Router Table Depot Blog: How To Build Outdoor Decks Router Table Depot

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Outdoor decks are often found in most houses. It is a perfect home improvement project for increasing your living space and enjoy the outdoors at the comfort of your home. Below are the basic procedures that you should undergo if you plan to build a do it yourself outdoor deck.

Determine the Location
Determine the ideal location of your outdoor deck relative to your house. Most outdoor decks are situated at the rear portion of the house for privacy. Knowing where you will build your outdoor deck will also allow you to determine its ideal size. Make a rough plan on paper.

Get the Necessary Permits
Contact the local building authorities and ask for the building permits that you will need to get before you can start building your outdoor deck.

Prepare your Materials
Determine how many posts you will need for your deck. It is ideal to use pressure treated wood posts to increase the lifespan of your deck. Make a list of how much wood you need to build the outdoor deck. You can use 2x6's for a small deck. For larger decks you can use 2x8's or 2x10;s but you will need to build joists. As for your deck floor, you can choose between 4x6 pressure treated wood boards and the more expensive Cedar. Calculate how much materials you need for your railings and stairs.

Install the Posts
You must have a little of woodworking skills to accomplish this task. If you do not have one, you can ask the help of a friend who has experience on this type of home improvement project. Dig a hole beyond the frost line if you live in a cold area. Install the posts in its proper location and make sure that each is secured firmly on its base. Align the posts relative to the beams of the house.

Install the Framing
Use joists hangers to firmly secure the deck framing to your house. For added support to the framing, use double rim joists.

Install the Flooring
Use the proper connector to install the flooring materials to the deck frame. The type of connector ideal for your flooring depends on the material of your flooring. For wood flooring, you can use nails or screws. For composite flooring, use only screws.

Install the Railings and Stairs
You can opt to buy pre-maid railings or stairs for your deck that are available at home improvement centers. Choose a style that blends well with the architecture of your deck. Apply a preservative finish to all parts of your deck to protect it against the harsh outdoor elements.

Labels: do it yourself, outdoor decks, woodworking

by: Router Table Depot

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