Whether you are going to have your deck built by a professional or do it yourself, for you to know how to build a deck correctly it requires proper planning and design.
One of the best ways to understand how to build a deck is to view wood deck plans that have been built many times. Seeing attractive deck plans can give you deck building ideas that will simplify your planning and design.

A deck is one of the most popular home improvement projects. Adding a deck is also one of the most reliable investments when it comes to home resale values.

Step 2. Deck Layouts

It is very important to build the deck footings in the right locations. There are two principle methods for accurately laying out the footing locations based on your deck plans. It usually helps to have the ledger board installed to give you two fixed positions at the house to work off .

Remember that the dimensions on your plan are drawn in two dimensions. You must keep your lines or tapes level in order to avoid distorting the shape of the deck in three dimensional space. Laying out footings is usually a two-person job. You will need an open space to work in, you must move anything that will interfere with your lines or tapes in the site area.

Step 3. Setting the posts

Dig a hole and pour into the hole a concrete base; preferably using a 60 lb bag of ready mix. Set the concrete pier into the wet concrete inside the hole. The concrete will cure around the pier adding stability.

After the concrete dries, attach the post to the pier using a screw gun and screws. Following this procedure the post is neither inside the concrete nor underground exposed to the elements. The post is attached above ground between the metal anchors attached to the pier.

Step 4. Framing the decking

All deck framing must support the weight of the deck and hold up well over time, so it’s important to include heavy-duty supports and use pressure-treated lumber to construct all component parts.

Good framing is as essential for decks as it is for houses. And as you’ll see, there are quite a few ways to handle the fine points of framing, from putting in ledgers and beams to pouring concrete piers and cutting stair stringers.

Local building authorities can be a good source of free advice about deck details. If you take the time to troubleshoot your framing plan, your deck-building project will go along more smoothly.

Step 5. Building deck stairs

Making deck steps is not hard to do. Anyone with basic construction knowledge can make a solid and attractive set without leaning into too many problems.

Most likely you have planned one or two flights of stairs from your deck to the surrounding yard. Steps can be built a number of different ways depending on your aesthetic preference, however most municipalities have specific codes that must be taken into consideration when you design and build your steps. For instance, many cities require a minimum width of 3 feet for the stairs.

From a design standpoint, your stairs can have notched stringers or solid stringers. You can have deep tread runs of 16″ or a more standard run of 11″. At the foot of the stairs, you can use posts on concrete pads like the rest of the deck or build a solid base of concrete or stones. Design stairs that suit your style.

Step 6. Finishing the deck

Every deck no matter how well it is built cannot escape weathering. Failure to apply a protective coating will result in the wood weathering into its natural grey tones. It is a wise choice to coat the entire deck with a finish soon after its completion. Pressure treated wood, cedar and redwood, all need protection.

Three factors come into play when considering what finish to apply to a deck. Color is the first since it will be a powerful factor in the successful design of a deck. Durability and ease of application are also essential.

Thirdly, the type of deck wood plays an important part. Treated wood generally requires staining or painting to achieve the best results while a clear finish allows the natural colors of cedar and redwood to show through.

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Deck Plans

Deck Design – Top 5 Considerations when Building a Deck

Wooden Deck – 5 Reasons why Wood is the Best Material for Decking

How to Build a Deck – Video Series