Deck building is a complex task that requires proper planning and a thorough understanding of how to use the materials at hand. A good start is to choose a deck design that matches the needs of the homeowner and then select decking, railing, fasteners, fascia, and riser materials.
Next, check permitting requirements and prepare a detailed material and tool list. Finally, calculate the size of the deck and set out to purchase the appropriate lumber. A good local lumber yard will be able to give you expert advice and help you select the right materials for your project. For professional help, contact Deck Builders Greensboro NC.
A deck is a wonderful addition to any home. It can be used as a dining or lounging area and it provides a relaxing place to spend time. However, it is important to remember that a deck should be built on a strong and stable foundation. The common approach of laying down a couple of paving stones and building the deck directly on top of them is not only impractical but can also lead to structural failure. It is important to dig below the frost line and pour concrete piers around which your deck will be built.
It is also crucial that you build your deck so that it sticks up above the ground enough to allow moisture from the soil to escape. This will prevent your deck from rotting quickly. It is important to use lumber that is rated for ground contact and to properly install joist hangers. Avoid the common mistake of toenailing joists to their beams as this will not hold and could lead to rot.
Another common mistake is to use a power drill and screws to attach the ledger board to the house wall. This will not only damage the siding but it will cause moisture to wick behind the walls, which can cause mold and rot. It is best to use self adhesive butyl tape and aluminum flashing to connect the ledger board to the house wall.
After the ledger has been attached to the house, you should fit pressure-treated 2x stock for your deck’s side rim joists. You should stagger any butt joints by varying board lengths. You should also fasten concealed-flange double joist hangers on the ends of the front rim joist’s inner 2xs and toenail them into the ledger with 16d nails.
Stairs and Landings
Stairs and landings are important to consider when you’re building a deck because they add a lot of extra weight that you need to support. This can include patio furniture, barbeque equipment and more. Stairs also increase the difficulty of making your deck safe for those who want to use it, especially when it’s raised off the ground.
The first step in building a deck is to determine how high it will be, which will affect the number of stairs you need to construct. This will also help you to understand how much the project will cost because the monetary costs of the materials you’ll need and the labor cost for hiring help or doing it yourself will be higher if the deck is elevated.
Once you’ve determined the height of your deck, you’ll need to calculate the amount of lumber or composite you’ll need to construct it and then make sure to take into account any other monetary and non-monetary costs associated with the project. For example, you’ll need to factor in the cost of paint or stain, screws and lags, anchors and bolts, and concrete, depending on whether or not your deck will be anchored to the ground.
If your deck is being built on a slab, you’ll need to dig down at least 4 or 5 feet for the footings. This is because the earth below the deck will act as insulation against frost heave, which can cause the deck to move and crack over time.
When constructing deck stairs, it’s important to keep in mind the minimum riser and tread size requirements set by building codes. This will ensure that you build a safe and functional stairway. Stairs can be constructed in a variety of shapes, including straight runs, winders and landings.
Straight stairs are the simplest and work well in minimalist designed homes. They can also be made visually more transparent by using thinner treads and open risers. If the number of steps is limited to four or less, landings may not be required.
A stairway’s balusters, or baluster posts, are usually capped with decorative molding. These trim pieces may be called newels, half-newels or finials. The end of a handrail can be trimmed with a rosette or a curved section called an easing. Wood rails often have a metal core for added strength and stiffness.
Deck Stairs
Stairs are a necessity when building a deck because they allow you to easily ascend and descend from the raised platform. Stairs can be simple or complex depending on your deck’s layout and the number of levels it has, but all stairs should meet local codes to ensure safety.
Before starting to build your stairs, draw a detailed plan with measurements for each step. This will help prevent mistakes later on and will make the construction process much easier. For example, it’s crucial to double-check your stair rises and tread depths to ensure that they are even, as significant differences between them can create tripping hazards.
Start by measuring the total rise of your staircase, which is the distance from the ground to where you want to end up on the deck surface. Once you know this measurement, you can calculate the number of steps needed and the heights for each riser. A good rule of thumb is to use a 40-degree slope for your stairs, which will make them easy to navigate and will not be too steep or too shallow.
Once you’ve determined the dimensions for your stair stringers, mark them on the deck frame using a carpenter’s square and pencil. It’s important to be accurate with these measurements because a miscalculation can result in unsafe, poorly built stairs. Then, cut the stair stringers with a circular saw, using the notches you’ve drawn as a guide.
Installing deck stairs is relatively straightforward, as long as the stair stringers are properly supported. To ensure stability, attach each stair stringer to the deck frame with a rim joist and blocking (to support the back and sides of the stair stringers) if necessary. Then, affix the decking to the tops of the stringers with screws and decking clips.
For additional safety and aesthetic appeal, consider adding a railing to your deck stairs. Most cities have building codes that dictate the required height of stair railings, so be sure to check your local guidelines before starting work on your stairs. Once the railing is in place, you can add lighting specifically designed for installation in the toe kick of your deck stairs for a safer and more attractive look.
Deck Railing
Adding railings to your deck isn’t only a safety requirement but also enhances the look of the finished project. There are many options for railings, including built-in seating for those who want to enjoy the view while relaxing on their deck. Regardless of what type of railing you choose it is important to check with your local building department for any special requirements.
The first step in constructing a deck rail is installing the posts that will support the railing. Posts are typically made from pressure treated wood and can be either round or square depending on your personal preference. They are spaced about 8 feet apart, however the exact distance depends on your local code.
Next, a ledger board is attached to the joists and the top of the house to create a strong connection and reduce water infiltration into the wall assembly. It is also critical to use proper fasteners to ensure the ledger board doesn’t fail.
A fascia board is then installed to hide the ends of the joists and provide a finished look to the deck. Low maintenance fascia boards are available that coordinate with most railing colors and materials.
Once the deck frame is completed the infill sections of the railing can be installed. These are usually constructed of pressure treated lumber and consist of a top rail, balusters (pickets) and bottom rail. Code requires that the spacing between balusters be no more than 4″ and that there is at least a 4″ sweep space below the bottom rail to allow snow or other debris to easily be swept off the deck surface.
Another component of a safe and functional railing is the guardrail which must be at least 30″ from the ground. The guardrail is also referred to as the top rail and it must be able to withstand a 200-pound load applied in any direction. Guardrails are often a little more rigid than the rest of the railing to meet these safety standards. This is accomplished by using a system of blocks called joist blocking, which are used to tie together the individual joists. This provides a lot more strength and stability to the top railing, helping it resist bending and buckling under a load.