Deck Construction – Detailed Methods

Step 1

Demarcate the deck area with string and "batterboards" and ensure that that it is square. Batterboards belong to boards hammered on the ground just outside the corners of where the deck is situated. The string can visualize the size and look of the completed deck and also help in simplifying the process for excavation and post placement.

SQUARING WITH STRING

1. Assign string to house and/or batterboards to ensure its level.

2. Label the string 3' from the corner in one way and 4' from the corner in other way by applying a felt tip marker.

3. One can get a perfect triangle if the diagonal that connects these 2 points is 5'. The angle at the corner is 90°.

Note: In order to get the 5' measurement, move the string that is associated with the batter board to the left or right till it becomes perfect.

Step 2

Make the site ready. A spade or sod cutter is used to take away sod to a depth of 2 or 3 ". Expose an area roughly 2 ft. bigger compared with the planned deck. It's dubious that grass can develop in the shadow of your deck, it is necessary to shift the sod to a uncover spot in your yard where it is mostly suitable. Be careful so that weeds and unnecessary vegetation can’t be developed over the deck. Cover the area with a sheet of polyethylene film. Just cut this to embed posts in the ground. As soon as the posts are set up, use gravel, pebbles or wood chips to cover the sheet.

Step 3

While attaching your deck to a prevailing structure, you should focus on a ledger/header.The position of the ledger/header finds out the level of the deck floor. Therefore, ensure that it is placed at the exact height horizontally.

While binding ledger/header boards to wood, the ledger must be arranged safely with bolts via the wall or lag screws. To resist water behind the ledger board, apply aluminum flashing. It must be inserted under the siding and bent down over the ledger, then down the face of the ledger board. For aluminum or vinyl siding, cautiously trim siding away from house to fasten ledger/header board directly to the house. It is also required to apply the bottom edge pieces of the siding over the deck to refinish the lower edge to save them. It is assumed the joists are suspended from the ledger and not supported on it. Ensure you consider the height of your deck boards while calculating the location of the ledger. (Usually, just 1 ½ inches down from the final height of the deck.)

To read the complete article, visit www.handymanwire.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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