How to Build a Deck

Sitting on a rocking chair on your own deck and watching the sun kissing the sky goodnight is one of the best ways to relax and rejuvenate. Right now you must be thinking how lovely it would be if you could add deck to your house and enjoy the same pleasure, right? No problem! Adding a deck to your house is not too big a task, only you need to follow the right tips and give it some time. Start with deciding on the basic plan, taking the measurements and choosing the type of materials that you would be requiring. As for the following steps, for building a deck, just read the information given below.

How to Build a Deck

Items Needed

Ledgers
Lag Screws
Flashing (used only in case of a stucco house)
String Line
Concrete Footing (cast in place or pre-made)
Concrete Piers
Levels
Galvanized Nails
Hammers
Joist Hangers
Benches
Wooden Posts
Bulb Planters

Instructions

First of all, check out the area where you will build the deck, for any drainage or grading problems.
Do not disturb soil of the area in which the footings of the deck will be placed. Otherwise, the settling of the soil might create problems.
Place the ledger against the house wall, or other solid and flat structure, and attach with lag screws. In order to create a flat surface, you can make use of shims.
Install the flashing, only in case of a stucco house, between any wood and the house.
Using the string line, mark the foundation, followed by the footing and post locations.
Next, cast concrete footings in the ground. This should be followed by attaching of the concrete piers on top, so as to hold the posts.
Leave the footings for a week, so as to cure them properly.
Keeping the length a little longer then required, cut a post. Then, set it in the post anchor, on top of a pier.
Making use of a carpenter's level, check the post for plumb.
Mark the post, using a line level or water level, so that it is the same height as the bottom of the joists.
Set the post in place and secure it properly.
Repeat the steps in case of other posts also, marking and cutting to make up for height disparities.
With the help of nails, secure the beams in place and then attach any bracing, if required.
This is the time when you are required to add any rim joists. After adding them, make sure that they are square.
Decide on the deck pattern as well as the spacing of the deck boards.
Mark the location of the first joist, starting from one end of the ledger, and continue doing the same along the ledger.
Transfer the joist markings to a scrap piece of lumber. Thereafter, mark the beam opposite the ledger.
After adding joist hangers, fasten the joists in place. The joists should be fastened in such a way that the crown, or bowed side, faces up.
If you think that the joists are not stable enough, you can add blocking.
Set posts for railings, benches and overheads, followed by installation of the plumbing or wiring.
Next, you will be required to install railings that go through the deck.
This is one of the two times when you can put up the stairs. The other will be after the decking is finished.
If you want, you can apply protective finishes to the deck substructure.
Cut the decking boards and start laying them across the joists. Make sure to begin at the ledger and set the convex side up
Using nails or screws, secure the boards to the deck. As per the needs, add spacing between the boards.
If you want, you can adjust the width of the final board, as per your plan.
After putting the final board in place, trim off any long ends.
Any railings that sit outside the deck can be added now, along with the stairs (if they were not added earlier).
Put up benches and planters and finally, apply the protective finishes.

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