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The DuraLife Site says, “In the outdoor
construction business, the off-seasons of late fall and early spring
can be the best time to build a new composite deck.”
They list the following reasons:
- Homeowners can do in-depth research and know
they are hiring the best contractor to design and build the
deck.
- Many contractors who specialize in building
outdoor living spaces aren’t as busy, and have more availability
to meet, discuss the project and complete the work.
- The builders and crews may be able to provide
better service during this time because of their lighter
workload.
- Contractors may be more willing to
“negotiate” on prices.
- The landscape is less impacted during the
fall.
Whenever you build the deck of your chosen
design, there are several steps to follow for constructing a
deck that will last many years.
Ron Pillers of West Coast Deck explains step-by-step
instructions for building a deck. First, the deck is attached to
the house with a ledger board, which is a lumber beam. Special
fasteners will hold and secure the board to the frame of the
interior house. Flashing put behind the board will prevent water
from getting behind the board and causing damage.
The floor joists will need to be attached to the ledger board
with a joist hanger to prevent them from dropping or pulling
away from the ledger board. He suggests spacing joists either 16
inches apart on center or 12 inches on center.
To get the framework level, temporary supports are built and
footings poured last. If pouring footings first, you must be
careful with the level. It is important to get the posts
sturdily in the ground and completely level.
Pillers then shows how the post is connected to the beam. It is
treated to avoid rot.
Pillers shows how to dig and pour concrete footings, though pier
blocks work too. The crew digs down sixteen inches or so and
tries to avoid the wood contacting the ground unless absolutely
necessary.
The crew uses triple galvanized metal components because the
framing material has copper in the solution and regular steel
would rust over time.
See how he does it at
https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=xOv4RG2H4jw
If your site is in a floodplain, a free-floating deck might be a
good option.
Bob Vila of This Old House demonstrates how to build this type
of deck, which is not attached to a house. Vila says it is
almost like a 12 x 15 foot coffee table sitting on little legs.
The one he builds is set on the concrete of an old carport.
Post brackets made of galvanized metal are used to attach the
deck to the concrete and a stub cut nail holds the bracket in
place with a solid grip. The small posts will be positioned in
these brackets.
Metal joist hangers are used to attach the deck boards to the
posts and are spaced16 inches apart. Once the joist hangers are
in place, the deck can be assembled.
Vila recommends using lumber that is nice and straight.
Dimensional lumber is not always straight and has what is called
a crown which might sag in one direction or the other. If there
is any sag, it should face down with the crown facing up so when
the load on the deck floor adjusts it will flatten out evenly.
Once all the lumber is in place, 12 penny nails are used right
through the ends with two on each side of the joist hanger. The
nails up against each other will keep the deck from wobbling.
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A tongue and groove floor solidly butted together is
used instead of spacing the floor boards far enough apart for
rainwater to go through. The place where the tongue meets the
grooves goes in the same direction as the pitch of the floor and
rainwater can run right off.
If the tongue is damaged in any of the boards, discard them. For
some of the grooves, you may need to trim off the edge. The board
may overhang about half an inch. On the floor boards, a galvanized
finish nail is used and a powered nail gun helps get the nails down.
A flooring nailer that puts in a cut nail with a flat profile that
will grip and each time the tool drives nails through, it brings the
two boards close together.
For the ends of the deck that need to be trimmed, a saw can be used
to make a straight cut.
See the process they use at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBUZYK-GT4U
It is important for the deck to be durable with a strong foundation
and framing.
Matt Risinger of the Build Show gives tips for building a durable
deck.
Risinger says the foundation and framing must be right. He warns
that water can kill decks, so keeping the deck dry is important.
Risingers first piece of advice is to choose lumber carefully.
Copper infused into wood is a great choice because it keeps wood
preserved over time.
Second, space the ledger board against the area where you are
building the deck. Near a pool where he is building a deck, Risinger
attaches the ledger board to concrete attached to a pool deck. He
first takes three stainless steel fender washers, then epoxies
dowels in to attach to the ledger board. The ledger board is bolted
on to the dowels, leaving a small gap between the board and the
concrete. Risinger says the gap makes the ledger easier to dry
because moisture will not be trapped against the concrete.
Third, for posts, Risinger says using an above grade concrete pier
and metal post base is important for setting wood off the ground. An
end sealer is also needed.
Fourth, Joist tape helps protect the deck. Putting the tape on top
of joists and ledger board reduces the amount of water the boards
will soak up, which helps them last longer.
Fifth, joist spacing is important. Risinger says most decks are
framed on 16 inch centers, but he uses 12 inch centers to give it
really good support and durability.
Risinger says following these deck tips will make a deck that will
last up to 50 years.
Hear these tips at
www.m.youtube. com/watch/V-VK6OESSpmrl
No matter what approach you take, knowing the right steps for
planning, designing, and building a deck will give you an outdoor
space that you can enjoy for many years.
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