing, not just the railing or boards. The slide shouldn’t shift, wobble or pull away as kids climb in.
Support for the slide. Tall tube and spiral slides need their own supports and footings, set to the manufacturer’s instructions.
A safe landing. The bottom of the slide needs clear space with nothing in the way, like a fence, a patio edge, rocks or a sprinkler head. A soft surface, such as grass, rubber mulch or wood chips, is better than concrete.
Heat. Utah sun is intense, and slides in direct afternoon sun can get hot. Look at which way the slide faces, consider a lighter color, and check it before kids go down on a summer afternoon.
Railing rules. Guard rules apply to decks more than 30 inches off the ground, so the slide opening has to be planned as part of the railing.
Design it in from the start
The easiest way to add a slide is to plan it with the deck. That lets us place framing, posts and footings for the slide connection, line the opening up with the railing layout and set the slide where it has room to land. We’ll show the slide in the 3D rendering once the job is booked, so you can see how it looks from the yard.
Adding a slide to an existing deck is possible too. We’ll look at the framing where it connects and whether the railing can be modified to code.
Other ways to make the deck fun
A slide is the headliner, but other features help a deck work for kids and adults:
- Lit stairs so everyone gets up and down safely after dark.
- Space underneath for a play area, a covered patio or a hot tub.
- Built-in benches that keep chairs from crowding the deck.
- Composite or PVC boards that won’t splinter bare feet.
Browse more ideas in our deck add-ons guide, see the Pleasant Grove service area page, or check out our custom deck builds. When you’re ready, contact us for a free estimate over the phone.