A deck can transform your backyard into an outdoor dining, socializing and entertaining area. It’s important to carefully select a location that balances sun exposure, views, privacy and access from your home.
Before you start building, make sure your contractor has the necessary permits to build your deck. For professional help, contact Mount Joy Company LLC.
When building a deck, it is important to have all necessary permits obtained and follow local building codes. This helps prevent complications down the road and adds value to your home. It is also recommended to work closely with your contractor to create a project timeline that takes into account inclement weather and other unforeseen issues that could affect the schedule.
Before starting construction, the site must be cleared and prepped for the deck. This includes removing grass, weeds and existing structures. Clearing the area and ensuring that it is level will help prevent foundation problems later on. This may require grading or excavation to ensure that the deck will sit at the proper grade for stability.
Once the area is prepped, the piers and footings will be installed. These are essential to transfer the deck’s weight into the soil to avoid heave and frost damage. Before digging, it is a good idea to check with the local utility companies to see if there are any underground services in the vicinity of your deck. It is also a good idea to lay down landscaping fabric to prevent weeds and keep moisture out of the soil.
After the piers and footings are in place, the deck frame can be erected. One pro tip is to use a guide when cutting deck boards to ensure that they are all straight and uniformly spaced. This will give the deck a professional look.
When it comes to securing deck boards, April suggests using stainless steel screws instead of galvanized to minimize corrosion and extend the life of the deck. She also recommends using a tool to line up the screw placement to ensure consistency.
Post Holes
To make sure the deck is secure and properly supported, the posts must be set into concrete footings. To do this, first dig a hole for each post, using a power auger or hand auger, at least 6 inches deeper than your area’s frost line. Shovel a layer of gravel in the bottom of each hole to help with drainage. Repeat the process for each of the corner stakes.
If you live in a cold region, it is usually advised to go even further below the frost line to avoid the possibility of freezing and heaving. This type of shifting can lift your deck and in extreme cases, detach it from your house, which is both dangerous and expensive to repair.
After digging each post hole, use a level to ensure it is vertically plumb, or straight up and down. Check the string layout again to make sure it lines up with your original deck plans. If you need to change the height of a post, do it now before installing the beams and joists.
Deck builders often prefer to use buried concrete post footings, which are less labor intensive than pouring a concrete footing from the surface. To do this, dig a hole of the appropriate size, then shovel 6 inches of gravel in the bottom of each hole. Position a cylindrical concrete footing form in the hole, then use a pen or pencil to mark a spot a few inches above ground level on the outside of the form.
Once the post is positioned, a sleeve anchor can be installed. The packaging will tell you the correct drill bit to use, as well as how deep to drive the sleeve anchor.
Pouring Concrete
The deck is heavy and the footings must be strong enough to transfer that weight into the soil. The more extensive and higher a deck is, the stronger it needs to be. If the deck is built over a basement, or on a second floor of the house, even more support is required to prevent the structure from shifting or falling down.
To be safe, you should use concrete for your deck footings rather than other materials such as wood or metal. Pouring concrete requires some skills and knowledge, but isn’t difficult to do if you follow the process carefully. Some of the skills involved include mixing concrete, taking accurate measurements, and handling a shovel or auger. You’ll also need personal protection gear, including a dust mask and safety glasses.
It’s worth noting that pouring concrete for a deck may require a building permit. It’s also likely that a building inspector will come out to inspect your deck footing holes before you can finish the job. This is because the size and layout of your deck footings must match the plans you submit to obtain a permit.
If your deck is going to be attached to your home, you’ll need to install a ledger board at the side of your house that will attach the sheathing on your deck to the frame of the house. The ledger board must be anchored to the house frame by using lag bolts, and it should extend past the house siding or veneer so it can withstand the shear force of the deck.
Many homeowners ask whether they can pour a concrete overlay over their existing wooden deck. This isn’t a recommended approach, for several reasons. First, the condition of your existing deck may already be so bad that it cannot support the concrete. In addition, since wood absorbs moisture and expands and contracts at different rates and temperatures than concrete does, combining the two can lead to structural failures later on.
Building the Deck
A deck is a space for entertaining, relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. It can be built on a freestanding basis, attached to the house or around a feature like a pool.
Building a deck requires attention to details to make sure it’s safe and long-lasting. A well-built deck can last 20 years or more, making it an excellent investment for your home.
If you’re planning a new deck, consult with an experienced contractor to determine what size and style is right for your property and lifestyle. It’s best to use materials that complement the home architectural style, and are easy to clean and maintain. Wood remains a popular choice for decking. It’s affordable, offers the warmth and beauty of real wood and takes stain and other finishes well.
To ensure your deck is sturdy and able to withstand weathering and the elements, follow a few best practices when building its substructure and installing surface decking. You’ll need to secure a building permit if your municipality requires it, and choose the proper substructure construction and joist spacing for your deck design and materials.
When installing the deck planks, be careful to check for square ends, and avoid miter joints where possible. Wood moves too much to hold a tight miter cut, and it’s easier to trim the edge than trying to smooth it out with a power sander or chisel. Spacing between planks should be about 1/4″ to allow for expansion and contraction of the material during rain, high humidity and other conditions. If you must trim a board or leave a gap, try to hide it where it won’t be noticed–away from the doorway, behind a planter or bench, or in a low traffic area of the deck.
Finishing
After the deck’s skeleton is set, it’s time for the boards to be installed. Decks can be constructed of a variety of materials, from natural wood to composite or vinyl. A common material is pressure-treated lumber, which offers good durability and a warm look that complements many styles of home.
Before the boards are put in place, they must be inspected for water damage and other potential problems. Once they’re ready to go, the contractor can start installing the railings and stairs, as well as any other features discussed during the planning process.
One of the most critical parts of any construction project is site preparation, which includes clearing the area for the deck and ensuring that it’s level. Uneven terrain can lead to structural problems later, so it’s important to get this step right.
During the framing phase, the joists and beams that will hold up the deck are built. This is where the deck really begins to take shape, and it’s crucial that your contractor pays attention to quality in this phase so that your new deck is built to last.
Once the framing and decking are in place, it’s time to finish the deck. This is where you’ll want to choose a high-quality stain or sealer in a color that compliments the rest of your house and yard. The best choice is an oil-based stain that combines traditional linseed oil with alkyds, a synthetic alternative that resists yellowing. This type of stain also penetrates the wood better than a water-based finish, and it’s easier to recoat. A brush or low-pressure sprayer should be used to apply the stain, but it’s a good idea to back-brush behind the sprayer to avoid puddles and work the stain into the grain.