How To: Deck Building

Before

Materials:

Beams:
2" x 8" x 16'
2" x 8" x 14'
2" x 8" x 12'
Joists:
2" x 6" x 16'
2" x 6" x 12'
Decking:
5/4" x 6" x 16'
Framing:
2" x 6" x 12'
Caprails
5/4" x 6" x 16'
Balusters
2" x 2" x 42"
Joist hangers
2 ½" deck screws
3/8" x 7 ½" carriage bolts
String marker
Tape measurer
Posthole digger
Gravel
Level
Hammer
Drill
Saw
Nails
Concrete

Figure C

Steps:

1. Attain a building permit, and check with the proper authorities to locate any underground utility lines. Mark the utility lines with stakes and colored flags.

2. Determine where the deck location should be according to sun and shade areas of the yard.

3. Before cutting the materials, decide on the surface height. For this project, the deck will require steps and rails. Recreate some of your home's architectural details on railings or balusters to help make your deck and home look uniform.

4. To make sure the deck structure is square, use the three, four, five rule. Connect strings between stakes at each corner of the deck. Measure 3' along the string from the first corner and mark the string with a marker. Measure 4' along the perpendicular string, and mark the string. Measure between the two marks diagonally. You should get a measurement of 5'. If the corner is not squared, adjust the strings and repeat the procedure.

5. Designate where the posts will be located. Use a posthole digger to create the postholes, and make sure the diameter of the hole is twice the size of the diameter of the post. Be sure to dig below the frost line. This will vary from region to region. For example, in warmer parts of the country you may only need to dig 2' while colder regions may require a depth of 48".

6. Layer the bottom of the postholes with gravel for proper drainage, and check to make sure the bottom is even with a level.

7. Use a fast setting concrete that sets in as little as one hour, so you can continue to work on the deck.

8. Once the 4" x 4" posts are all in place and have had time to cure, construct the main support beams from 2" x 8" boards.

9. Sandwich the posts between two support beams to create the deck foundation. Fasten the beams to the posts with two bolts per post.

10. Once the supports are in place, position the floor joists on top of the foundation, 16" on center.

11. Toenail the joists in position, until the decking board is in place to secure.

12. To install a joist hanger, place a scrap piece of wood the same size as the joists in the hanger so that it rests flush with the top edge of the support beam.

13. Attach the hangers to the support beam with nails in all the appropriate spaces. Do not scrimp on this step. The hangers are designed for maximum effectiveness only if all the nails are in place. Place the hangers 16" on center to meet or exceed the building codes of most regions. Be careful of sharp edges along the hangers.

14. Route notches in the 6" x 6" support posts to fit flush along the rim joists.

15. Lay deck boards perpendicular to the house, positioning them next to each other closely. The boards will shrink when dried. Tip: Always place the boards bark-side up with the grains making a frown design on the ends.

16. Position joists 16" on center for the steps to the deck, and use 4"x 4" posts for support.

17. For the railing system, use 2" x 2" on the vertical and a custom pattern to match the gazebo.

18. Use 5/4" decking board cut on an angle for the handrail. Use 5" center spacing for the vertical rails along the rail to meet almost all building codes.

19. Create a custom finial for the top of the posts with 2" x 10" and 2" x 8" pieces of wood.

Figure D

20. Position 2" x 6" on either side of 2"x 2" for a custom railing design. Begin with a wooden frame and find the center of the frame to create the 45 degree angled "x" design.

21. Be sure to protect your newly constructed deck with a clear water repellent, or with an outdoor stain. This will help preserve your deck from the elements.

Deck Landscaping Tips:

• Consider adding shrubs and vines along the railings.
  
• An alternative to landscaping along the edge of the deck might be to use gravel or mulch as a transition between the deck and the grass.
  
• Use tall plants near the back of the deck along the edge of the house such as heavenly bamboo or azaleas.
  
• Consider a medium sized plant like boxwood to plant in front of the tall plants. Avoid planting boxwood all the way around the deck and pruning the boxwood flat or box-shaped.
  
• Plant low growing plants with color in the front of the medium sized plant varieties.
  
• Always give plants plenty of room between each other and the deck structure to grow.