Second-Story Deck, Patio Cover and Outdoor Kitchen in San Antonio

This San Antonio home had a big backyard and mature trees, but the main living space sat a full story above the grass. We built an elevated deck off the upper level with a gabled patio cover, an L-shaped outdoor kitchen, and a covered lounge with a fireplace and TV, and the space underneath became a shaded patio of its own.

The challenge

Stepping outside meant a long walk down to the yard. The homeowners wanted outdoor space on the same level as their kitchen and living room, with real shade, a place to cook, and somewhere to relax in the evening, without losing the big trees out back.

What we built

An elevated deck across the back of the house, with stairs down to the yard. It's built the way we approach all our custom decks in San Antonio: framed for the height, finished with warm brown decking, and edged with a dark wood top rail over stainless steel cable railing that keeps the view open.

Over the deck, a gabled patio cover with an exposed timber truss gives the back of the house a strong new face from the yard. Like our other San Antonio patio covers, it's designed to read as part of the home, and ceiling fans keep the air moving underneath.

One end of the covered deck is a lounge built around a column with a fireplace and a mounted TV. The other end is an L-shaped outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill, stainless access doors, a sink, and plenty of counter space, just steps from the door to the indoor kitchen.

The result

The family gained a full outdoor floor: cooking, dining, and lounging up top, plus a shaded patio below with room for a ping-pong table. The trees stay, the view gets better, and the backyard works as an everyday living space. Curious how a project like this comes together? Here's how our process works.

Ready for something like this?

Thinking about an elevated deck or patio cover like this in San Antonio? We're happy to walk the space with you — request a quote.