| How to build a deck? Building a wood deck | | | | two to the deck design if you want. When |
| correctly can create the perfect transition | | | | building a wood deck, you can divide the deck |
| between your home and your backyard. How to | | | | into two areas - one area for lounging and |
| build a deck planning and construction should | | | | sunning and another section for cooking and |
| result in a wonderful place to go to relax | | | | dining.4. What Deck Materials Will You Use - |
| and unwind after a hectic day. Whether you | | | | if you will be building a wooden deck, there |
| are going to have your deck built by a | | | | are several structural parts. Your deck may |
| professional or do it yourself, building a | | | | need concrete footings that extend below the |
| deck correctly requires proper planning and | | | | frostline if you'll have freezing winters. |
| design.Here are five basic considerations for | | | | If your deck will be on sandy soil, you may |
| building a wooden deck:1. Choose Your Deck | | | | need to build larger footings that will |
| Type - there are several types of decks you | | | | support the deck posts or beams.The posts can |
| can have for your home. An outdoor patio | | | | be 4"x4" lumber which is generally strong |
| deck can be attached to your home. A | | | | enough to support the deck. If your deck is |
| convenient location for your outdoor patio | | | | above ground, you may be required to use |
| deck could be attached to the family room or | | | | 6"x6" structural posts. The deck beams will |
| kitchen. How to build a deck that is a | | | | rest horizontally on the posts and will |
| destination deck? A destination deck would | | | | support the deck joists. Deck joists will be |
| typically be located in a special place with | | | | spaced horizontally every 12", 16" or 24" and |
| a view and would not be connected to your | | | | will support the decking boards. The decking |
| home. You might have a winding path that | | | | boards are the floor of your deck that span |
| would lead to the destination deck. How to | | | | from joist to joist.5. Design and Build It |
| build a deck that is a connector deck? A | | | | Yourself or Hire a Professional - unless you |
| connector deck is several smaller decks of | | | | live in a very rural area, there will |
| any shape or size connected to each other | | | | probably be building code requirements, |
| with pathways.2. Consider Your Deck | | | | permits and inspections needed when building |
| Activities - when building a wood deck, will | | | | a wooden deck project. Contact your local |
| your deck be a place to grill and barbecue? | | | | building official to see what is required in |
| Are you going to have parties and entertain | | | | your area. One major advantage to having |
| family and friends? Is your deck going to be | | | | qualified professionals help is that they |
| a quiet place for lounging, reading or | | | | understand the legal side of how to build a |
| enjoying your favorite beverage? Will you | | | | deck and can help ensure building code |
| have a luxurious hot tub on your deck? To | | | | requirements are met.One of the best ways to |
| increase privacy, will you have landscaping, | | | | understand how to build a deck is to view |
| plants or trees around your deck? Take some | | | | wood deck plans that have been built many |
| time and think through how to build a deck | | | | times. Seeing attractive deck plans can give |
| that will perform the way you want. Go | | | | you deck building ideas that will simplify |
| online and buy a good book on planning and | | | | your planning and design.Copyright 2006 |
| building a wood deck.3. Decide Your Deck | | | | InfoSearch PublishingLearn more about how to |
| Size - if your house and backyard is smaller | | | | build a deck, locate good deck books, see |
| and you won't entertain large groups, you | | | | wooden decks plans and search for deck |
| likely don't need a large deck. Too large a | | | | professionals in your area. David Buster is |
| deck can actually make the house appear | | | | VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of |
| smaller. Keep it simple, but add an angle or | | | | - a popular website for homeowners. |