Freestanding deck verses attached deck
#1
07-15-09, 02:41 PM
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Virginia
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Freestanding deck verses attached deck
Our current deck is 21 years old!! We are going to have it torn down and rebuilt...same footprint except we are going out 4 more feet. Now the contractor says that he is going to build a freestanding deck vs an attached one. Our deck is about 8 feet high. He says they are better than the attached ones. He says that over time the ledger board gets rotten. What is your opinion. Should we go with the freestanding deck? He is coming over tommorrow to sign the paperwork and we need advice.
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#2
07-15-09, 04:43 PM
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He is right!
You have just been lucky.
You can take a chance on a different contractor if he will give you a guarantee for no water penetration or mold. Materials do not last forever and that is just one of the many reasons for free-standing deck. - No contractors wants to face potential law suits if there is a problem if it is built to the owners specifications and methods. Otherwise, just hire some labor (not a real contractor) to do what you want done.
Dick
You have just been lucky.
You can take a chance on a different contractor if he will give you a guarantee for no water penetration or mold. Materials do not last forever and that is just one of the many reasons for free-standing deck. - No contractors wants to face potential law suits if there is a problem if it is built to the owners specifications and methods. Otherwise, just hire some labor (not a real contractor) to do what you want done.
Dick
#3
07-15-09, 06:18 PM
Dick's right, and you have a good contractor (I hope). Now, to the existing deck. What will he do to seal up the area where the original deck was attached? That will need special attention to prevent water penetration.
#4
07-15-09, 09:41 PM
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Location: Arlington, WA
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Dick and Larry both know that I'm going to tell you to do it freestanding. One extra row of footings and an extra beam is nothing compared to the liability of a leaking ledger. And sealing the wall where your existing ledger is is VERY important!!
Most customers think that an attached deck is stronger, or more stable. They really aren't, as long as the footings are sized properly, and the post to footing connections and the cross bracing are done correctly.
Most customers think that an attached deck is stronger, or more stable. They really aren't, as long as the footings are sized properly, and the post to footing connections and the cross bracing are done correctly.
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