Small front deck and ledger board

Hello,
I'm building a small deck in the front of my house. I have some precast stairs there now but there falling apart and need replacing so I'm taking those out and building a deck instead. You can see form the picture I want to go under, or around, the door. My thought process is to put 2 ledgers on each side of the door and then take a 2x8 board and screw it to both ledgers on either side of the door. This way I don't have to mess with the door when building out the deck. If I put a ledger all the way across I would need to cut into the azek and aluminum around the door. Basically the ledger on either side of the door would be attached to the house and then the 2x8 I screw to both boards will server as the "ledger" that I'll attach the rest of the joists too. The deck will only be about 4x12.

I'm hoping by the picture you can see what I'm trying to accomplish. Is this a stupid idea? Also, there isn't enough room under the door/azek to put the ledger.

 

If you live in an area that gets snow, you don't want a deck right under your storm door or you won't be able to get out. Demo the stairs first so that you have a step down onto the deck.

 

Yes, that's the plan. The ledger will be well below the door.

 

I'd build it free standing and not have to mess with the siding at all.

 

I thought about this but that's more holes to dig. In my area digging holes isn't easy. It's all clay and granite, total PIA unless you have jackhammer

 

Thanks for all the responses. I'm into the project now and was moving forward with doing what I originally said which was to attach to small ledgers and then attach a 14ft 2x8 to the 2 ledgers. However, now that I'm into it seems like I should just cut the aluminum and azek under the door and go all the way across with a ledger attached to the house?

 

I thought that's what the plan was all along. It's why we told you to demo the stairs.