How to Build a Deck?

Decks serve as extensions of the house and are the place to relax and spent time with your friends and family. Building a deck is not a titanic task; you can build it yourself with the help of some basic ideas and tips. The primary things that are to be considered before starting the work are the zoning and the structure of the deck. Get the tools that are required like nails, screws, planters, hammers and hangers.

Tips to build a Deck

• The drainage and the grading are to be checked, in case of any problems they are to be fixed. When the footings are to be installed it should be done without disturbing the soil.
• The ledger has to be attached with lag screws and the level of the deck has to be checked and according to that the setting should be planned.
• Flashing has to be installed and it has to be done between any wood and the house except if the house is a stucco house.
• The foundation has to be made with the help of the string line and the footing and post locations are also to be marked.
• The concrete footings are to be cast in the ground and the concrete piers are to be attached on the top so that the pots can be held. The footings have to be given a week to settle down.
• Now the posts have to be cut and while cutting do cut them more than the length required and then the post anchor has to be set in on top of a pier.
• The height of the posts also have to be checked with a carpenter’s level and then the beams that are to be installed on the posts have to be cut according to the height and position where they are to be nailed on into the posts.
• Then the posts have to be placed in their respective positions.
• All the posts have to be cut in the same as the previous one and measured so that the joists can be placed accordingly.
• If in case of any joist braces are required then they also have to be braced at the necessary points.
• The pattern of decking has to be decided and the deck boards have to be placed accordingly.
• Now the beam hangers have to be added and the beams have to be fastened at the required places. Stability has to be provided where necessary by providing the blocks.
• Now the stairs have to be added or you can also add it at the end of building it.
• If the deck needs any kind of protective finishing you can apply it to the substructure.
• The decking boards also have to be cut according to the correct length and they have to be laid across the beams. You can cut long boards.
• Now the boards have to be fastened with the help of nails and screws. Do add spaces since wood has the tendency to inflate in the rainy season.
• Cut off any unnecessary ends when you have finished laying the boards and you can also add benches if you want to. Protective covering also has to be applied.