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How to’s on building from the carpenter of 26 years

Jan

deck building

Building your 1st deck huh?
Its really more labor than much skill needed,so unless your like me and just plain old lazy,you will be fine.

1.Check local building codes and get the required permits before starting,youi can call you loacl building inspector in the city where you live to obtain this.

2.Get a good plan of how the deck will be.How wide,how long or deep.Will it have a railing?(if its over 2 feet off the ground you need a railing build to code.)If so what typeof deck railing?

2a.What will you build this out of?Pressure treated is the most cost effective,but you can also use cedar.

2b.Where the deck comes upto the house will you exit a door and step down or will it just be and inch or so below the doors threshold?

Will you use screws to hold down the decking boards or just nail them in place(I like screws as the lumber tends to stay in place and screws will not back out

Now Building the deck