Our yards provide us with beautiful views, space to add landscaping, and room for our children to run and play. Many homeowners, however, don’t get to enjoy their yards as much because they have an unsightly deck or no deck at all. Adding or replacing a deck can be a lot of work, but the team at Jaeger Lumber can help contractors and DIYers all around New Jersey learn how to build a deck and complete this exciting project.
How To Build a Deck
Because decking materials are made to support weight, it’s important to take your time and do it properly when building a deck. While every deck may be different, there are some basic steps you’ll want to follow.
1) Design
Before reaching for any tools, grab a tape measure, a pencil, and some paper and come up with the design layout you want. You’ll need to make sure the ideas in your head work with your available space. It’s also important to consider pitching the deck away from the house, allowing water runoff to escape away from the home.
2) Follow Codes and Regulations
Adding a permanent outdoor structure may require a permit in your area. Check your local codes and regulations to make sure your plans don’t go against them.
3) Get Your Materials
Once your deck design is approved, you’ll need to purchase your materials. This will include your lumber, hardware such as screws, bolts, and brackets, ready-mix concrete, and any tools you don’t already own, including a post hole digger or auger, a reciprocating saw, a circular or track saw, and more.
4) Layout and Measure
To help make the process go smoothly, it’s best to lay out your design. You can use marking paint and string to help.
5) Make the Footing
The first step in constructing the deck is to create footing. You’ll need to dig deep holes and fill them with concrete tubing. Once the tubing is securely in place, fill it with ready-mix concrete and let it dry with an anchor bolt in the center of each tube. You’ll then attach posts to the post bases.
6) Construct the Frame
Once your posts are secured, you’ll attach the rim joists, which are the boards that create the perimeter of the deck. Depending on your deck size, you may need a ledger board, which is a long beam that is screwed into your house for extra support. You’ll then need to attach the inner joists for added support for your deck’s surface.
7) Add the Deck Boards
Set your first deck board on one end and fasten it in place. You’ll continue with the rest of your deck boards, making sure to fasten each through the center of the inner joist. You’ll want to leave about 1/8 in. of space between them to allow for drainage.
8) Railings
If your deck requires railings, you’ll need to attach them now. Check local codes to ensure your railings are at the proper height. Install your railing supports and then add the balusters, taking care to keep them the same distance apart.
9) Stairs
Cut and nail your stair stringers. Then attach your kicker boards, deck boards, and railings, including the posts and balusters. You may need to dig a hole and create a concrete foundation before adding your stairs.
10) Railing Caps
Lastly, add railing caps around the entire railing, including both sides of the stairs. You may need to cut them to fit properly around your stairs.
Depending on the materials you’ve used, you may want to stain your deck. However, this should wait several months for the wood to dry.
Turn To Jaeger Lumber
If you are ready to take on a deck-building project, turn to the experts at Jaeger Lumber to help. We serve those throughout NJ, and we have lumber, composite decking materials, concrete, hardware, and more to help you every step of the way. Contact us with any questions or to get a quote today.