How to Build A Deck

First you need to decide the size of your deck. Measure along the area where the deck will be built to get an idea of how large or small you need the deck to be. Once you've determined the size of the deck. Multiply the length by the with to get the square footage of top decking that will be needed.

Next you'll need to get the number of joists you'll need for the framing. If your planning a smaller deck you can use 2x6's. Larger, further spanning decks would require larger joists like 2x10's. Check your local code to see what you can span. Get enough joists for a minimum of 16 inches on center and both sides and front and back. Always order a few extras in case of mistake or just bad lumber.

Now you need 4x4 posts for every corner of your hand rail and no more than 6 feet apart. you can get two post's out of each 4x4x8. Order rail cap spindles and our inch wide lumber for the rails. You can use the top decking for rails if you top deck with 4 inch wide boards. You'll need to get two bags of concrete per post hole, and two carriage bolts per post. You also need a lag bolt with in every 16 inches on your band board attached to the house and joist hangers on every floor joist.

Now that we have just about everything we can start putting the deck together. If your working on siding cut the siding back along the band board of the house. If brick level band board On the house allowing space for your top decking coming out of any door. Next nail your band board to the existing band board on the house. Lag bolt in between every 16 inches on the house.

Measure in 18 inches on each side of your deck,and mark with a pencil. This will be where you will measure from to put your posts. Come out off of the band board two foot less than your board foot. Use a square or other methods of getting square. Mark that spot for a post hole and do the same to the other side. Make sure that you have a post with in every eight foot of the length of your deck.

Dig holes in the center of your marks 32 inches deep and 12 inches in diameter. Now finish leveling out your two side band boards. Use 2x4's to temporarily hold framing in place. Put on the face board and check for square. Now mark the band boards front and back 16 inches on center.

Now measure out each band board side and mark where one side of the cantilever will cross your post holes. Attach the first inside cantilever board. Check deck for level. Now measure to the top of the cantilever board from each post hole and cut post's to fit. Level and plumb each post and nail to the cantilever.

Now nail the front cantilever board on to the posts. Drill two holes in each post to attach cantilever to post's with 1/2 inch carriage bolts. Fill holes with concrete. Your deck is still suspended with your temporary 2x4's. Check for level. Complete hanging each floor joist with joist hangers on the house side. You can nail through the front band board.

Once Framing is completed you need to top deck starting up against the house and coming out. Use spacers or nails to space top decking. Now you can make your handrail. Handrails should be a minimum of 36 inches tall. Cut 4x4's to 42 inches. Measure up 7 inches on post and mark. Then measure in 1 and 3/4's of an inch Notch post to sit on deck. Cut a 45 degree angle on post bottom to make more attractive.

Place Post's no more than eight feet apart on center around deck. plumb and level post's. Nail and lag. Nail a spindle in the center of each post 3 and a 1/2 inches up from the deck. Measure from post to post and cut 4 pieces of rail for each opening between post's. Nail all the rail pieces on.

Measure your rails and find the center. Decide weather that will be the center of a spindle or the center of a space. Place spindles so that there are no more than 4 inches in between each spindle. Plumb and nail all spindles in. Now cut and place your hand rail cap. Nail at all post's. Sand any rough spots with a belt sander.