Quick Deck Building Tips
Nothing beats having a relaxed day on the deck in the summer. You have the barbeque going, some cool drinks ready, and a couple of friends over for an enjoyable time. A good deck is well worth the time and effort needed to put it together. Not only can it give you peaceful moments and entertainment benefits, but it also increases the value of your house. If you are in the market for a new deck this year, here are a few deck building tips that will make the goal easier to achieve.
Legal Considerations
First and foremost, check your local bylaws regarding the building of decks. They will provide you with the mandatory safety regulations, as well as the rules concerning building specifications. The laws may limit the height and width of your deck, prohibit privacy screens, and dictate the distance required between your deck and the boundaries of your property. Without consideration to these regulations, you may be subject to fines.Location and Orientation
Most people choose to sit in the spot on the deck with the most amount of sun; however, some make it a point to stay out of the sun. Whatever the case, it is important to work out the ideal location to build your deck, be it on the sunny or shady side of the house. You may opt for an area that could possibly have both, depending on the shape of your lot and the surrounding trees.Design
Spend some hours designing your ideal deck on paper before starting the task - it will save you time and money in the long run. It is easy to work out different scenarios on paper, and you can avoid potential mistakes. If you plan your deck measurements in 2 or 4 foot increments, you will have less left over wood, and it makes for a tighter and quicker construction.Consider the shape of your deck, and any extras you may want to add in order to give it a practical feature or an attractive look. You can spice up your design by wrapping the deck around the corner of the house, by including built-in seats, or by putting a 45 degree slant on the corners.
Measure Meticulously
Yeah, yeah, you have heard this before. But, not only do you have to measure twice before you cut once, as the old adage says, but you must also measure the lumber at the store. Although lumber is generally advertised in certain lengths, pieces can occasionally be an inch or two longer or shorter than specified. Any unexpected mismatch may throw your plan off.Material
The most important deck buildingtip is this: build your deck with pressure treated lumber (P.T.L.) - do not use regular wood. A deck built with regular wood needs to be renewed every 5 years or so due to constant exposure to the elements.Hopefully these deck building tips will generate ideas for you, save you time and money, and in the end, give you the amazing deck you always wanted. Enjoy your summer!
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