These homeowners had been putting off their deck replacement for years. It wasn’t that they didn’t want a new one, as they knew their current deck was past its prime. Instead, their hesitation came down to one stubborn detail. Basement access.
Massachusetts building code requires basement egress doors to be openable from the inside. For most Wakefield deck contractors, that means one thing: cutting a hole in your deck surface for the doors to swing open. And that was exactly what these homeowners wanted to avoid.
They'd seen the awkward eyesore cutouts on other decks around town, with furniture arranged in strange positions in an attempt to make it work. And besides, even if square footage weren’t an issue—who wants a big hole in their deck? They wanted their deck rebuilt, but not if it meant living with that compromise.
So they waited and searched until they found a solution.
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How Our Wakefield Deck Builders Solved the Basement Access Challenge
We'd been waiting to use this new product on the right project. A concealed basement access hatch that sits completely flush with the deck surface when closed, but still meets Massachusetts code for interior egress. The homeowners were immediately interested.
When the hatch is closed, you wouldn’t even know it was there unless you looked really hard. The deck pattern conceals it to a remarkable degree. The owners could smoothly walk across it, place furniture over it, and arrange seating however they wanted. But if you’re exiting the basement and you need to open the hatch, you’ll find it opens smoothly. Meeting both Massachusetts code and our client’s design desires.
The installation photos tell the story better than words. Note how, when closed, the only telltale sign that the hatch is there is a small horizontal line running parallel to the siding of the house. Open, you see exactly how it provides safe, code-compliant basement access without giving up so much as an inch of usable deck space.
These homeowners were the first in the area to try this product, and they couldn't be happier with the decision. It's the kind of solution that makes working with a custom deck builder ideal.
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The Rest of the Build: Driftwood Composite and Two-Tone Rails
With the access problem solved, we could focus on building the deck these homeowners wanted. The beautiful composite, Deckorators Vista Driftwood, became the foundation thanks to its ability to capture the weathered coastal aesthetic found throughout Wakefield without any of the maintenance headaches that come with actual wood. The warm, natural tones work beautifully with New England's light and landscape.
Compared to the basement access hatch, the railing is a small detail but one that ties the whole deck together in terms of function and style. TimberTech drink rails make every inch of a deck functional, giving guests somewhere to set their drinks. For this client, we mounted them on black posts with matte white rails for a two-tone look that pops and ties the entire aesthetic together. Aluminum square black balusters keep the view from the deck clean while matching the black accents throughout.
White PVC trim wraps the deck and stairs, creating edges that'll stay crisp through decades of New England winters. The white PVC square lattice below provides polished skirting with access doors for storage and maintenance, making it both practical and clean. Black RDI graspable handrails complete the safety requirements with the same attention to visual continuity.
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Looking for a Wakefield Deck Company Near You?
Every element of this project serves a purpose. The materials were chosen for longevity and appearance. The color scheme gives the deck visual interest without complexity. And the concealed basement access proves that code compliance doesn't require design compromise.
So if this has your wheels turning, check out our decks gallery to see more completed builds. Our custom designs approach means we start every project by understanding what problems you're trying to solve. You can also download ourfree design guide for planning resources.
To learn more about our process and what we can do for you, give us a call at (781) 528-0998 today!
