6 Easy Steps In Making Your Own Deck

After planning and getting the materials needed, these are the steps in making a deck: attach ledger, protect ledger, set up footings, establish post the bases and side rim joists, install the front rim and interior joists, then attach deckings

Making your own deck can be a challenging task. You must first have a concrete plan to which enables you to keep track on the progress of your work, and to find the right materials needed for the job. If you don't want to seek professional help in making a deck, you can follow these steps to do the work your way.

Attach ledger

Clear up building'strim to at least a foot above the grond where the ledger will be place, cover it with a water-proof membrane afterwards. Mark the position of the ledger, then cut a 2 inch-wide, then 1 inch-thick wooden spaced every 2 feet of ledger, align it with the tops of the spacers then fasten it to the wall with a lag screw of a 16d nail. Drill a 33/8-inch hole into the ledger and through the rim joist for every space in a zigzag manner. Insert a lag screw in each hole then fasten it agaisnt a washer.

Protect ledger

Take a strip of a self-adhering waterproof membrane 6 inches wide and about the same length as the ledger then fold it lengthwise forming a right angle, apply it over the ledger. Cut a strip of a flashing with the same dimensions as the waterproof membrane, fold it in a manner like the membrane then place it over it. Place nails through the flashing's top edge every 8 inches. Using joist hanger nails, fasten doouble joist hanges at both ends of the ledger.

Set up footings

Install batter boards and mason's strings and establish footing locaton and outside perimeter. Mark each location, then remove the strings. In each a footing location, make a hole that is wide and deep enough to hold the footings. Reading the manual's instructions,install the footing and pier.

Establish post the bases and side rim joists

Install a post base above a pier in a position that is not in the joist hanger's way then mark the location. Remove post base then drill into the pier, place the post base again then insert an anchor bolt, tighten it. Take pressure-treated 2x stock for the rim joists and beam, glue them with an adhesive then nail it together witj 12d nails with a space of 16 inches. Place a rim joist into the hanger at every edge of a ledger, repeat with other side joist.

Install the front rim and interior joists

Mount concealed-flange double joist hangers on the edges of the front rm joist's inner 2xs. Insert the inner 2xs into the post bases. Insert a side rim joist in a front hanger then square the corner,then secure it to the posts bases using hanger nails, repeat on the other side. Fit a face-mounted double joist hangers for beams every 8 feet on the center. Finish the doubled front rim by gluing the outside 2xs to the inner ones. Place 2x joist hangers on the beams at least 16 from the center, then fit the joists through the hangers.

Attach deckings

Get trim boards and nail it to their outside faces with 2 stainless finish nails, miter joints on the corners. Get the distance from the wall to the outside of the trimboard then add about an inch for overhang. Cut the deckboards using those measurements. Brush polyurethane marine sealant on the edge of a side rim joint, then lay a straight deck board, securing it with a finish nail. Squeeze 8d finish nails into the joists along with the top board to maintain uniformed spacing. Place again an adhesive on to each joist, then repeat the laying and nailing process.

It might be hard work, but it's much more satisfying to see the final outcome that was done by yours truly.