Building your deck is a fun and rewarding project that will add value to your home. It can be done on the weekend, with some help from friends or family members. There are many benefits of having a deck: it doubles as an outdoor living space and uses it to entertain guests, and most importantly, the view! Building one requires skill and patience; we’ve compiled six DIY tips to make building the ultimate deck smooth sailing.
Find a Level Space for your Deck
Finding a spot for your new deck can be frustrating. Before building, make sure the ground is level and clear of any vegetation or obstacles (rocks, tree stumps). If trees on your property need to stay where they are, consider building around them instead of removing them entirely.
Building a deck involves laying out concrete footings for the posts which will support it – so dig holes at least 16 inches deep with help from an assistant! Your local hardware store should have premixed bags of quick-drying concrete mix specifically cut for this purpose. You also want to pour one post hole every four feet along the perimeter of your deck’s exterior walls using a transit level tool to ensure all footing pads are perfectly even before pouring cement into each hole.
Decide on the Size of your Deck
Decks come in many different shapes and sizes, but the most common are square or rectangular. Before you start building, determine how much space is available for your deck, then measure out a rectangle that will fit perfectly to ensure there’s no wasted room!
Select Materials for your Deck
There are four different materials for your deck: wood, vinyl, composite, and metal.
Wood is the most traditional material for decks, but costs more than other materials. It also requires regular maintenance and repairs over time. You’ll want to search for a lumber company to find the best wood. Vinyl has a cheaper price tag compared to wood, with very little upkeep needed after installation since it doesn’t require staining or painting like wood does. If you want something different from vinyl decking boards , composite maybe your best option; its made of recycled plastics which means no splinters! Lastly, metal is another popular choice that will give off an industrial look- perfect if you’re trying to go rustic.
Plan how to Build the Frame for your Deck
The frame of your deck will hold up the flooring and anything else you add to it, like a roof or planters. To build one from scratch requires plenty of planning beforehand because once construction starts there’s no going back! Use framing tools to create an accurate blueprint for your deck which includes: footings, joists (the boards that support the sub-floor), rim board (also known as band board) around the perimeter, beams for extra support underneath each side of the deck), headers over stairway openings, posts on either end with smaller bracing pieces in between every few feet – all strategically placed at specific heights.
Design where the Stairs and Railings go
This step is all about planning for safety. Keep in mind that most building codes require a railing height of between 36-40 inches from the ground, and stairs must have at least three risers or steps – with one additional riser per 12 feet of distance traveled horizontally away from the home’s entrance to the deck.
Add Framing Boards or Joists to form the Deck
After you’ve decided on the size and layout of your deck, attach beams underneath to provide extra support. Then, nail wood or metal framing boards along each beam to create a grid-like pattern for your subflooring (also called joists) – this is what will hold up all of your floorboards!
Building a deck is one of the best ways to get your backyard ready for summer. Check out these 6 DIY tips from our experts, and permit yourself to have some fun this season! Installing a new deck can help you enjoy your outdoor space more, but it’s not always an easy project for everyone. The good news? You don’t need any special skills or tools to build a simple yet functional deck on your own—just follow these six steps below, and you will be set for success!
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