How to Build a Deck - DIY, Do It Yourself Home Improvement

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How to Build a Deck

Written by Robert

Deck building can be a complicated process. Here are some steps on how to build a deck that will make the process of deck building a little simpler. Once you determine the style of deck you would like, you can begin the deck building process.

Deck Building Materials and Tools:

Ready-mixed Concrete, Gravel
Shovel
Wheelbarrow
Structural Connectors
Adjustable Wrench
Chalk Line
Lumber for Posts, Ledger, Beams and Joists
Railing Material
Level and Line Level
Mason's Line
Measuring Tape
Stain
Brushes and Thinner
Black Polyethylene
Plumb Bob
2x2s and 1x4s for Batter Boards
Concrete Piers
Lag Screws, Hex Bolts w/ Nuts and Washers
Screws
8d and 16d Galvanized Common/Box Nails
Hammer
Deck Boards
Framing Square

Deck building preparation steps:

1Prepare the ground under the deck by removing the sod. To provide drainage, slope the ground away from the house at least 1” every 15’. After your deck building project is complete, you will cover the ground with black polyethylene to help prevent weeds.

2A 2x6 ledger will need to be mounted to the wall with ½” lag screws. Measure and mark the position of the ledger along the wall. The ledger should be 1” below the bottom of the door, plus the thickness of the decking, plus the depth of the joists (if you intend to set the joists on the ledger and beams instead of using joist hangers).

3Be sure the ledger is level and the lag screws are long enough to penetrate the studs at least 3”. Use two lag screws at each end, as well as one at each wall stud approximately 16” on center.

4Install a Z shaped flashing above the ledger or space the ledger away from the wall with washers to help shed water.

Deck building layout steps:

1Establish the outside perimeter of the deck by measuring out from each end of the ledger bout 18” past the outside edge of the deck.

2Set up batter boards. Run taut strings from each end of the ledger to the batter boards to establish the sides of the deck.

3Run a third string between the batter boards to establish the outside edge of the deck.

4Square the layout by measuring the opposite diagonals. Adjust the ledger to batter board strings until both measurements are equal. Maintain the correct distance between the strings.

Deck building substructure steps:

Footing and piers:Use a plumb bob from the string to establish the location of the footings. Holes for the footings must be deeper than the maximum frost penetration in your area, as well as deep enough to rest on undisturbed soil. Dig 6 inches deeper and fill the bottom of the hole with gravel. This will allow for drainage. Many areas require a minimum of three feet. Quite often you need inspections before proceeding. Check your local laws.

Mix the concrete and pour the footingsMeasure the depth of the footing in inches and divide by 8 to find the number of 90# bags of ready mixed concrete you will need for each 2x12 footing. After pouring, set a pre-cast pier on the footing that extends about 6” above the ground level. A thin cement mix bonds the piers to the footings.

Posts:Once the concrete has set, stand the posts on the piers. Use a temporary brace and a level to plumb the posts. Once the posts are set, run a mason’s line from the top of the ledger to each post. Use a line level to mark it for cutting. The posts’ height should be equal to the height of the ledger minus the depth of the beam that will set on it.

Beams:Post to beam connectors should be fastened on top of the posts with nails and ½” x 5 ½” hex bolts. Set the beams into the connector. Plumb and square the assembly. Secure the beams like you secured the posts. Local building codes may require you to install 2x6 diagonal cross braces and secure them with ½” x 4 ½” lag screws.

Joists:The joist locations should be marked on both the beams and the ledger. The joists should be set in place with the crowns up. Splice the connections if the deck is wide enough to need two sets of joists and if you decide to set the joists over the beams instead of from the joist hangers. Splice the connections by overlapping each pair of joists at least 1’ and nail them together with 8d galvanized nails. Blocking will need to be installed wherever required. The requirements of blocking are determined by your local building codes. Nail the rim joist across the ends of the joists.

Stairs:Build your stairs at this time.

Deck building deck and railing steps:

Decking:Lay the deck boards with the bark side up and with both ends centered over a joist. The joints should be staggered side by side, so they do not line up. Notch the boards around posts and other obstructions. Leave 1/8” gap for drainage.

Space 2” thick deck boards about 1/8”:Set a 16d nail between the boards as they are fastened. 5/4”x6” pressure treated decking can be put with each board flush against the next. Proper spacing will happen with natural shrinkage.

Fasten deck boards at each joistUse two fasteners at every support point up to 6” wide or three fasteners with wider boards. All fasteners must be hot-dipped galvanized, aluminum or stainless steel. Use deck screws or clips rather than nails, if possible. If you use nails, blunt the points by tapping with hammer to avoid splitting the deck.

Decking should run over the edge of the structure. Saw off the ends after boards are laid.

Railings:The railing posts should be secured at each corner and on each side of the stairs. Secure the field posts. Space equally between the corners, but do not have them farther apart than the local building codes require, generally 6”. Sub-railings and cap rail should be nailed into place. Add the balusters.

Congratulations on learning how to build a deck. Now it is time to enjoy.

Comments (1)

|2010-11-17 16:00:06 Deck Builder - Great deck building tutorial

This is good. I like how you separate the "shopping list" of materials and each individual section dealing with a separate part of the deck. The illustrations help too - nice job.
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