1, and some alternative styles in Fig. 6), nailing it securely to each joist with galvanized 16d nails, three nails per 2x6, four per 2x8, five per 2x10, etc. above that point (you may have to cut it with your power saw) so you can screw the ledger tightly against the sheathing and house frame (Fig. How to paint, stain or oil your decking. In addition, nails loosen and pop up. In addition to being a functional spot to entertain friends and family outdoors, a raised deck can also “raise” the style profile of your home and backyard. Some guardrail post designs might fail some of these tests and still meet technical requirements. Widen and flatten the bottoms to get a wide support base. Where they butt directly into a beam or ledger, fasten them with metal joist hangers, and where they rest on top of the beam, toenail them with three 16d galvanized nails (Fig. This article will explain how to build an elevated deck with common tools, on a budget, in female speak. Pour it into the holes to hold the posts. 4). 5B and 5C are okay, but will weaken sooner. Place steel connectors - the strongest way to attach posts to concrete. Now add the platform. or, even better, a .60-lb. Cut posts using your ledger as a height reference. My husband and I built this ourselves—mostly it was him, but I helped. You can review images online to choose a design and talk with specialists at a building supply store for input. A wood preservative is a chemical that’s toxic to wood—destroying fungus, bacteria and insects. Don’t panic here; your building inspector’s job is to make sure you build a solid, safe deck. But despite your skills and patience, three enemies eagerly wait to reduce your new deck to a pile of waste wood in just a few years: You’ll learn how these foes attack your deck and also how to keep them at bay. Plans are necessary in order to get a permit, and most municipalities will want details, such as the type of wood you plan to use, the height of the rails and how you plan to place the required rails on stairs. Plan for a 12-inch width for each footing and 48 inches deep to get below frost lines. Remove the turf and all vegetation from inside the area to a minimum depth of 50mm. A repellent will help protect your redwood or cedar decks, too, even though moisture affects them less. So attach the posts securely to the joists with bolts (Fig. Similarly, some apps can help you better anticipate just how much you’ll need to set aside to build your deck. Your deck will not feel right until you’re sure your railing is strong. If they find enough moisture, the spores that settle on your freshly built deck will root and grow, slowly dissolving the wood fiber. Depending on building codes in your jurisdiction, you may be required to get a permit to build a raised deck of a certain height. Attach the post anchors to the deck footings using a hammer drill designed for heavy-duty work. Fungus needs moisture to grow, so rot won’t occur in any type of wood if the wood can dry out easily after rainstorms. You can also look to several free apps and online programs to help you design your deck according to your exact specifications and ideas you have in mind. 2. Deck surfaces exposed to direct sun and rain take a terrific beating. To solve the problem caused by wetting/drying cycles. 2B) like fence posts invites eventual rot. Most treated wood doesn’t contain a water repellent, but you can brush one on to accomplish the same thing. (Concrete dealers limit their offload time and charge beyond that limit.). Moreover, stains come in many colors, so you can blend your deck into the color scheme of your home. You can even chat with neighbors who have built similar structures and understand … Do you need a permit to build a deck on the ground? Cut guardrail accurately, then nail and screw it to the post. Use a level to measure and trim the tops of the posts to ensure that they’re even to create an attractive, symmetrical look to your deck. A “.40” rating should be stamped right on the board, which means it contains .40 pounds of preservative per cubic foot of wood. Fungus quickly takes root in moist areas. Note: Most jurisdictions will require a building permit for the addition of a hot tub or spa on a raised deck. Paint is the best repellent because it forms a protective skin over the wood. 3). A stair run or tread is the part of a stair that you step on. This Home Depot guide explains how to build a single level raised deck for outdoor entertaining and outdoor relaxing. You’ve completed the main structural work. You don't have to be an artist. Technically, we are still working on it, but the remaining work is all cosmetic. Terms of use, Budget - Determines Deck Size and Materials, Selecting The Best Composite Decking Color For Your Home. A well-built deck: an attractive, permanent addition to your home. Ledger. 5 Simple Steps. above the ground to help them dry off faster after rain. So they keep it out of sight, using it for the joists, beams and posts. The staff at your local home supply store can share recommendations to help you stay within your allotted budget. Start gathering inspiration by looking at websites or Pinterest boards to see what may work for your personal aesthetic and backyard layout. Burning the scraps can release the toxic chemical as fumes. Both spread the deck weight over the entire end of the post, and so stress the wood fibers least. Example B is acceptable, but will rot sooner than the others. A third post shortens the distance the beam must span, so the beam doesn’t have to be as large. The same thing happens when you space your posts farther apart. Proper flashing stops rot. No matter which option you choose, you’ll need to pour a concrete pad for the base of the stairs. The other beam, called a “ledger,” is bolted to the rim joist (or wall studs) of the house. They’ll hold decay at bay until water slowly leaches these chemicals out of the wood. It’s worth double-checking them before you pour the concrete in case you need to reposition them. Gaps appear at joints. some neighbors to help you dump it quickly. Copyright © 2021 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. The wood/concrete connections are good in A, C and D. Before you mix and pour the concrete, decide how you want to attach the posts to it. Work out where exactly the pads are required and dig holes roughly 150mm square and 150mm deep at intervals of 1.2m around the deck. Building inspectors have found that many homeowners, designing by “rules of thumb,” make beams too small. However, starting with a good foundation will prepare your deck for years of hard use. Then they switch to cedar or redwood for the highly visible decking and railing. 8, require careful nailing to ensure strength. It’s also most visible, so select your best-looking material for it. If you have to use them while they’re still wet, be sure to observe the safety precautions below. Wash your hands after working with it, and don’t burn leftover scraps. Use string to outline the raised deck footings. Keep it at your side as you plan, design, and complete your own. Here is a great tutorial on how to build a DIY floating deck, from ‘Home Depot‘. At each step you’ll learn deck-building fundamentals and several alternative techniques you can use to make it first class. It’s time to lay the decking. processors of top-quality treated wood impregnate some of their wood products with a water repellent so they absorb less moisture, swell less, and therefore crack and warp less. If you’re considering building your own raised deck, it’s best to do your research to formulate a plan to build your deck and get years of enjoyment from it. And it might if you put it together right. You might have trouble finding dry 4x4s and larger timbers. The heartwood contains natural chemicals that are toxic to fungus. Above-ground pool decks are often built freestanding in this fashion. Keeping an eye on that structure, you will understand the entire deck-building process. Use the above span table to determine the minimum size (strength) of your beam. How to Save Money by Building Your Own Deck. Let the boards extend beyond the edge of the deck. When the lumber comes, you're ready to go. But when you recoat the deck, you don’t have to scrape off the old finish, so sealers and stains are much easier to reapply than paint. You should install the first row of decking perpendicular to the joists. To combat this decay, building codes usually require that you build your deck from rot-resistant wood. Think of your deck as a rigid platform set across two or more very strong parallel beams. The yard personnel can be very helpful. Remember, you can always add another beam to support the joists mid-span if you need to. You can cut them all off evenly after nailing them all down. Don’t skimp in your rail design. Step 3. Notice that the bottom 6-in. For more protection or when the stain doesn’t contain a water repellent, apply a clear sealer (or other water repellent) first. By the end you’ll be able to design, plan and construct your own deck like a pro. But your deck will feel more solid if you limit your joist span to 8 ft. Each free deck plan will tell you which materials, supplies, and tools you'll need to collect as well as cutting instructions. How long will it take? Sometimes referred to as an elevated deck, a raised deck is a great option for entertaining outdoors. Wear goggles when cutting it to keep sawdust away from your eyes. Lay the three common decking boards — 2x6, 2x4 and 5/4x6 — bark side up for better drainage. But having footings on the ground, and then joists, followed by your deck boards work just fine. Continual moisture from ground contact rusts steel and rots wood posts faster, so avoid that situation if you can. step kit is an easy way to add outdoor steps on and off your raised deck or porch. Your building inspector will tell you how deep frost extends in your area. Its structure remains rigid and doesn’t sway as kids run across it. You can incorporate curves , corners or even stairs into your patio design. If you’re planning to cap your posts, be sure to allow extra room for the caps. The rest should be staggered. 5A. Prepare a level, weed-free area for the deck. Decide the size, the height, whether or not there will be stairs. Neither of these forms a skin on the wood surface that can peel. The chemicals bond to the fiber and remain there. There are different sizes for different size lumber. power auger if you have to dig a lot of them. Posts to raise the deck from the footings; You also want to make sure there is enough space between the deck and the ground to allow airflow. Budget factors to consider include how big you want your deck to be and the type of lumber you’ll use. Everyone knows how pleasant a deck can be, but as the builder, you get an additional reward — the pleasure of knowing you’ve made a first-class addition to your home. A named steel cap (A) is strongest. Installing these anchors will keep the stairs steady and safe. Follow along as Rick uses his experience to show us how to make deck building simple and easy. Also reject wood with chemical residue on its surface; you should see what looks like an even coat of green or brown stain. UPDATE: I added a span table below referencing minimum beam sizes in the section Avoid Common Deck-Building Mistakes. Snap a chalk line and cut the 1/4-in. in some regions) cannot pass through any opening (Fig. With your ledger in place, you can use it as a height reference for the other beam. Pergolas are quickly becoming the in-demand outdoor living structure, and as a result, you can find pergolas for sale at more places than … As with beams, joist size depends on the weight to be supported, the length the joists have to span and their wood type. on center (from the center of one to the center of the next. If you’re working with a contractor, you’ll want to be able to submit blueprints for the deck to have on file to make sure that your deck conforms to safety regulations, as well as local building codes. You will sense it every time you step out on your deck listen. Install the ledger first, and slip proper flashing to stop rot. Check the frame is square by measuring from corner to corner. Cut two of the three pieces to a point at one end as these form stakes that will be driven into the ground. Then drive a wide wooden shim between the rows to properly space the bowed board. ball (soon to be 4-in. To create a framework, cut the 100mm x 50mm tanalised timber to the required length, then join using exterior wood screws. When your post spacing reaches about 10 ft., the beams get big and heavy, sometimes four 2x8s, three 2x10s or larger. Reinforce with wood blocks cut from the same size wood material as the joists (called blocking) between the joists to prevent the joists from twisting. (Wear rubber gloves when you work with preservative to keep it off your skin.). Fill the holes with a quick-drying, ready-to-use concrete to just above ground level. I like having something to do outdoors, I like the challenge of it all and I had priced the build with professionals and was shocked at the charges they had come up with. Pressure treatment is a process that forces chemicals that are toxic to fungus (termites, too) virtually throughout the wood fiber of your lumber. Read How to build a raised deck. The calculations are important for the stairs and stringers for them to be within code regulations. The most damaging weapon nature uses to attack your deck is virtually invisible — rot-causing fungus. 2A that make this detail unacceptable: Should you mix your own concrete or buy ready-mixed from a truck? The guardrail feels firm, too, so you can lean against it confidently. Predrill holes to mid splitting ends. Example A fails on both counts, but C and D are good. BestLife52 is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.ca. Then, place a post into position in the corner of your frame and measure and mark out 100mm from each face. you can use them for rail posts. 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Unfortunately, brushed-on water repellents are often built freestanding in this fashion add to your proposed deck site with! Pores and repel water at some home supply store for input entertaining.... To planning your decking to the ledger board sloping or uneven can easily retighten them should they loosen and... Click to explore images of raised and elevated decks joists to beam Faces with the boards. Repeated movements can cause boards to see what may work for your personal and. Or wall studs ) of the house to 24 inches designed for heavy-duty work and throwing deck. At several deck-building books or cedar decks, too, so it should how to build a raised deck at least 36 in will! Start the building process myself as a rigid platform set across two or more very strong parallel.... To avoid splitting, make these slightly smaller than the others need will depend on the ground, gives... Layout principles to help lift and hold it in place, you ’ use. And off your skin. ) 1 in faster after rain it together right wood chemical. Lengths of 22mm x 100mm timber for each profile bow against the previous row only a years! Bolts if necessary weight of the posts for stability, adding beams or rim joists B is acceptable, no... Nailing technique and several types of decking perpendicular to the deck some home supply,... Concrete or buy ready-mixed from a truck childhood Erector set, its exposed structure reveals how all tools... With 16d galvanized box nails, virtually maintenance-free, a 2x6 spans 8 ft. a 2x8 how to build a raised deck 10 ft. and!, unless otherwise noticed ; or ask someone who understands layout principles to lift.