Fasten each joist end with a screw driven at an angle. Note: Consult your local building code to determine any regulations on the distance between support beams. Before setting the rim onto the post bases, we lined up the brackets and made sure the beam and opposite rim joist were parallel (Photo 5). We chose to use DeckMate deck screws to reduce corrosion from our region's salty ocean air. Later, you’ll turn the nut to raise or lower the bracket. Typically, floor joists for a deck this size should be placed 16 inches on center. In c… Be sure the framing is level before adding the joists. You can follow our platform deck plans or create your own. With a few days to spare and some help from our family, we built a platform deck and turned that bare ground into a beautiful space large enough to entertain on. Another option to finding the angle is to place the board flush with the ends to be cut and mark the angle from underneath. Set the strings back up and use a plumb bob from the string corners to mark the center of each post on the concrete footings. But when Jake and I got to the last few boards, I realized we were going to end up about 1/2 in. After reviewing the layout of the deck, start by setting batter boards and string lines (Project Diagram, Drawing 1) using this video guide. Fasten them in place with stainless-steel trim screws. off the width of the board. A “positive placement” nail gun makes quick work of this job and saves your elbow. You may opt-out by. Clamp them to the deck and mark the corners of the deck where they need to be mitered to wrap the deck (Photo 6). Both your support beams and pier blocks should be no more than 6 feet apart. So far, they’ve built a garage and a chicken coop from the ground up and fixed up the front porch after Hurricane Irma toppled a tree onto the house. Cut the top of the post flush with the perimeter boards using a reciprocating saw, after cutting the post, you can concentrate on the framing (Photo 1). The standard way to position deck footings involves a maze of stakes and strings, endless measurements and lots of head-scratching. We placed footings about 5 ft. apart and positioned them so they wouldn’t interfere with joist installation later. Aug 10, 2014 - Build this low deck for entertaining or finding your Zen. Being DIYers, we made our own by pouring concrete into 12 x 12-in. Each screw should be countersunk into the board to avoid a tripping hazard. Ideas: Browse thousands of outdoor entertaining products, Houzz is the leading online platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - online or…. Once you have your pier blocks in place and have added your support beams, adjust both until they are parallel and at the desired height. deep and a couple inches oversized so you can adjust the location of the footing. We built ours to have a very slight slope of ½ inch over a 12-foot span. Items may be Special Order in some stores. This type of deck can only be made in areas that do not have a deep winter frost. Jenna lined up the joists while I toescrewed them from the top (Photo 9). But I went low-tech with a water level, which is fast, simple and super accurate. With the holes dug, mix enough concrete to fill the five holes -- one in each corner and one in the middle of the deck. Then move the other end of the tube from point to point, raising or lowering the post bases (Photo 8). In true DIY fashion, Jake wouldn’t let me throw anything away—he plans to use some decking cutoffs to build a tabletop. Link to Lowe's Home Improvement Home Page, How to Build a Deck: Wood Decking and Railings, How to Build a Deck: Wood Stairs and Stair Railings, 4 – 22-in x 8-ft Furring Strips (Actual 1-1/2-ft x 1-1/2-ft x 8-ft), 2 – 1-in x 3-in x 8-ft Furring Strips (Actual 3/4-in x 2-1/2-in x 8-ft), 16 – 1/2-in x 6-in Galvanized Carriage Bolts. Nail on the outer rim joists. But if you’re using 2×6 framing material as we did, place footings no more than 5 ft. 11 in. After I got over the shame, we fired up the table saw and cut 1/2 in. Build this low deck for entertaining or finding your Zen. It is vital to make sure you have a clean surface before staining. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! It’s easiest to start the screws into the joists before you hold the joists in place. Anchor the center base plate and secure the cut center post to the base plate. Doubling up the rim will make the deck very sturdy. These pieces, the long filler (G) and short filler (H) (Project Diagram, Drawing 6), support the ends of the deck boards and the edges of the perimeter deck boards.Cut the blocking joist to fit and install by driving nails at a angle, called toe nailing, into the post and cross beams (Photo 5). As all my experience teaching women and girls would have predicted, Jenna outdid Jake and nailed off the rest of the outer rim in perfect rows with no misfires. They both learned that a framing nailer isn’t as intimidating as it looks. During my planning, I had carefully calculated the widths and spacing of the deck boards so they would fit perfectly inside the picture frame. Once each board is level and flush with the adjoining boards, drive 3-inch deck screws to hold them in position. Later, we drilled holes in the concrete to accept the adjustable post bases (Photo 4). Did you know you can also give an old deck new life with decking and railings? Then we moved the (heavy!) Don't forget to protect your deck from long-term water damage by placing planting pots on a protective tray! Three days later we were sitting on this finished deck, happily complaining about our sore muscles. cardboard boxes ($2 at home centers). Cut 5/4 x 6 deck boards for the perimeter decking, parts (K) and (L) (Project Diagram, Drawing 7) so that each board overhangs the cedar fascia by 1-1/2 inches and is mitered at the ends (Photo 8). We used a “water level,” which is clear tubing connected to the ends of a garden hose. Deck boards are typically 5-1/2 inches wide, so try to plan a deck size that won't leave narrow pieces at the ends. Accessorize with evergreen perennials and glass lanterns for color and texture. Cover the rim joists with a fascia that matches the decking. But those festive dreams were quickly shattered once we took one step out the back door and realized our backyard wasn't the outdoor space my husband and I would be proud to show off. Have gravel on hand to place underneath the pier blocks. The fireplace notch in the corner of our deck made the whole structure a bit more complicated. Step 3: Consider Ground Level Deck Ventilation. While our interior is highly lacking in the space category, our exterior is more than adequate. Add 2 in. We designed ours to be 20 feet long by 12 feet wide, an attached deck with an angled corner at one end. Then I attached the joist hangers with a positive placement nailer (Photo 10). Use a 16d nail to create a uniform gap between each board, which will help the deck shed water. Houzz is the leading online platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - online or from a mobile device. Remove the grass from the area under your deck, lay down landscape fabric, and cover it with approximately 2 inches of decorative stone. Check any neighborhood conveyances or covenants for special rules in your neighborhood governing the deck you intend to build. Take diagonal measurements to square the rim, then brace it with 2x4s. To check for level, set the water line at one corner of the rim and tack the tube into place. Start with bases adjusted to their lowest height. Place the two center beams in the hangers, but do not attach them yet. Adjustments on the end joists may be needed depending on your deck's specific length. Secure the hangers to the frame and joist with fasteners that are approved by the hanger manufacturer, such as the #8 x 1-1/4-in joist hanger screws in the buying guide. Also, a shovel dug into the ground is helpful for leveraging a warped board straight. Lay out the center beam (D) locations (Project Diagram, Drawing 1) centered on the ends and screw double joist hangers to the ends. For a more finished look, consider filling the screw holes with stainable wood filler. A platform deck is usually built close to the ground or on the ground on a bed of gravel and does not usually need railings. © 2020 Forbes Media LLC. from the outer edge of the rim. Mark the locations of the short joists (E) (Project Diagram, Drawing 5). Before you attach the support beams to the pier blocks, use a joist flush with the end of the ledger, measure 6 feet in on the ledger from the inside of the board and 8 feet from the inside of the ledger along the joist. To place the supports, measure your desired distance for the first support beam and set all pier blocks. A platform deck can be any shape, but basic rectangles are easiest.