Building a Deck Part 1: Getting Started

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Video Transcript

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Hi, I am Dave with the Home Depot. So, you are interested in building a deck. Well, building a deck may not be the easiest do it yourself project but it can be done with proper planning and execution. In this series of videos we will explain all the steps involved in building a deck. First we will cover designing your deck and deciding which materials you will use. Then, we will cover the actual building face starting with measuring and laying out the size, installing the ledger and pouring the footing and setting post.

Next, we will move in to the framing step. After framing, we will move on to laying the decking itself and finally we cover installing railings and stairs and talk about deck maintenance. First, you will need to decide what kind of deck you will build. Drive around and look at your neighbors decks that are a great way to get ideas. You can also check out books and magazine or you can find inspiration for your dream deck right here on homedepot.com just point your browser to homedepot.com/decade. There you will find our decks style gallery or you can browse all the types of decks. You might want a simple one level deck with no stairs or inter-cut multi level deck with advance teachers but no matter what kind of deck you decide on you will need to make a plan. Putting you plans down on paper is the best way to correctly estimate materials and get building code approval.

In this videos we will not be able to give you all the specific details you will need to complete your particular project but we can tell you where to find them. First, right here on homedepot.com you will find all kinds of resources to guide you through the project. It takes some time to look at the information available here. Also books such as decks one, two, three are a great resource for detailed information on all aspects of planning and constructing a deck. When you are designing a deck you may want to use computer software which is available right here on homedepot.com. You can purchase deck designer software which will allow you to not only design you deck and see it on your house in 3D but it also estimates materials at Home Depot prices. It will even generate a materials list that you can bring with you to the store to purchase all you materials.

Something to always keep in mind in planning and designing you deck is your local building codes. The codes are varying by region but most require an inspector to come out at least a couple of times to your site during the building process and most require a permit. The codes will dictate things like putting placement, railing high and fasteners required among other things. Do not perceive without checking with your local building department to make sure you have got everything covered.

Okay, you decided on what type of deck you are going to build and you have drawing up plans either by hand or with deck designers software then you check with you local building department to make sure your plans meet code and to find out permit and inspections requirements. Now, it is time to decide which type of material you will use to build your deck. In general you can choose between various types of lumber or you can use synthetic materials. Most common material use is pressure treated lumber. This is the wood you will see on the deck we are building in this series. Pressured treated lumber has been infused with chemicals that make it resistant to run. Sudden yellow pine is a common pressure treated lumber. You can use other woods that are more expensive but are naturally resistance to run, this include sitter and red wood. Even if you decide to use sitter or red wood for the decking and railings you can still use less expensive pressured treated lumber for the framing.

In the last several years building decks from synthetic materials has become popular. These decking materials do not requires ceiling, staining or painting and will never split wore, for crack, wrath or splinter although they are more expensive up front the lack of maintenance needed over time make them something a lot of people prepare. You can get matching railings and postcards as well. Let us look at some of the other things you will need for your deck in addition to the lumber or synthetic materials. Simpson strong type makes a wide variety of connectors that can be use in deck building. These connectors are a better and stronger way of connecting two pieces of lumber than just nailing them. Joist hangers, post basis and post caps are the most widely used.

A variety of other connectors for stairs, joist and other part of the deck are available as well. They are all made with corrosion resistant metals. Other fasteners such as nails and screws must also be corrosion resistant. The types of material you are using were dictates exactly what kind of nails and screws you will need. Now, we are ready to move into the next segment of building out deck. Next, stop will talk about the tools you will need and head out to the jobs site.