Private Escape Deck
Wood privacy railing and a side screen turn a close-neighbors yard into a retreat.
Privacy is easiest to design before the furniture arrives. This 14×12 layout combines substantial wood privacy railing with a separate side screen, then pulls the lounge seating and planters inside that sheltered edge. Charcoal diagonal boards and boxed closed-riser stairs give the whole retreat a grounded, enclosed feel.
The spec
| Footprint | 14×12 ft (168 sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 3 ft |
| Decking | Charcoal composite, diagonal |
| Railing | Yes |
| Stairs | Yes |
| Cost basis | Composite benchmark: $45 – $70 / sq ft installed (USD). |
| Base platform allowance (USD) | $7,600 – $11,800 |
These are base platform allowances, not complete quotes for the pictured designs. Railing, stairs, lighting, skirting, benches, pergolas, special board patterns and extra framing for height or multiple levels need separate quotes.
Cost assumptions and sources
U.S. planning allowances in USD for a simple, single-level deck, including ordinary materials and contractor labor. These are PaperPlan editorial assumptions, not surveyed averages or a local quote.
- Pressure-treated: $25 – $40 / sq ft installed (USD)
- Composite: $45 – $70 / sq ft installed (USD)
- PVC: $60 – $90 / sq ft installed (USD)
Multiply deck area (width × length in feet) by the selected installed rate, then round each end of the range to the nearest $100.
Demolition, permits and engineering, taxes, stairs, railing, roofs, unusual foundations and difficult site access need separate quotes. Location, product selection and labor can put a real bid outside these ranges. Canadian projects need local CAD pricing.
The manufacturer sources below explain scope and cost drivers; they do not validate PaperPlan’s exact installed-rate bands. Supplier material estimates should not be compared directly with an installed project budget.
- Trex: deck material cost calculator: Estimates materials and explicitly excludes labor; prices vary with location, season and design.
- TimberTech: understanding deck costs: Separates decking, railing, labor and substructure, and explains the impact of site and project features.
Sources and assumptions reviewed . Confirm the scope and current price with local contractors before budgeting a build.
Best for
- Close-neighbors yards where ordinary balusters expose the whole deck
- Hot tubs, reading corners, and quiet lounge-first layouts
- Side yards that need screening from one especially visible direction
Similar templates
- Pergola retreat: Picture-frame boards, a shaded pergola lounge, and string lights for slow evenings.
- Modern mesh platform: A clean charcoal platform with architectural mesh rails and a built-in back-edge bench.
- Skirted porch deck: Charcoal diagonal boards with full skirting, access door, and an entry landing.
Deck planning guides
- Deck Cost Calculator
- Cost to Build a Deck in 2026
- Composite Deck Cost in 2026
- Deck Material Calculator
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- 10×12 Deck Cost
- 12×12 Deck Cost
- 12×16 Deck Cost
- 12×20 Deck Cost
- 16×16 Deck Cost
- 16×20 Deck Cost
- 20×20 Deck Cost
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