Instructions on How to Build a Wood Deck
- 1). Design the deck on a sheet of grid paper using a scale that works with the size of your deck. Place 4 by 4 post every 10 feet to support the joist. Draw in joist that run the short direction of your design. Place the floor joist along the length of the deck at 16-inch intervals. The rim joist go around the perimeter of the deck and support the floor joist. The decking runs the long direction and are 5 and 1/2-inch wide.
You can use your plan to work up a material list of decking materials needed to construct the deck.A wood deck can make a pleasant spot to entertain friends and family. Decks are a terrific place for the kids to play. A deck can be attached to the house or freestanding like around a swimming pool. When building a wood deck be sure to check with the local permit department to find out and restrictions or requirements that have to be followed. This also may be neighbor hood requirements that must be met. The do it yourself handyman can make a wood deck without much trouble. - 2). Place a layer of landscape fabric over the ground where the deck is to be located. Spread a layer of gravel over the fabric to keep it in position. This will help keep weeds and grass from growing under the deck. Mark the location of each of the post that will support the deck. Refer to your deck design for the placement of each post. Use a can of landscape paint to place a dot at each post location.
- 3). Call your local permit department to determine if there are any permits required for your deck. Additionally, visit the local utility companies and have the property flagged for any underground utilities that may run through the property. This is for your safety so that you do not hit any water, natural gas, or electric lines when you dig the post holes. Do not proceed until the property is flagged
- 4). Drill the post holes to 6-inches below the frost line for your area. The permit department can tell you what it is for your area of the country. This will keep the deck from moving due to the weather. Fill the post holes with concrete, set galvanized post anchors into the concrete before it sets. Let the concrete set before proceeding to the next step.
- 5). Attach the ledger board three inches below the threshold of the door. Place 12-inch flashing on the wall where the ledger attaches. Make sure it is placed so water will run over the exterior of the flashing when it rains. Use 3 and 1/2-inch lag bolts to attach the ledger board to the house. Pre-drill the ledger board for the lag bolts. Use a 4-foot carpenters level to ensure that the ledger board is level. Place 3 galvanized washers between the flashing and the ledger board while securing the ledger in position.
- 6). Set 4 by 4 pressure treated post on each of the post anchors for the deck. Attach the 2 by 8 rim joist to the post using 6-inch carriage bolts. Pre-drill holes for the carriage bolts through the post and rim joist. Place a carriage bolt through each hole and tighten down with an adjustable wrench.
- 7). Mark the rim joist for the position of 2 by 8 joist hangers along the length of the joist at 16-inch intervals. The floor joist span the short length of the deck. Attach the joist hanger to the rim joist using the galvanized hanger nails.
- 8). Cut and position the floor joist to fit between the joist hangers. Use a circular saw to cut the floor joist to length. Secure the floor joist by nailing through the joist hangers into the floor joist.
- 9). Run the 5/8-inch decking boards perpendicular to the floor joist. Attach the decking with (2) 1 and 1/2-inch exterior deck screws at each floor joist. Set the screw 1/2-inch in from the edge of the decking. Drive the exterior decking screw so that the head of the screw is set just below the surface of the decking.
Let the ends of the decking overhang the rim joist by 1-inch. Start the next-row beginning with a 1/2 board of decking material. Do this for every other row so that no two rows of decking have end joints that align with each other. Use an 1/8-inch spacer between rows to allow for expansion of the decking. A framing nail works best for an 1/8-inch spacer. Cut any decking boards using a circular saw.
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