Deck Building

How to Build a Deck

Learning how to build a deck, although a potentially tough DIY woodworking project, can be a quite enjoyable experience.

A deck will allow you to set up a nice barbecue outside, have a few friends over, or just sit and relax outside in the evening. Not only are there aesthetic aspects of having a deck, but the right one can raise the overall value of your home itself.

deck building plans

After reading through this article you should have a better understanding of deck building and the required materials to build your own deck.

First let’s talk about the anatomy of a deck:

deck anatomy

  • Stringers - Also called a “ledge plate”. This is the piece of wood that’s bolted on to the house and also where the joists are fixed on or to. You need to make sure that the stringer is packed out from the building at every  bolt to prevent any liquid getting trapped between the stringer and the building. The spacing between the bolts will depend on the size of the stringer and also the spam of the joists.
  • Footings - The standard size of a footing hole is around 125×125 (5×5) or 100×100 (4×4) post is around 450mm (18″) deep in the ground and 300mm x 300mm (12×12) square. In soft ground and frost areas, you will need to make the holes bigger and deeper. Concrete is required as a pad under the posts (100mm 4″).
  • Posts - The spacing of the Posts along the bearers depends on what type of deck and the structure. Posts are generally 100×100 (4×4).
  • Bearers - The Bearer size depends mainly on the length of the joists.
  • Joists - The joists are attached to the stringer by either butting up and fixing to joist hangers, or by sitting near the top ledge plate and nailing through both faces. The size of the joist depends mainly on the joist spacing and joist span.
  • Decking - The strength and thickness of your deck materials determines where the joists should be.
  • Boundary Joist – The boundary joist is a piece that’s fixed on the perimeter of the decking installation to make it have a nice finish. Most of the time this type of joist is just put in place for decoration and does not affect the structure of the deck. You can also replace boundary joists with decking boards.

how to build a deck

You need to make sure there are no underground utilities nearby. Even if you aren’t digging for the base, you would hate to have to take apart your deck because a cable or utility line needed to be accessed.

How to Build a Deck – Finding the Right Guide Online

While you are looking for the right guide to learn how to build a deck, make sure you go down to your local planning office to get a deck building permit. While each state is a little different, it is still a good idea to check.

When learning how to build a deck, one of the first places to start is the location of the deck. If it is attached to the existing home, how is it going to tie into the main structure?

If you are learning how to build a deck that is larger, you may also want to consider the landscaping around it. Is that small tree going to eventually impose on the deck? Will that bush get large enough to obstruct your view?

Part of learning how to build a deck is leveling out the area where the deck will touch the ground. This means that you have to remove and rocks and debris, and you may even want to remove any grass. Some guide the show you how to build a deck use a block base that actually sits on the ground, while others have posts that are put into the ground 3-5 feet.

You should rake the ground, turning up any hidden obstacles, then rake again smooth. Should you decide to put in a concrete slab, you would need to build up around the edges to create sharp lines.

How to Build a Deck – A Few More Things to Consider

There are some things you may want to consider when choosing the right How To Build A Deck guide. There are some basics that you should know so you choose the right one. Many of these sites charge for their different plans, but they should also include step by step instructions in a language that even a beginner can understand.

Ted’s Woodworking Plans also includes full color diagrams, and even videos so you can watch how these projects come together. Full lists of the materials that are included for each step on how to build a deck, as well as the tools you will need.

The plans also include helpful tips to get you through the tough spots, as well as customer service (web access) that’s open 24/7. We recommend Ted’s Woodworking for it’s flexibility to be customized for nearly anyone’s needs (as no one person is the same), and it’s wide variety of plans (16,000+).

Click Here to Download High Quality Deck Building Plans

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Finding the Right Information on How to Build a Patio

how to build a patioThere are many different people who can show you how to build a patio. You can find an abundance of resources online. There are websites that offer a number of different patio designs, no matter how big or small you want your patio to be. When it comes to knowing how to build a patio, the first place to start is what you will be doing with it the most. For just about any outdoor entertaining area, you are going to need a level solid surface, especially if you are going to eat out there.

How to Build a Patio – The Required Materials

There are variety of different base materials, such as brick, flat concrete blocks and other smooth surfaces. There are also other materials such as crushed granite or even pea gravel. If you are going to mostly be using your patio for eating, pea gravel isn’t the best because the table and chair legs may settle unevenly. The granite is a good idea because once it has compacted, it can be just as stable as concrete, but still be able to drain water.

There are some things you need to know about how to build a patio. One is that before you start any outdoor patio project you should always contact your local utility, cable and phone company to come out and check for underground lines. It is just a good idea, because you don’t want to have to take apart the whole set up if they ever need to come out and check them. You won’t be digging deep enough to interfere, just enough to make sure your patio is level and smooth.

When wanting to know how to build a patio, another good idea is to go down to the local planning office and ask about a permit. Each state has different zoning laws, and if you plan on adding a separate deck you will need a building permit.

What’s the Best Way to Learn How to Build a Patio

While there are many websites that offer instructions on how to build a patio, some charge money. Depending on the type of patio your are building, you can find many resources on how to build a patio for free. One person can help you learn how to build a patio that is made from paving stones.

This is for a square, 15′x15′ patio, made with paving stone. It seems fairly simple, all you need are the pavers, the sand, some stakes, a wood form, and some basic tools to create a patio in your back yard. With some simple skills anyone can build a patio in just a short period of time.

The biggest things about learning how to build a patio is just take your time, read over the instructions and watch the videos a couple of times before starting your building project. The nice thing about having a laptop computer is that you can go outside, take the laptop with you, and look at the instructions as you go.

If you feel that these instructions on how to build a patio are too much for you, there are other plans and sites for the beginner, such as how to use some of the tools that needed, or what a level is for. Another idea you can use is find someone you know who has a little more knowledge and ask them to help you.

build a deck

Click Here to Download High Quality Patio Building Plans

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