This two level hot tub deck design really does it nice.

An upper level with sunken hot tub and built in benches surround it.

Intimacy. Relaxation. Revitalization.

Below is a larger deck with cascading stairs for an open access concept.

Lots of room for a table, chairs and umbrella.

Simple concept. Pretty easy to build.

Check out the top down view of this backyard building site.

Northern exposure so sunshine only really in the early morning and late afternoon hours.

A larger deck projecting further out from the house would allow the homeowner to capture a bit more day light sun.

Next door neighbors right beside where the hot tub was going. So the solution was a tightly spaced 2x2 baluster privacy wall.

Add some built in surround seating and you have a backyard spa!

Before finalizing the layout we suggested the hot tub be installed at grade on compacted gravel and concrete slab with piers and footings.

Notice where the original patio slab is and ends and where the excavation for the tub slab is.

A slight overlapping of the tub on old and new concrete. But we put in a good 12" of stone gravel base.

The soil here is soft and so to be extra cautious we poured piers deep into the ground and made them integrated with the main slab above.

The effect is to distribute weight a bit more. Steel re-bar is also important and certainly more piers could have been poured.

You should check with a soils engineer or someone at your building department to get an idea of local soil types and bearing capacity.

Then use our footings calculator tool.

It's just a skeleton or a shell of its future self at this early stage.

But you can see where this deck is going.

The privacy fence around the upper tub deck was absolutely essential given the proximity to the neighbors and steady summer westerly wind.

For those of you who have trouble imagining finished work in your mind check out the picture below.

The upper level of this deck is now complete.

Built in bench seating set around the perimeter agains the privacy fence panel acts as a back.

This little space is now totally inviting day or night.

And that is what any deck should do. No matter what the purpose is maximize it for its purpose.

Voila! A hot tub spa retreat in their backyard!

The homeowners loved the final result.

It felt like two distinct areas and with the benches and privacy screen, the hot tub deck had a real intimate feel to it, summer or winter.

They also got an area big enough for soaking up sun despite the northern exposure.