Deck system

Abstract

A deck system includes an interconnected subframe operable to engage a ground surface and provide an elevated substantially horizontal support surface. A subfloor is coupled to the subframe and defines a working surface. A masonry floor surface including a plurality of brick pavers, for example, is disposed on the working surface. The masonry floor surface provides the advantages of durability and low maintenance while the subframe and subfloor allow construction at an elevated location, such as a second story of a home.

1 . A deck system comprising: 
 an interconnected subframe operable to engage a foundation and provide a substantially horizontal support surface in an elevated orientation relative to a ground surface;    a subfloor supported by said subframe and defining a working surface; and    a deck surface comprising a masonry material disposed on said working surface.    
   
   
       2 . The deck system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fascia arranged on at least a portion of a perimeter of the deck system.  
   
   
       3 . The deck system of  claim 1 , further comprising a semi-permeable barrier disposed between said subfloor and said plurality of masonry material.  
   
   
       4 . The deck system of  claim 3  wherein said semi-permeable barrier comprises a fabric material.  
   
   
       5 . The deck system of  claim 1  wherein said subframe comprises wood and defines at least one support post extending in a generally vertical orientation between said ground surface and said horizontal support surface.  
   
   
       6 . The deck system of  claim 1  wherein said subfloor comprises a plurality of passages defined through said working surface.  
   
   
       7 . The deck system of  claim 6  wherein said subfloor comprises plastic and defines a plurality of recess portions for accepting a fastener head in an installed position.  
   
   
       8 . The deck system of  claim 1  wherein said masonry material is selected from the group consisting of brick paving blocks; cultured stone; natural stone; slate; fieldstone; marble; and conventional brick.  
   
   
       9 . A deck assembly comprising: 
 a subframe supported by a foundation on a first end and presenting a substantially horizontal support surface elevated above a ground surface on an opposite end;    a subfloor extending across and coupled to said support surface of said subframe, said subfloor defining a working surface;    a semi-permeable barrier disposed over said working surface;    a masonry material arranged upon said working surface; and    a fascia arranged on at least a portion of a perimeter of the deck assembly.    
   
   
       10 . The deck assembly of  claim 9  wherein said fascia comprises synthetic material.  
   
   
       11 . The deck assembly of  claim 9  wherein said semi-permeable barrier comprises fabric.  
   
   
       12 . The deck assembly of  claim 9  wherein said subframe comprises wood and defines at least one support post extending in a generally vertical orientation between said ground surface and said horizontal support surface.  
   
   
       13 . The deck assembly of  claim 9  wherein said subfloor comprises a plurality of passages defined through said working surface.  
   
   
       14 . The deck assembly of  claim 6  wherein said subfloor defines a plurality of recess portions for accepting a fastener head of a fastener in an installed position, said fastener extending entirely through said subfloor and engaging said subframe in an installed position.  
   
   
       15 . The deck assembly of  claim 9  wherein said subfloor comprises plastic.  
   
   
       16 . The deck assembly of  claim 9  wherein said masonry material is selected from the group consisting of brick paving blocks; cultured stone; natural stone; slate; fieldstone; marble; and conventional brick.  
   
   
       17 . A deck installation associated with a building and adapted to provide a floor space elevated from a ground surface and accessible from the building comprising: 
 an interconnected subframe defining a working surface;    a subfloor supported by said subframe and defining a working surface; and    a masonry material disposed on said working surface and defining a floor surface.    
   
   
       18 . The deck installation of  claim 17  wherein said floor surface is accessible from a second story of the building.  
   
   
       19 . The deck installation of  claim 17  wherein said floor surface is accessible from a third story of the building.  
   
   
       20 . The deck installation of  claim 17  wherein said subframe is coupled to the building.  
   
   
       21 . The deck installation of  claim 20  wherein said subframe is cantilevered to the building.  
   
   
       22 . A method of constructing a deck comprising: 
 assembling a subframe engaging a ground surface and presenting a substantially horizontal support surface at an elevated location relative to said ground surface;    attaching a subfloor to said frame structure; and    arranging a plurality of paving blocks onto said subfloor.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein assembling said subframe comprises: 
 arranging at least one support post in a generally vertical orientation between said ground surface and said horizontal support surface.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 arranging a fascia on at least a portion of a perimeter of the deck in a substantially transverse orientation to said horizontal support surface.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22  wherein attaching said subfloor comprises: 
 driving at least one fastener through said subfloor whereby a distal end of said at least one fastener penetrates said subframe and a proximal end of said at least one fastener nests into a recess defined on said subfloor.