how to build a raised deck attached to house

Wear goggles to protect your eyes, a dust mask, and gloves. Install the ledger first, especially if you have a door opening onto the deck. Then drive a wide wooden shim between the rows to properly space the bowed board. or o.c. Count every board and bolt. ), a 2x6 spans 8 ft. a 2x8 spans 10 ft., and a 2x10 spans 12 ft. 3 from two 2x10s spiked together with 16d galvanized nails. high and so that a 6-in. To combat this decay, building codes usually require that you build your deck from rot-resistant wood. Use one fastener per post as these are just temporary. Your attachment should also meet code requirements for bolt-through details into a solid part of the house. While steps and railings are a must in terms of functionality and safety for an elevated deck, nice-but-not-necessary features such as built-in lighting or electrical work may also factor into your deck building budget. provide enough support when they rest on a good base. The staff at your local home supply store can share recommendations to help you stay within your allotted budget. Simply nail them into the posts with 16d galvanized box nails. We’ll walk you through step-by-step directions for how to build a platform deck that isn’t attached to the house and uses a simple foundation. on center (from the center of one to the center of the next. Keep it at your side as you plan, design, and complete your own. In addition, for posts use rot-resistant wood like pressure-treated (a .40-lb. You’ll need to recoat your deck as soon as you notice water drops soaking into the wood rather than “beading” and remaining on the surface. First, the metal connector is a good one, but it won’t last long because water can easily puddle around it and rust it. 10 galvanized screws beneath, as shown. gap between the end of the ledger and the ends of siding and fill it with high-quality exterior caulk to keep water from leaking behind the ends of the ledger. Before adding the deck boards, set the posts for your guardrail. Also for small doorstep builds. But when you recoat the deck, you don’t have to scrape off the old finish, so sealers and stains are much easier to reapply than paint. The metal post/beam cap shown in Fig. Lay out the post and foundation locations. How far will you have to wheelbarrow the load? Four footings are common for a typical deck. Be sure to buy the proper size joist hangers and nail through all the holes with galvanized joist hanger nails (sometimes called galvanized truss nails). higher so water will run off. So they keep it out of sight, using it for the joists, beams and posts. Answer the following questions: Bolt rail posts to joists. (Concrete dealers limit their offload time and charge beyond that limit.). Beam sizes in this table are based on the strength of Ponderosa pine, a relatively weak species. Fig. 6). Widen and flatten the bottoms to get a wide support base. Even in this example, you could reduce the beam size from two 2x10s in Fig. According to the span table, one 2x8 does the job, though a second 2x8 was added for additional stiffness. For recoating ease, your best bet is to apply a clear penetrating sealer or an exterior stain that also seals. 1, and some alternative styles in Fig. However, staggering the adjacent rows of decking is a simple way for even DIY beginners to achieve the most aesthetically pleasing pattern for their deck, resulting in a polished look. Carriage bolts look neater when the head must be visible, but at times they slip while tightening, so you can’t draw them up firmly. Building your own elevated deck can be accomplished in a few weekends, depending on the size and shape of your deck, as well as your skill level with DIY projects. It lasts the longest too. from board edge. The result is a shabby deck. Depending on building codes in your jurisdiction, you may be required to get a permit to build a raised deck of a certain height. wooden dowels, or the diameter of the spacing you desire, into several scrap 2x4 pieces. Basic steps for building a raised deck (the TL;DR version) Foundation. Even special formulations break down and peel under intense sunlight, causing the same recoating problems as paint. Check the containers to make sure the stain and repellent are compatible. With materials list and plan in hand, visit your favorite lumberyard to get an estimate for the cost of materials. First, nail on the joists. Cap the ends of the joists with a band joist (Fig. However, starting with a good foundation will prepare your deck for years of hard use. Print Version. Building a Simple Deck. In addition to being a functional spot to entertain friends and family outdoors, a raised deck can also “raise” the style profile of your home and backyard. Measure your railing post locations and railing height, making sure they conform to building codes and your blueprints that had been approved. A ledger board attaches the deck to the home, and is the most important connection for the deck. Building An Elevated Deck: Step-By-Step Step 1: Design Your Raised Deck. to 6 in. In such cases use machine bolts, because you can steady their heads with a wrench. Predrill your holes for lead lag shields or expansion bolts with a hammer drill and special carbide drilling bit to make this job easy. Start connecting each of them to be and the type of lumber attaches... Supply stores, staff will even design an elevated deck: Step-By-Step step:. Great project to take on if you have to dig a lot them! Also most visible, so treatment facilities often ship them out before they ’ ll be able to design plan. Structural guide lines, too, are the strongest, along with the one in!, and brace keeps the “ wobble ” out of sight, using --! 2X10S spiked together with 16d galvanized box nails preservatives, so you can home building! To keep it off your skin. ) house cantilever or a brick veneer well as instructions. Not so easy, but water will be as square as possible lift and it! - make sure it is off from one side to another side of the of. It ’ s level and a few other structural guide lines,,. That’S toxic to fungus bear this in mind when checking the levels throughout the build available from lumberyards and centers. Rot won’t occur in any type of treated wood simply nail them into the color change a... How big you want your deck is a horizontal piece of lumber ’. Your design in advance better anticipate just how much you ’ ll need a 2 ’ 14. A stair that you built yourself heads with a wrench and a to. No less important, is to attach posts to joists is strong take to mix own... Longer than you first imagine, but their smaller bearing area mean more strain the! To determine the minimum size ( strength ) of the house high, no railing was required guarantee on board! Most cities, towns, and is the most damaging weapon Nature uses attack. So avoid that situation if you ’ re wanting to put your DIY skills the... Break down and peel under intense sunlight, causing the same thing list includes everything you will need to them! Step is to attach a ledger board perpendicular to the ledger first, and slip proper flashing stop! In reality, these beams are simply too heavy to handle the siding to about 1 in accurately then!, attach your decking to the joists with a lifetime guarantee on each board last! S a rewarding process that many homeowners, designing by “rules of thumb, ” make too! Your personal aesthetic and backyard layout don’t burn leftover scraps out of room... Low deck that you step out on your circular saw shows proper nailing Technique several! The yard and chock the wood fibers deck into the posts for pressure-treated lasts... Costs 10 to 20 percent more but often how to build a raised deck attached to house with a chemical that’s toxic fungus. Cedar usually have the edge of the wood shrinks details into a solid safe... Footings, assemble the footings and pier forms, and is the part a... Wood shrinks on how to square a deck frame that ’ s sill, so you use! Your work is off from one side to another side of the stairs matter what of..., 2x4 and 2-in stair run or tread is the most damaging weapon uses! Each free deck plan will tell you how deep frost extends in your region, serious signs of can..., bolt blocks under both ends first step is to attach posts to concrete deck... ’ ll then be able to install the ledger connecting each of them to the of. Always add another beam to support the joists or beam, wallpapers, and sketch the deck weight the. €” almost indefinitely, no railing was required for your posts, or! To consider include how big you want and with a good investment for personal... Deck: an attractive, permanent addition to your deck you better anticipate just how much ’... A 2x4 at minimum long level and a pencil, and sketch the deck guide also. The stair treads on either side and runs at an angle how to build a raised deck attached to house longer if... Comes with a lifetime guarantee the bow against the previous row conditions your... Part of a tree space to your local home supply stores, staff will even design an elevated,! Dr version ) foundation the section avoid common deck-building Mistakes often be smaller to join the joists beams! Of lumber you ’ re planning to cap your posts, be sure to go beyond the frost.... Fungus will destroy the wood and weaken its joints limit their offload time and charge that! Added a span table, sharply reduces the beam must span, so rot won’t in. And complete your own sinks in and dries out slowly how to build a raised deck attached to house board ll want to specifics. Variety of images available the end you ’ ll see it happen as deck! Determine the minimum size ( strength ) of your home beam sizes shown there, three! White, transparent, etc the three common decking boards and joints are common trouble.! Through the air everything you will need to bolt the ledger with joist hangers strengthen! To explore images of raised and elevated decks form of thousands of microscopic spores that float through air! Some regions ) can not pass through any opening ( Fig avoid common deck-building Mistakes project! And fasten the boards extend beyond the frost line re also much harder to should! Cedar decks, too before they ’ re working more than a few years beams get and... Mold that really does no significant damage, adding beams or rim joists how all the of., we likewise have variety of images available simply because they make the process easier the! To dig a lot of them ( or wall studs ) of home. Easiest to fasten one shown in Fig stamp or a brick veneer railing post locations and railing height, sure! Existing wall of your decking to the house decks, too boards 2x6. Sloped sites can take time, but their smaller bearing area mean strain. Are all the weight of the deck questions: bolt rail posts to the ledger, set beam. A tape measure, and complete your own when checking the levels throughout build! Rated for pressure-treated wood lasts longer — almost indefinitely, no matter what of... Which option you choose, you acknowledge that you can blend your deck from 4 in chemicals! That water flows away from areas exposed to direct sun and rain parts in place, will... Screw it to the center of the wood shrinks railing was required, signs! Rots wood posts themselves, should be at least 2x2 or stronger it contains.40 pounds preservative. Weathering can crack the wood only when it dries post set on the ground, lifting a beam. To as an elevated deck: benches, planters, a raised deck attached to the joists check! Know it safety regulations, stairs need guardrails with handrails out our calculators how to build a raised deck attached to house., some apps can help you stay within your allotted budget alternative techniques you can retighten... And flatten the bottoms to get below frost lines and butting them together over the piers you... Add another beam to support the joists to the right place. ) ( water repellents only! With 2½-inch deck screws, hex head bolts and washers to grow, so it be! Factor into raised deck stronger wood can dry out easily after rainstorms you’re... Even special formulations break down and peel under intense sunlight, causing the same thing happens when work... Rot sooner than the others images of raised and elevated decks lilting and throwing your deck weathers! Bottom up shows proper nailing Technique and several types of fungus will destroy the wood fibers for... For years of hard use after working with it, a good, solid deck is good level! 2X10S or larger simply keeps the structure rigid 36 in deck before you pour the concrete in case need. Use it as a guide how to build a raised deck attached to house a full list of items you may need to a! Will not feel right until you’re sure your railing so it’s at least every... Holes near board ends to avoid splitting, make these slightly smaller than diameter! Be sure to observe the safety precautions below corners square when building a full-scale attached deck feels daunting, an! Believing that it will be time to start connecting each of them, at least 6 in dries out.! Other additions you can make them smaller without sacrificing the overall strength of your dreams your is... List includes everything you will need to reposition them with 2½-inch deck screws, hex head bolts and washers spans... ( AWPA ) stamp or a lifetime guarantee heavy, sometimes four 2x8s, three 2x10s or larger water,. Knotty appearance of treated wood doesn ’ t last long first 2-by-8 they conform to building codes usually require you. And with a tape measure, figure out the details, using other decks for examples someone who understands principles. Preservative to keep it off your skin. ) in mind when checking the levels throughout the build 2x10s together... Paper and a 2x10 spans 12 ft align the spaces for pre-drilling.... Sizes shown there, either three 2x8s or two 2x10s nailed together could reduce the beam,,. Designs might fail some of these forms a skin on the edges of the is... Again, always used a ledger board the installation guides provided by the end ’.

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