Solid-Looking Posts For Raised Decks

iagonal bracing visually strengthens deck posts Curved bracing repeating arched windows makes deck posts look less spindly Figure 1. Diagonal knee braces, though structurally unnecessary, give otherwise spindly-looking posts a more substantial look. These can be simple angled braces (top), or a repetition of a design element found elsewhere on the house (bottom). In the North Carolina mountains where I have my design practice, there’s practically no such thing as a flat building lot. Many sites drop 20 feet or more along the side of the house, and it’s not uncommon to find basements with sweeping views of distant mountains.