Deck Building Basics

Navigation: Main page » Home Improvement

 Print this page Submit articleComment article

Author: Dean Novosat

Article source: http://www.gopatio.com/. Used with author's permission.

In my previous article, "planning for a new deck," I outlined the steps for planning for a new deck. This article takes the process one step further. We'll look at how to get started actually building your deck. By this time, I will assume that you have your building permit in hand, a good set of plans, and a materials list. If you don't have a material list, simply take your plan to your nearest home center or building supply store and have them create one for you. Most lumber yards can actually arrange for delivery of all your materials at one time including all the nails and screws are you will need. This can be quite handy on large projects or if you don't own a truck or a trailer. The lumber yard will bring all the parts and pieces you will need to build your new deck.

The first place to start, is to set some posts for your deck to rest on. Were I live in the Northeast, we have to deal with the frost and free cycle of winter. When I received my building permit, the code officer made sure to point out that all posts must be secured in country at least 36 inches below the surface of the ground. This will ensure that when the ground freezes the posts of the deck will not heave. Check with your local zoning office to find out what your specifications are for setting posts.

Renting a post hole digger makes setting the posts much easier, especially if you live in an area with a lot of playing or a lot of stone in your soil. I was able to dig a half a dozen holes in less than an hour. Digging the same number of holes my hand would've taken me at least half a day so the few dollars I spent on the post hole digger rental was well worth it.

Next, a port some stoning concrete makes into the holes and set the posts. My plan called for 4x4 posts. Your plans may be different. After the posts were in and let the concrete cure according to the directions on the package. I then nailed 2 x 2 joists to the side of the House and around the perimeter of the deck. I used metal choice hangers to hang all the internal joists. You can also tell nailed them but metal choice hangers are stronger and easier to use than trying to toenail large lumber.

There are lots of different types of taking you can use on top of your deck. I choose simple pressure treated lumber. To attach the deck boards to the joists you can use either nails or screws. If you use nails, make sure you use special spiral nails. These help prevent nails from popping. Deck screws are preferable as they are stronger but they are much more expensive than nails when laying out the decking, it is easier to let the deck boards run long and trim them down later once the entire deck surface is finished. When all the deck boards or laid, simply take a circular saw, and cut all the ends off the deck.

For a finished look, attach a skirt board to the exposed edges of the decking and over the rim joists. The last thing to do, if needed, would be to add railing, and or steps. However, these basics should get you started.

How To Use A Powerful Leadership Tool To Step Up Sales Results
Brent Filson observes that sales people often achieve a fraction of the results they are capable of because they neglect to apply a powerful leadership tool tha...

The G-spot Exposed
Essential information about the female g-spot...

Buying a Home in Westminster
Buying a home in Westminster can be really challenging, especially when considering all of the properties to choose from. There are always a host of apartments,...

Motivating Employees - Ten Ways to Start You Off
Motivation is a 'culture, rather than an activity - it's a slow-burn which enables you to achieve extraordinary things in yout business or organisation...

Increase New Customer Traffic to Your Business
One person tells another, who tells another, who tells another and so on. You get the idea. Let's see how to make that an actuality.

Is Active Trading The Answer?
One of the main reasons many of us get into investing is to become financially independent. Who isn't trying to amass a portfolio with enough income to ensure t...

4th Chakra: Opening Your Hearts Emotional Power to Transform
Your fourth chakra is your body's energy center for unconditional love, for yourself and others.

Look Familiar?
Learn some quick fixes for your investing mistakes. What to do with a sinking stock, how to spot a promotional stock, when not to second guess your stock choic...

Everything You Wanted To Know About Google -- But Were Afraid To Search For!
How well do you know your Google? We use it every day but do you really know Google? How it started? Its history? More importantly, do you know where Google is ...

Weight Control For Webmasters
Are you gaining weight sitting in front of the computer? It's easy to do.

Generate Traffic And Make Money
Websites with rotating ads offer their members to surf for cash and advertisement credits. The article provides background information about this quite new phen...

Your Website Reflects Your Business
Imagine walking into a store to buy a pair of shoes. You don't know what brand of shoes you want, but you have a good idea of what color. As you enter the store...

Being Visible on a Budget
So visibility is good for business. But how do you get visible with limited resources? Here are some programs I recommend.

Online Slot Machines
Casino slot machines and progressive slots. Download and flash casino slot games.

How to Avoid Giving Away Free Consulting
After spending 30 minutes in a coffee shop with a potential client, I realized that the sheet of paper they were writing on was almost full; full of ideas that ...

Realistic Time Budgeting Tips
Where does your day disappear? Feel like you work and work, and at the end have difficulty accounting where it went? This is for you.

The Not-So-Hidden Persuaders: The Power of The Media Upon Us All
Why do some people buy a red car? Why do others ask for kleenex when they really need just a tissue? Find the answers below, whether you like to shop or not...

My Concept
From my own personal experiences with relationships I believe in a concept that I have been working with, at least in my mind's eye, which is to give generously...

Yoda the Dog
I have never liked dogs much. When I tell people that they ask if I ever had a dog. Well, yes, I did. When I was a little girl we had a white dog with black spo...

An Introduction to Offshore Investing
Once upon a time, offshore investment strategies were spoken of in hushed tones. They were conversations restricted to the plush offices of private Swiss banker...

Healthy Eating For Children: Six Simple Rules
Getting children to eat healthy can be a challenge for any parent. Following these six simple rules can help avoid dinnertime battles and help your children de...

Long Live Viagra!
The article tells that how Viagra has revolutionized the lives of men who were earlier suffering from erectile dysfunction. It also focuses on the difference of...

Lets NOT Talk Turkey
The carving. The leftovers. The endless stuffing. Actually, you love the stuffing, cranberries and turkey trimmings. However, it's been seven years and you know...

How To STAY on TARGET with Your BUSINESS Plans
Today, are you on target with your business plans? Do you sometimes wonder what you're going to do today? Tomorrow? Next week? Most of us do ~ so don't let ...