Custom Scissor Truss Roof System Solves Complex Architectural Challenge
Sometimes the biggest obstacles lead to the most rewarding solutions. When the initial zoning application for this Cincinnati deck project faced denial due to rear setback requirements, we knew the homeowners’ vision was worth fighting for. The 25-foot setback restriction would have killed the project entirely, leaving no room for the covered outdoor space the family had dreamed of creating.
We filed a PUD adjustment request, presenting a case that reduced the rear setback from 25 feet to just 10 feet. The approval opened the door to something special: a custom-covered deck that works within the constraints of the lot while maximizing the connection between the home’s lower-level door and upper-level window.
The scissor truss roof system became the project‘s defining feature. Built specifically to bridge the space between the two levels of the home, the custom roof creates a dramatic covered area that feels like an outdoor room. The tongue-and-groove pine beadboard ceiling, finished with polyurethane, adds warmth overhead while the scissor trusses provide the structural integrity needed for the wide span.
Below, the TimberTech Terrain Series decking in Silver Maple stretches across the frame, installed with stainless steel CONCEALoc hidden fasteners that keep the surface clean and uninterrupted. The Azek PVC trim provides crisp lines around the perimeter, while the Key-Link American Series aluminum railing, in a textured black finish, frames the space without blocking sightlines.
BVLZ brick veneer ledger connectors solved the attachment challenge, creating a secure connection to the home’s brick veneer exterior. The low-voltage post lights mounted to the railing posts activate automatically through a photo-sensor-controlled transformer, creating an inviting atmosphere as evening approaches.
What started as a zoning challenge became an opportunity to create something truly custom—a covered deck that respects the property boundaries while maximizing outdoor living potential.
