With only 3/4-in. tile spacers between your boards, and add two screws per joist. Philips Bugle-Head Coarse Thread Sharp Point Polymer Coated Exterior Screw (1 lb./Pack) - 205318083, 4.8 Amp Corded Variable Speed Orbital Jig Saw - 205105611, the perfect place for outdoor entertaining. For more details and tips for creating a cozy and intimate space in your own backyard, see my new deck reveal here on The Home Depot Blog. It makes everything look planned and polished. My deck came in under $900, since all I paid for was lumber, cement, and screws. Had I ever used a miter saw before? That can cause problems, especially with wood decks. Did I screw more screws in a 48-hour period than my entire life combined? Concrete How to Cut Concrete and Pavers. I highly recommend it! She created this simple deck to help make her backyard the perfect place for outdoor entertaining. And, I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of the Hampton Bay Mill Valley Collection. By placing the deck blocks carefully at the outset, a deck can be quickly assembled in a matter of hours. Choose the materials to make your deck from. We like to keep things simple, which is why this deck material calculator estimates materials for a ground level deck without stairs or a railing. Leave a three-inch step. It will make sure all your wood is the same height and also give those rough 2 x 4s a beautiful, smooth finish. Building a Deck Near a Retaining Wall. I wanted mine as low to the ground as possible, (mostly because I didn’t want stairs) so I dug down the cement deck piers closest to my house several inches, and the piers away from my house didn’t need to be dug at all. One way to build a ground level deck with simple construction, without breaking the bank, is to use prefabricated deck blocks for your foundation. Then check out our tips and checklists for hiring a deck builder. From the friendly staff, to all of their tools, and the ideas on their Pinterest page, Home Depot really does have everything you need to make a big project, like a DIY deck! And of course, the two largest staple-pieces to the whole thing is the stunning deck furniture and overhanging umbrella. But it has the same structural elements as any deck—ledger, joists, beams and piers. First off, this is very possible to accomplish on your own! Step 1: Create your deck plan! According to an old saying, every man must build a house, plant a tree and raise a son…. The first job is to familiarize yourself with the International Residential Code for decks, which can be downloaded free of charge here from the American Wood Council.Most communities accept the IRC guidelines, though you might want to call your local building department to be sure. How to Build a Floating Deck from DIY … Better than Footings. Pour Concrete After mixing a batch of concrete, shovel it into the holes and lop off the excess using a spare wood stake (Image 1). Because this is all about how to build your own deck, and make … The traditional way most builders go about building a deck is to randomly stagger joints. How to Stain Soft Woods with Varathane Premium. Absolutely. The advantages are many. For corners, deck blocks are built to accommodate 90 degree angles. If your deck railings are also causing you stress, here’s how to fix them. Also sand off the edges of the end-caps you just added to make those corners a little smoother. This guide will give you step-by-step instructions and some safety tips to help you learn how to build a raised deck. If you want to make your low-level deck as inexpensive and simple as possible, follow what I did! UPDATE: Avoid Common Deck-Building Mistakes. One side is constructed on the ground complete with both top rail, bottom rail, and pickets and finished when placed between porch columns. If the screws stick out, people may trip or snag their shoes as they walk. You do NOT want your wood touching the ground, so make sure the wood-slots aren’t too low in the ground that this will happen. Then find links, demos and more for how to build a deck yourself step by step. I used these Edison bulb outdoor lights, and these rattan lights to add variety, some gorgeous plants in terra cotta pots. Go back through every screw and make sure they are flush with the wood, or even indented a bit. We Recommend. Hand Planer - 205509610, 8-Piece High-Density Polyester Knit Paint Tray Kit - 100064287, #9 x 3 in. To do so, measure and cut each joist one at a time, in case there are any slight differences between the distances of your cement piers. I used a weatherproofing stain/seal on mine, and I’m already so happy with it! And it was worth every scary moment because now I have the most beautiful deck, for an amazing price, and I also learned so many new skills along the way. Materials for deck boards range from the tropical Hardwood Ipe and plastic to the more traditional redwood, cedar and pine. It’s faster than random seaming; all decking ends have a full 1-1/2-in. apart on-center. And you don’t have to spend five minutes cranking each one in with a ratchet. Build a Basic Deck The easiest deck to build is an on-grade deck. Which is to use 2 x 6 pressure-treated beams spaced 24 in. How to Build a Deck? It allows you to change the angle, which will be amazing for those long, hot summer afternoons. gaps at the ends so end grain can dry out after it gets wet. Why build your own deck? Deck blocks are ready to have the edge of a 2 x 6 placed into it. of framing, so it cuts down on fastener splits; and you can leave 1/4-in. The result is that end-to-end deck boards share the 1-1/2-in. Adding a deck can add significant value to your home as well. In the meantime, kick things off with our deck building … The vertical deck board is for looks only. It is steel-reinforced, weather-proof, and it’s actually quite comfortable as well! Often, adding a deck is significantly less expensive to add outdoor living space with a deck than it is to add an addition to your home. We recommend our users to update the browser. Some boards are a little warped, and may need two people holding it in place as you get the first few outdoor deck-screws in each board. Building a full-service deck with all of the bells and whistles may look simple when it's shown on fast-forward on a home show. Tell us a little bit about you and we'll find articles to fit your tastes. Leave the area for the staircase free … When we order 4x4s over the phone and need eights, we always order tens to reduce the chances of getting 4×4 leftovers from peelers. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms of Use which constitute a legal agreement between you and, 2 in. The house and its owner will be a lot happier in the long run. Building one begins with determining the sizes of the framing material. It’s simply strategically placing a seam (or seams, on bigger decks) and using the same length boards for each section. You can drive them with any 18-volt screw gun without predrilling — they don’t split wood. DIY Network has a completely free plan that will help you complete a DIY deck in just a few days. How to Build a Magic the Gathering Deck: Many new Magic the Gathering players just buy the starter decks and think that they are good. Of course, everything depends on the design and the homeowner. and build a deck 😉 I’ve planted a lot of trees, I have a son, I built a shed (it can count as a house), now it’s time to learn how to build a deck. The price may shock you (they cost four times as much), but you’ll never go back to lags. Crews of workers magically transform empty backyards into multi-level decks within minutes. To start, just select some of the options below. Place gravel at the bottom of each footing to minimize sliding. See more DIY projects here on The Home Depot Blog, and follow our Easy DIY Projects board on Pinterest. And, I didn’t have to cut any corners— I ended up with a stunning deck that is now ready to enjoy for the entire summer, and it only took a couple of days of work! I love that saw so much! The bragging rights are unparalleled! I used pine because I couldn’t find Douglas Fir in that size. Anatomy of a Deck An on-grade deck—one built just above the ground—doesn't require posts, steps, or railings. apart on-center. Here’s our guide for all things treated lumber. How to Build a Frame Around a Bathroom Mirror 10 Photos. Whenever possible, use simple butt joints. DECK PLANNING 101 Before you draw up the blueprints, know the basics—from deck building materials to codes and permits. It's much easier just to purchase a set of metal outdoor steps at the hardware store and bolt them on instead of building them from wood. thickness of each joist. Construction screws may look wimpy, but they’re actually stronger than lags. And since the board ends have to be tight, untreated wood will rot. Alexi had no specialized skills for building a deck, but she’s a fearless DIYer, and she produced this simple and sturdy deck without spending a lot of money. I did three thin coats to get that bright, white color. See our How to Design a Deck Easy As guide & video, this will take you through the process step by step.. But think about it next time to figure out the best approach. You may also need to use a jig saw like this Ryobi jig saw to cut around drain pipes, or fencing on the edge of your deck like I did. If you want to make your low-level deck as inexpensive and simple as possible, follow what I did! Not so with deck stairs. Building a Deck Just Got Easier. One that I am so happy to have accomplished, if nothing else for the amount of money that it saved me! This is where all the magic happens, and all the amazing products I decorated with from The Home Depot really made this whole project come together. With only 3/4-in. Install the railing kit according to the manufacturer's instructions and determine where a staircase will be installed. If, for example, I’m building a composite deck, 12- and 20-ft. lengths might be the only options. Building a deck is the ultimate backyard DIY project. Also, don’t re-bury those deck piers until you have them all laid in your backyard, just in case you need to change a few. Then, go back over each screw and give it a little bit of sanding to fix some of the splinters that will inevitably appear, since we are working with a natural product. I didn’t just want any square or rectangular deck, I wanted something special. Of course, you know it won’t, but you want to believe that you did such a good job that it’ll outlive the house and certainly the neighbor’s deck. And more importantly, you can save so much money! Simple notched stair jacks are fine for interior stairs. Storm doors have to bulldoze their way through leaves in the fall. If your deck calls for concrete piers or footings set in the ground, call 811 before you dig. Miters will always open up unevenly, and your perfect miter will look like a hack job in no time. That allows for one-inch overhangs and cutting off some bad ends. Building a deck 24' wide by 16' out from the house using the same design as shown in the article above would basically take two more posts. YES! This in depth section will teach DIY builders to frame a deck, from installing a ledger board and frost footings to framing the perimeter of the deck. Seaming also works well for solid composite decking, which comes in fewer lengths. And because there isn’t much meat to attach posts or pickets to, you’ll have wobbly handrails, too. 2. If you don’t want to design your own deck, you can get a Licensed Building Practitioner or an … Here’s why you should be careful when selecting 4×4 lumber. I am not a professional carpenter or contractor, but this project is easy enough to do. Avoid digging near any … Since this wood is not typical decking-wood, you need this extra step to keep the wood from rotting and decomposing any sooner. But if you are adventurous enough, and have a few extra hands, building your very own deck is very possible! Close-up of deck seam. There are many ways to build a deck. How to Host a Stock-the-Garage Wedding Shower 15 Photos. How to Build a Deck: Design and Layout The first step in building your dream deck is to create a plan. of nailing surface, fasteners will cause ends to split. (Just don’t underestimate the amount of time it takes to drill 768 screws!) Naked, notched treated-wood stair jacks are unattractive and wobbly. I have to mention the Ryobi miter saw I used was amazing for these large joists. This is particularly true of eight-footers because those are often the leftovers from “peeling logs,” the outer layers of which have been shaved off to make plywood veneer. To build a deck railing, start by figuring out how many posts you need, then cut your wood to size and install the posts. A backyard deck is an excellent way to expand outdoor living space, but decks can be complicated, time consuming and pricey. Need tools and materials fast? And it might if you put it … Then, buy balusters and wood according to your measurements or cut the wood down to … Was it a little scary purchasing hundreds of dollars of lumber for a project I’d never attempted before? Building a Deck: It's time to go all out. Someone who actually reads how-to manuals? Step 1 - Review the Preliminaries. of nailing surface, fasteners will cause ends to split. Wood installed outdoors immediately starts shrinking — or in some conditions, expanding — mostly in width. It is so extremely rewarding to stand on a deck that you have created with your own two hands. Are you the do-it-for-me kind of homeowner? Order before noon for convenient scheduled same-day delivery. Remember you only have to plane one side (the side that will be seen)! Before allowing the concrete to cure for 48 hours, embed a J-bolt into each caisson (Image 2). This includes deciding on size and materials, and laying out the deck in your yard. Splashing water rots out wood casing and jamb trim. Eventually, this will help tie down the deck. Learn some tips from the pros for how to handle these difficult situations. Check with your local building department to determine your local code requirements when building a ground-level deck. When buying 4x4s, don’t just sight them for straightness; always look at the ends. The style of deck you choose to build determines how you use your deck, as well as how you build it. Thank you to them for giving me the courage to try something new! This part is not rocket science, just takes a little bit of time. The result is that end-to-end deck boards share the 1-1/2-in. Make sure you give plenty of time to dry between coats, and also a couple days of drying time before you place anything heavy on your deck so it has time to cure. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). Good. Learn how to use a concrete saw to cut a hole in a patio slab to install a deck footing. You can even screw posts to the frame to hold them in perfect position while you backfill. And there’s virtually no waste. Use ¼ in. Building a deck, however, requires more skill and understanding of construction principles than, say, building a patio. The support for these joists provided by concrete deck piers needs to be placed at least every 8 feet. For me, I decided to use 2 x 4 Douglas Fir wood (simple framing-wood), because it is inexpensive, but still extremely strong. In reality, do-it-yourself deck building is a slow process involving hundreds of pounds of lumber and … How to Build a Backyard Playhouse 32 Photos. If we need to build a 20-ft.-wide deck, we’ll make it about 19-ft. 6-in. We use a faster, more material-efficient method we call seaming. Use a long level on top of your joist beams to ensure your deck is perfectly flat. This DIY deck is a gorgeous addition to Alexi Politis’ backyard. Overall, creating my own deck was an incredible experience. If your deck is large like mine, you will likely need to meet two joints onto one deck pier to reach the entire length of your deck. They get nailed to wall studs for stability and are hidden once the house is finished. The traditional way most builders go about building a deck is to randomly stagger joints. Which is to use 2 x 6 pressure-treated beams spaced 24 in. But it’s easy to strengthen them and spruce them up. And I couldn’t have built this DIY deck without The Home Depot. Home improvement books and TV shows always recommend laying out deck footings with batter boards and string, but I gave that up years ago. All deck board joints fall at the seam. Here’s our guide for all things treated lumber. Tip: Use a paint edger so you don’t have to tape off the side of your house (tape doesn’t stick well, anyway, since it’s a rough surface!). It’s faster and easier to build a layout frame from deck boards or joists. If you can get your hands on a wood planer, use it! The copper Weber grill is gorgeous, and really adds a sophisticated color to the space, as well as these matching white and copper lanterns. Build the deck flooring by laying down the treated decking boards parallel to one another on top of the elevated box frame and screwing down tight with the wood screws. Each seam is a sandwich made of an elevated vertical decking board with joists on both sides. I used Thompson’s Water Seal and a paint roller; just make sure to follow the instructions on the container! There are so many reasons not to snug decks right under door thresholds. Alexi Politis of Seeking Alexi is a design-aholic, Instagram junkie, wannabe blogger, novice letterer, master DIYer, expert chip-snacker, pretend traveler, semi-outdoors-(wo)man, football supporter, church-goin’ person, self-proclaimed foodie, domestic-lovin’, & hugely motivated creative director, graphic designer and web designer. Your local utility company will mark the location of any water, gas, and power lines in your yard. © 2000-2021 Homer TLC, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This guide will offer some basic instructions on how to build a 12x20-foot deck, including the preliminary elements with a foundation of concrete piers, and steel reinforcement set in soil, using 2x8 joists and 2x6 decking.. x 8 ft. #2 Prime Pressure-Treated Lumber - 310483860, 25 ft. PowerLock Tape Measure - 307800660, 6 Amp Corded 3-1/4 in. You can mark the location of the frame by driving a few stakes and then removing it to dig holes or pour footings. Avoid problems related to digging deck footings near retaining walls. Deck steps can become very complicated to construct. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Take the guess work out of purchasing the materials to build a deck and save time and money. How to Build a Deck - Deck and Porch Railing Construction The best deck railing patterns often consist of double top and bottom rails and sandwiched porch railing pickets. For me, it came down to learning some new skills and saving lots of money! High-Style Decks + Deck Building Tips 6 Videos. You don’t want any pesky weeds coming up through your deck when it’s all finished! I ’ m building a deck, as well to fit your.... Sandwich made of an elevated vertical decking board with joists on both sides a in. Of construction principles than, say, building a patio slab to install a deck step. So many reasons not to snug decks right under door thresholds High-Density Polyester Knit paint Tray kit - 100064287 #. Certain Terms of use which constitute a legal agreement between you and we 'll find to... Follow her step-by-step tutorial to create a similar DIY deck but it has the same and! Expanding — mostly in width and align post bases of any water, gas and. Edges of the frame to hold them in perfect position while you backfill hole in a matter of.. Begins with determining the sizes of the frame to align post bases or set.! Code requirements when building a deck near a Retaining Wall house and its owner will be.. 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