DIY Network

Decorative Touches and Hardscapes: Deck Installation and Pouring the Patio and Porch Cement From "Home IQ" episode DHIQ-122

In this segment our homeowner (Brad Oberg) discusses the deck and view (figure A) off the kitchen at the back of the house, and the installation of the deck begins and the cement for the patio and porch is poured.

The Oberg's deck is being supported by four brick columns (figure B -- columns on left) that come up all the way from the ground up past the deck, so instead of a 4 x 4 on the railing, there will be three sections of railing supported by the four columns. And another decorative and pragmatic touch will be that some lighting will be built into the brick columns that will wash down upon and illuminate the deck.

In order to accommodate the brick columns the level of the lawn had to be dropped approximately 4' behind the deck to help with transition when you come around the house.

Figure A

Figure B

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	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

This 4' drop does create a nice transition, but since the house's foundation is "already" complete, it causes big changes for the builder. Without the support of the dirt next to the backside of the patio (figure C), something has to be done to keep it all from sliding down the hill.

The Solution: The excavation team was called back out to the site to dig a new trench (figure D), which is then filled with concrete in order to create a footer. Then the mason team is called back to create a foundation of more than 1,000 blocks (figure E) to support the patio and deck.

Note: The block can't be left exposed, however, because it won't look right, so a veneer of brick is applied (figure F) to match the rest of the house.

All of this added work takes weeks and costs lots of money -- extra money not originally budgeted. And since it was the Oberg's decision to make this change, they'll have to pay for it!

With the work done it's now time to actually build the deck.

	Figure G
	Figure H

Building the Deck

• The Oberg deck is built like any other -- posts first (figure G).

• But the decking itself is unique. The Oberg's have decided to go with a "composite" (figure H) decking called Trex® (see Resources, below, for more information on this product), which is a wood polymer made from hard woods and plastic (post-consumer products -- specifically recycled grocery bags and shrink wrap). This is an environmentally-sound product that works as well as wood and has other advantages:
  1. The workability of wood, which means it's easy to cut and fasten, etc.

  2. The durability of plastic.

  3. Low shrinkage and maintenance.

  The main disadvantage of the product at this time is that most contractors haven't worked with the new material. For example, in the 2 x 6 product a 20"-on-center joist spacing is required, compared to the conventional 2' or further spacing.

  It's also important that the gaping is between the deck boards is precise, which means space should be left for debris to fall through, etc.