How do I Build a Deck?

Summer is almost upon us. If you want to make the most of the best season on Earth, this means plenty of time spent outdoors. Having a deck means your Summer fun can go all day long last well into the night! Imagine spending time with friends and family eating, drinking, talking, grilling, roasting marshmallows. When Autumn comes, you can hang a projector screen outside and watch football out on the deck!

Of course, before all of these dreams can become a reality you need to actually build the deck. With a little know-how, you can do it yourself and potentially save thousands of dollars. If you know what you're doing and you're usually handy around the house, this isn't hard at all!

Planning

First, you'll need to gather all your tools and supplies. Decking nails, construction staples, carpenter squares, an auger, a circle saw, joist hangers, and pressure treated wood are all important. Don't forget your safety gear!

Step #1

If needed, level the ground. Then, use your auger to dig the holes where your posts will go. In most instances, decks require support from concrete piers or footings that are set into the ground. Place concrete tubing forms in the holes and level them so that they stick up about 1-inch above ground level. Backfill the holes around the tubing forms.

Step #2

Now it is time to pour concrete and place the post anchors. Pour mixed concrete into the tubing form, then place a post anchor bolt into the center of each footer before the cement begins to harden. Be sure to leave enough of the bolt above the footing to connect to the post base.

Step #3

Once the concrete has hardened, probably overnight, it is time to attach the posts beams to the post base. Set the posts in the post base and attach with appropriate post-base hardware nails or screws. You'll next attach rim joists and angle brackets.

Step #4

With the deck’s rim joist complete, it’s time to install the joists. The right decking nails are very important for this step. Once these are in place, you can begin actually building the "floor" part of your deck!

Step #5

If your deck will be free-standing against the house, you’ll want your wood decking boards to run parallel to the house. As you install the decking boards perpendicular to the joists, drive two fasteners through each board into the center of each joist.

Step #6

Everything is in place and it's time for some finishing touches, like making sure all of the boards used for the deck are the same length and sanded down properly. Trim the decking boards in a perfectly straight line using a circular saw.

Learning how to build a deck in your outdoor space can enhance your home’s options for entertaining and relaxation. It requires a command of basic carpentry and a commitment of time and resources. These are the basics of what you'll need to know.