I have summarized these wood deck construction tips below.
Use of Concrete
Footing Pads
Concrete footing pads should be
installed to support the deck posts and the weight of the deck. The concrete
footing pads should be dug deep enough so that they are below the frost line for
your climate region. For example, in New England the concrete footing pads
should sit approximately 3-4 feet below the finished grade of the soil.
Attach Deck Posts
to Concrete Pads
Deck posts should be properly
fastened to the concrete footing pads using deck brackets. Fastening the deck
posts to the concrete footing pads provides deck rigidity and helps to prevent
the deck from racking.
Attaching Deck
Beams to Deck Posts
When constructing a deck, the deck
beams should be fastened to deck posts using either metal brackets or by
notching the deck posts to support the deck beams. Simply nailing or bolting a
deck beam to a deck post is a disaster waiting to happen, as the full weight of
the deck will rest solely on the strength of several nails or bolts. Keep in
mind that a deck can easily weigh a couple thousand pounds or more, particularly
when you have people and deck furniture sitting on it. |
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Proper Wood Deck
Construction and use of Deck Ledger Boards
If the wood deck is to attach to the
side of a home the deck ledger board should be bolted to the home’s sill plate.
The deck floor joists can then be attached to the deck ledger board using metal
joist hanger brackets, or rest on a ledger strip that is fastened to the bottom
edge of the ledger board.
Securing Deck
Railing Posts
Deck railing posts should be fastened
to deck floor joists and blocked in so that they are rock solid. Deck posts
should be completely vertical and rigid for both safety and proper wood deck
construction.
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Diagonal Deck
Bracing
Diagonal bracing should be installed
underneath the deck to ensure the deck will not rack or twist as this type of
action can cause the deck to collapse.
Wood Deck
Construction and Deck Floor Joist Spacing
Deck floor joists should be spaced no
further apart then 16 inches on-center. Depending upon the span and size of the
deck floor joists, 12 inches on center may be more appropriate.
Wood Decking
Installation
Wood decking boards should be
installed with adequate spacing to allow water to drip down between the deck
boards.
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Wood Deck
Construction and Railings
Deck railings and balusters should be
constructed per your local building code, both in terms of railing height and
spacing between balusters.
Constructing Deck
Stairs
All deck stairs should have proper
railings, and standard step height and depths. Having too high of a step, or
even worse, inconsistent step heights can lead to personal injury.
With these fundamental wood deck
construction tips, your chances of now constructing a deck of quality
performance and appearance are significantly increased.
For help on building a new Deck, see HomeAdditionPlus.com's
Deck Installation Bid Sheet.
The
Deck Installation Bid Sheet
will teach your how to hire the right deck contractor, and help to ensure that your
deck project is completed on time and budget.
How to Finance your Deck Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Addition Deck Information
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