DECK DESIGNS Deck Building Basics Part 1 of a 3 part series:  Part 1: The Deck  Part 2: The Stairs  Part 3: The Railings DECK DESIGNS Once you have determined the material type and design type of your deck, the structural fundamentals of a deck do not change re- gardless of your deck design. By following these simple basic guidelines, you can ensure the structural integrity of your deck and be confident that your deck will last years. TAKE YOUR TIME AND CONSTRUCT YOUR DECK RIGHT!!! This instruction set is written with the assumption that the builder has a basic under- standing of the use and safety of the tools needed to complete this project. THE DECK 2 DECK DESIGNS  LEDGER  CONCRETE  CONCRETE PIERS  POSTS  BEAMS  JOISTS  DECK BOARDING  GALVANIZED NAILS  JOISTS HANGERS  POST CAP BRACKETS  LAG BOLTS  ANGLE BRACKETS Basic Materials Some wood types: pressure treated wood, pine, cedar, redwood, mahogany, teak. THE DECK 3 DECK DESIGNS LEDGER  Use PRESSURE TREATED wood for the ledger.  Determine location along the side of the home.  Remove siding and account for extra room at each end for the outside joist connection. (Approximately 2 inches)  Install ledger flashing under siding.  Install ledger 1.5 inches below any entrances to the home. Use 4 inch lag bolts every 2 feet to ensure proper connection through the sheathing and header joist of the home.  If building multi-level deck, measure 7 inches be- tween the upper and lower ledgers or subsequent levels.  Apply caulk along the siding and ledger flashing in- tersection. THE DECK 4 DECK DESIGNS Deck post holes and foundation THE DECK 5  Once the Ledger has been securely fastened, use it as a guide- line to create a nylon string grid. The intersections will indi- cate post locations. REMEMBER: Check nylon grid for accuracy utilizing 3-4-5 triangle within individual squares.  Dig holes for concrete pads centering around nylon string in- tersections. REMEMBER: Dig the holes just past the frost line for the region to which you live in.  Pour the concrete in the hole. While concrete is still wet, but manageable, twist the concrete pier slightly into the uncured pad and check that it is level. Use a plum bob to check loca- tion of pier center against nylon string grid intersection. DECK DESIGNS Deck posts and beams THE DECK 6  Cut each post approximately 5 inches longer than the height of the deck.  Mount and fasten the posts on top of the concrete piers to the post anchors. Ensure each vertical side is level.  Place one side of a joist board on top of the ledger and extend the other side out to each post. Mark the posts when the joist board is level. REMEMBER: Every 6 feet away from the house, de crease the respective post mark by 1/2 inch. This ensures proper water run-off.  From these new marks, mark each post again down the length of the height of the joist plus the height of the beam that will be used.  Cut the each post again at these final marks. Install a post cap bracket on top of each post with screws or lag bolts.  Install the beam on top of the post beam caps. DECK DESIGNS Deck joists THE DECK 7  NOTE: The outside joists are anchored to the ledger and supported by the beams.  Install the frame joists first. (Outside joists / Header joist)  Outside joists should be attached to the ends of the ledger. The other side should sit on top of the beam, their outsides flush.  Position the header joist across the ends of the outside joists.  Attach angle brackets to each of the four angles created by the deck frame.  Install the inner joists every 16 inches using joist hangers. REMEMBER: When the inner joists cross a beam, be sure to toe nail a screw for added support. Place inner joist every 16 inches. Outside joists are flush with beams. DECK DESIGNS Deck boarding THE DECK 8  Examples of deck boarding are given on page 3 of this reference guide.  Install first board at the ledger boards end parallel with it. Don’t worry about side over-hang until all boards are installed.  Install each subsequent board every 1/8 inch. REMEMBER: When 2-4 feet from the end of the deck, slightly increase or decrease gap in order to end on a full deck board.  Cut all over-hang side boards to length. DECK DESIGNS Deck maintenance THE DECK 9 Now that your deck is structurally intact and well built, it is important to apply a sealant. A sealant will protect your deck from the environmental elements and decrease yearly maintenance. (If the deck was built using composite mate- rial, a deck sealant is not required.) Remember that the initial application of sealant may require multiple coats pending the absorption of the wood. To test for the right amount of sealant applied, pour water at different loca- tions on the deck to see if the water beads. Enjoy your newly built deck!!!!