Wood deck construction requires a lot of dedication, besides the technical know-how. Given here is a brief about how to build a wood deck.
A wood deck is an extension of a house, either for the backyard or the front yard. It can be an excellent place to relax or even entertain friends.
Building any part of your home brings a lot of satisfaction and joy, especially when it is well-used and praised. Try your hand at constructing a deck, it is easy and can be completed in a matter of few days. You can choose from a variety of treated wood for this purpose.
Steps to be Followed
Planning
The foremost thing to be done, is to make a plan. The plan should include a couple of things like location, need, etc. Plan your location by deciding on which side of your home you would want it to be built.
Keep in mind the privacy factor if that is what you are looking for. Understand the limitations of your property, and decide on the size of the deck. There are some legal requirements that need to be looked into before starting the construction.
Design
Budget is another important consideration that helps one design the deck. The size, type of wood, construction tools, and other changes that would be required will be all determined by the budget.
There are basically two major types of designs one could choose from; attached or unattached. The former is like an extension of the house, that can be directly accessed from the interior; while the latter can be built anywhere in the yard.
Tools and Materials
There are many types of treated wood, such as cedar, rosewood, etc. available for construction. One can pick cut-to-size wood panels, or saw them out. Besides, you would require the following things as well:
100 foot measuring tape
Drawing paper and pencil
Ruler
Strings
Hammer
Nuts and bolts
Concrete
Shovel
Construction
◆ Using a shovel, dig holes in the ground for the concrete piers. ◆ Keep measuring for height, as you don't want an uneven deck. ◆ Dig the holes straight until you reach the stable, undisturbed soil.
◆ Place your support ledgers (wood that will hold the deck) in these holes, and pour concrete. Let the concrete dry up completely. ◆ Install the beams by bolting or nailing them into place.
◆ Place the beams first and then install the joists. Be careful while determining the size of the joists, as undersized or over-spaced ones will bring the deck collapsing down. ◆ Once the outer structure of the deck is ready, nailing the deck panels is easy. Start placing them from the wall side, and continue towards the opposite side and add the railings.
Coatings
Most wood panels are made from pressure-treated wood. Applying water and rot repellent coatings; that come in various colors, protect the deck and preserve the wood. Apply them using brushes, rollers or sprays.
While applying, one should not overdo it, as that would make the deck's surface sticky and waxy.
Once the deck is ready, add plants, chairs, tables, swings to add to the style. Once you know how to build a wood deck, you will realise that the construction is easy and can be a lot of fun, especially if you get family and friends to pitch in!