Building a Deck Addition

Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Build a Deck Addition

By Mark J. Donovan




Building a deck addition is a major endeavor. If you have aspirations to build a deck make sure to spend some upfront time with the deck design. Deck building also requires the proper construction tools and some serious brawn. One of the first things you need to do when kicking off a deck construction project is deciding upon the type of decking material to use. Pressure treated lumber is cheap and holds up fairly well but can look a little shabby. Composite decking on the other hand holds up very well and looks great, but it is very expensive.

It is also important to consider the size of the framing lumber require. Typically 2×6 to 2×10 framing is used, depending upon the size of the deck. Keep in mind that you will need to pull a permit when building a deck addition and the building inspector will need to review your deck design before issuing a permit.

Building the Deck Footings and Substructure

Actually building a deck addition starts at the footing level. Deck posts should rest on concrete pillars or footings that are sunk into the ground below the average annual frost line. The deck posts should be mechanically fastened to the concrete pillars or footings.

Deck floor joists.  A finished deck addition to the home.

 

Next mount the deck posts to the concrete pillars or footings and use temporary braces to hold them in place. Make sure the deck posts are plumb and level. After setting the deck posts, use a mason’s line to mark the level for trimming the deck post heights. Run the mason’s line from the top of the ledger board to each post and mark each post appropriately for cutting. Note that the height of each deck post should be equal to the ledger board minus the depth of the beam or band joist board that will set on the posts.

Use cross beams between deck posts to add additional strength to the deck substructure. Use lag screws or bolts to tie the cross beams into the deck posts.

Mounting the Deck Ledger Board

Once the footings or deck pillars and substructure are in place the main deck construction can begin. A ledger board is fastened to the home to support one end of the deck floor joists. The house siding and trim should be removed where the ledger board is to be fastened to the home. The ledger board should then be lag bolted to the home’s band joist. It’s important to include flashing above and below the ledger board before residing the house to prevent water from seeping behind the ledger board.

As an alternative to removing the house siding for the deck ledger board, there are mounting brackets that are now available that mount over existing clapboard siding. The mounting brackets are lag bolted into the band joist via the siding and then the ledger board attaches directly to the mounting brackets.

Deck Installation Bid Sheet

Installing Deck Floor Joists and Deck Railing Posts

Next install joist hanging brackets, on 16 inch centers, along the length of the ledger board and the beam or band joist. Then slide deck floor joists into the hangers and fastened them with non-corroding type nails.

After installing the deck floor joists, install the deck railing posts. To ensure solid deck railing posts use lap joints and lag screws or carriage bolts to secure the posts to the deck joists. Also, install additional framing blocks around the deck posts for added rigidity.

Installing Decking

The next step in building a deck addition is to install the decking boards. Start at the side adjacent to the home and work your way outwards. Make sure to properly space each decking board, per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Also, make sure to use non-corrosive fasteners when securing the decking boards to the deck floor joists.

Building Deck Stairs

If stairs are required in your deck construction project, use pre-fabricated stair stringers if possible. Stair stringers should be fastened to the deck band joist, via a 1 inch wide filler board. The stair stringers should be spaced at 16” centers.


Rest the bottom of the stringers on either a wide concrete pad or on individual concrete pavers. Adjust the height of the pad or pavers accordingly so that the stringers are level across each other. Then fasten decking boards to the stair stringers.

Building Deck Railings

With the deck posts already in place, all you need to do is build the deck railing members to slide in and install between the posts. There are many styles and ways to build deck railings. One of the easiest solutions is to install 2×4 rails between the deck posts near the top and bottom of the posts. Balusters can then be fastened either in between or to the outside edge of the 2×4 rails. If your desire balusters in between the 2×4 rails, first mount the balusters to lattice material, with the balusters properly spaced. Then simply fasten the baluster framework in between the deck rails using non-corroding nails or screws.

With the deck railings in place your deck addition is complete. Simply stain or paint it and it is ready for use.


For help on building a 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.

Related Information


Additional Deck Building and Design Resources


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