| Build a Deck: Starting the Deck |
From "Build a Deck"
episode BDK-101 |
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Note: Click here for a materials list and complete instructions without images.
Materials: 2 x 6 boards (pressure-treated pine)
2 x 2 boards (pressure-treated pine)
2 x 8 boards (pressure-treated pine)
2 x 12 boards (pressure-treated pine)
2 x 8 boards (pressure-treated pine)
4 x 4 posts (pressure-treated pine)
6 x 6 posts (pressure-treated pine)
Carriage bolts and nuts
Post anchors
Galvanized 3" decking screws
Concrete mix for footers (if applicable)
Roll of flashing Tools Needed: Circular saw
Power drill
Jigsaw
Reciprocating saw
Pneumatic Nail Gun kit (available at rental store)
Galvanized deck screws
Level
Framing square
Speed square
Chalk line
Tape Measure
Adjustable wrench
Safety goggles, gloves and mask
Masonry drill bit
Hammer
Utility knife Before You Start: It's important to draw up a set of plans. This will help also in determining the amount of materials needed. Know Your Deck Terminology - Foundation -- When building a deck, it's always from the ground up, which means starting with a foundation. For this particular project, the crew built the deck from an existing patio. In most cases, the foundation is either a concrete pad or post installed on footers.
- Support Posts -- On top of the foundation, 4 x 4 or 6 x 6 vertical posts are installed to support the weight of the deck. These support posts are commonly placed four to six feet apart.
- Beams -- Horizontal boards -- or beams -- are attached to the post to help carry the weight and anchor the support posts. (2 x 8, 2 x 10 or 2 x 12 boards can be used for horizontal beams.)
- Joists -- Typically 2 x 8 boards that are installed perpendicular and between beams to help distribute weight and hold up the decking boards. Joists are usually installed 16 or 24 inches apart. Joists allow the use of decking boards.
- Decking -- The boards that span the area over the joists and form the deck floor.
- Handrails -- The horizontal boards that provide safety. Handrails can also enhance the beauty of any deck.
- Balusters -- The vertical boards that attach to the handrails. Sometimes called spindles. Balusters help to increase safety and can add to the beauty of the project as well.
- Staircase Landing -- Usually part of the decking plan.
- Stair Stringers -- The boards that support stairs.
- Treads -- The top boards on a stair.
Getting Started on the Deck - Choose the right lumber and calculate how much wood is needed. Multiply the length x width of the deck, taking into account stairways and railings to come up with how much decking material to order. To figure out how much material will be needed for the structural elements, it's best to seek professional advice from the home center regarding what size boards and posts for your deck plans. Then add 10 percent to the final figure for waste.
- Determine what type of wood to use.
- Select your lumber. Many retail outlets will let the consumer pick out the boards for a deck project. But if you can't do that, have an understanding with the retailer that you can return any warped or unsatisfactory boards or lumber that you don't use. Pick lumber that is straight and has few imperfections. And have the lumber delivered as close to the job site as possible and keep it covered when not in use. For this particular project, the DIY crew used pressure-treated pine (figure A ).
Tip: Before you start the deck, it's important to install some flashing to protect the siding of your house. Be sure to wear a pair of heavy gloves when working with flashing, which is heavy. The flashing has to be cut to fit under the doorframes, so be sure to measure the width of the door to know how much flashing to cut. The best way to work with flashing is to use tin snips or score it, then cut it off. You may have to remove nails to be able to slide the flashing under the siding. - Install flashing (figure B) around the entire perimeter where the deck meets the house. Bend two inches of the flashing at a 90-degree angle and cut out for any doorway or window frames. Nail into place.
- Install firring board to side of house so that the box sill will clear the mountain stone surface. Use a spacer (a piece of the same type decking that will be used on the deck) and place it (figure C) up against the bottom of the siding. Then attach the top of the box sill to that mark.
- Place a mark in the center of the box sill. This will be the location of the center beam.
Note: Before you start to build your deck, you'll need a temporary worktable. For that, you'll need a couple of sawhorses, which can be built out of scrap lumber (figure D). - Dig footers (if applicable) and pour with concrete.
Tip: Be sure to check with a local engineer to check the different sizes and weights of footers for your particular deck. According to what you plan to have on the deck (hot tub, for example), the size of the footers will vary. Safety Alert: Before cutting/sawing the joists, be sure to wear a mask and protective eyewear, especially if you're working with treated wood. - Cut joists to length and mark the joist locations along the box sill and beam. Cut a piece of 2 x 8 lumber the width of the deck and nail it into the box sill against the house. Then, on the other end, temporarily support the beam using a scrap piece of lumber and get the beam level (figure E).
Note: Before installing a joist, check for "crowning" (wood either has a natural arch or dip) and install boards with the "arch" facing up. - Before installing and nailing the joists, make sure they are flush with the beam (figure F). Install the joists using a pneumatic nail gun and then later install joist hangers.
- Notch out the corner support post and install the post temporarily onto the post anchor. Get the post level and plumb, and then trace an outline around the post anchor (figure G). Remove the post again and replace it with the temporary support.
- Drill a hole into the concrete the depth of the post anchor bolt. Place the post anchor over the hole and hammer in the anchor bolt, tightening the nut with an adjustable wrench. Then, replace the post, level and plumb one last time, and nail the post into the anchor. Repeat this process for each support post.
- Install joist hangers (figure H) on each end of every joist. Note that joist hangers "may" be a requirement by your local building code. They greatly increase the structural support and strength.
RESOURCES :
The Home Depot Information
To locate the Home Depot store nearest you, click here.
The Home Depot U.S.A. Inc.
Website: www.homedepot.com
The Complete Guide to Building Decks (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library)
ISBN: 0865734275
Author: Editors of Creative Publishing International
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Creative Publishing International, Inc.
Website: www.creativepub.com
Building a Deck: Expert Advice From Start to Finish (Taunton's Build Like a Pro)
ISBN: 1561584797
Author: Scott Schuttner
Order this title from Amazon.com.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
GUESTS :
Rob Vannoy
2008 Durham Rd.
Rising Fawn, GA 30738
Phone: 706-398-0616
Fax: 706-398-0917
Part owner
Graham Vannoy Construction Company
Hamilton Brock
975 Highway 157
Lookout Mountain, GA 30750
Phone: 706-398-0616
Graham Vannoy Builders
Sid Forrester
Senior Carpenter
Graham Vannoy Construction Company
See above for contact info
| ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: | | Build a Deck: Starting the Deck |
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