how to build a deck « Cedar Country Lumber

If you haven’t already, please be sure to visit our previous blog, Tips for Designing Your Dream Deck. Once you have determined the deck you want to build, here are some tips to help you get closer to having the deck of your dreams!

#1 – Before You Do ANYTHING else, contact your local Building Department to discuss what permitting is required and what you will need to do in order to obtain a permit, such as drawings, fees, etc. Next, contact your utility companies to ensure no lines will be disturbed or disrupted.

Figuring Your Materials

After you determined your joist spacing and size, deck height, and footing requirements (see Designing Your Dream Deck if you need help with this), put your framing package list together. Be sure to include a count of corrosion-resistant fasteners, including all the joist hangers, post bases, post to beam to connectors, as well as any flashing that is needed.

All deck framing should be Ground Contact Pressure-Treated material with a minimum ACQ rating 0.40 pcf.

Decking needed per 100 square feet (includes 5% waste)

4” product – 320 lineal feet
6” product – 210 linear feet

Determining the correct number of fasteners will vary based on the decking selected and joist spacing. When face screwing (or nailing) a 6” product down on framing that is 16” on center, you will need approximately 350 screws per 100 square feet, and approximately 480 screws per 100 square feet with the same 16” on center joist framing for 4” material, when using two screws per joist. For other types of fasteners, refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

If you have selected to use Western Red Cedar as your decking, now is the right time to
determine what product you will use to help protect the wood. We recommend using good quality penetrating oil product with mold and mildew inhibitors, as well as UV protection, such as Ultra Premium Red Label Penofin. This should be applied to all four sides of the decking before installation for optimum results.

If you have selected an exotic hardwood for your decking, such as Red Balau “Mahogany” or Ipe, you can either choose to apply a penetrating oil to the wood to help it maintain its beautiful color prior to installation (all four sides is recommended), or if you wish for it to simply weather to a beautiful silvery – grey, you can skip this step.

Other Items Needed

Chalk Line
Circular Saw
Concrete
Hammer
Crescent Wrench
Drill and Bits
Dust Mask
Extension Cord
Framing Square
Gloves
Hearing Protection
Hand Saw
Hoe & Hose (to mix concrete)
Ladder
Level
Nail Set
Pencil
Pick
Plumb Bob
Post Hole Digger
Ruler
Safety Glasses
Screwdrivers
Shims
Shovel
Socket Wrench
String
Tape Measure
Tool Belt
Wheelbarrow

Getting Ready to Build

Once your materials have arrived on the job site, keep them covered when not in use to keep them clean, as well as to prevent twisting and warping, especially when it is hot or under direct sunlight. They should also not be stored directly on the ground, as they will absorb moisture.

Framing Tips

When framing your new deck, be sure to allow for proper water drainage. A deck should angle away from the structure a minimum of 1/8” for every 8 feet to reduce the possibility of standing water. In general, a deck should be installed 18” off the ground for proper airflow (or as specified by the decking manufacturer) to provide adequate ventilation to minimize cupping and warping of the deck top.

It is advised to wear gloves while handling pressure treated materials and to always use ear and eye protection when sawing, drilling or cutting wood. Leftover scraps of pressure-treated materials should be disposed of properly. Never burn them.

Install the ledger to the house. This will provide stability to the deck. Use string to find your footings and to ensure your deck is square. Remove the sod and dig your footings for the posts. Post holes should be at least 24” deep or up to 4’ deep, depending on the frost line in your area, as well as the height of the column.

Install your perimeter posts, then attach your beams to your posts. Attach braces to any posts over 5’ high. Next, layout your joists and install them using either joist hangers or by toenailing. Add blocking between your joists to minimize warping.

Decking Tips

When installing the deck top, be sure to allow for adequate gaps between boards. This provides ventilation, as well as room for water to drain away. Inadequate gap space between boards puts additional strain on the fasteners and can cause broken screws or nail pops. Avoid over-driving any fasteners.

When face screwing any hardwood decking, pre-drilling is recommended; as well as when screwing or nailing close to the edge of any wood board to minimize splitting. Allow small gaps between butt joints to allow the material to expand and contract during weather changes.

Measure once, cut twice!

Our team of experts are available to assist you with questions regarding product selection and materials.

Before your next project, be sure to visit us!

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington, WA

360.757.6343

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

We Ship Nationwide!

A properly planned for and constructed deck can add significant value and curb appeal to your home. A place to bring family and friends together outdoors, it also helps make memories.

Here are some tips for bringing your dream into reality.

Deck Location

Using an existing doorway that provides access to your deck is a great place to start. If that is not an option, consider converting an existing window into a door that will allow access to the deck off your home’s kitchen or dining room for ease of access. Another consideration when planning where your new deck will be, is what time of day it is likely to be used and whether you prefer outdoor activities directly in the sun or in the shade.

Deck Size

When determining the size of your deck, consider what types of activities you will be enjoying, as well as how many people will likely be participating in those activities on your new deck. Take into consideration the size of all pieces of outdoor furniture, grill, hot tub or other items you will place on the deck, as well as the deck’s size in proportion to your home and surroundings.

A deck that is 12×12’ could reasonably accommodate a small round patio table and four chairs. On average, most decks range in between 200 and 300 square feet.

Deck Height

To ensure a smooth transition going inside and out, the top of your deck should be just below the bottom of the door’s threshold. Should you want the deck higher or lower to capture a view, or if your lot is sloped, consider building a deck with multi-layers and/or adding stairs. A multi-level deck can add interest to your deck where you can designate certain areas for certain types of activities.

Once you have determined your deck height, be sure to check your local building codes to determine if railings will be needed around the deck at all levels, as those will need to be budgeted in.

Deck Top

With so many decking options to choose from on the market today, finding a budget that works for you and a general idea of the deck material you desire (wood vs. man-made materials) is a great place to start narrowing down what product is right for you for the deck top.

A deck top constructed of Knotty Western Red Cedar will provide many years of service and currently is the most cost-effective option; while the cost of clear grades of Cedar decking will be on the high end of the scale.

If you love the look and feel of real wood and are interested in exploring other decking options, Red Batu, commonly referred to as “Mahogany”, is an extremely durable hardwood that is sustainably harvested and is currently the best priced hardwood decking option we offer. Going up the scale is Ipe “Ironwood”, as well as other exotic hardwoods such as Tigerwood, Purple Heart.

If a deck top constructed out of man-made materials, such as composite or cellular PVC, is more interesting to you, we offer a wide range of products produced by Timbertech and AZEK. Backed with excellent support and warranties, these products have a fairly wide range of price points and colors to select from.

No matter what product you choose, regular cleaning and maintenance will be required. How much of it is determined by the product you choose and the look you want to maintain.

Deck Framing

Now that you have determined the size and height of your deck, as well as the decking you like, configuring the proper framing for the deck is the next order of business. The size of the deck, as well as the number of footings and beams, local building codes, decking type, and manufacturer’s recommendations all need to be factored in.

In general, the framing joists are spaced 16” apart when using a 5/4×6″ decking product, but can vary based on the decking product selected.

Recommended joist spacing for Western Red Cedar Decking

Thickness (in.)	Width (in.)	Grade Category (in.)	Span
1-1/4	4	All clear grade categories	16
1-1/4	4	All knotty grade categories	12
1-1/4	6	All clear and knotty grade categories	16
2	4	All clear and knotty grade categories	24
2	6	All clear and knotty grade categories	24

The joist size need is directly related to the size of the deck. Joists spaced 16 inches on center can span 1.5 times in feet their depth in inches. A 2×8 up to 12 feet; 2×10 to 15 feet and 2×12 to 18 feet.

Using high quality pressure treated lumber is recommended. Use caution when choosing products based solely on price, as there are differences in the type of wood used, as well as pressure treating products and methods.

Deck Fasteners

Selecting the right fasteners for the job is often overlooked until the very last minute, however, all the fasteners and hardware used to construct your deck should be a priority. A properly constructed deck relies on all the connection points of the under framing to stay firmly connected and the deck top to stay securely fastened down.

Fasteners should be selected based on your application, environment, and the material being used. All fasteners for outdoor use should be corrosion resistant, and special care should be taken when selecting products that will be installed near saltwater.

Most decking can be secured using nails, screws or hidden fasteners, and should be selected based on the look you desire, as well as the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Deck Add Ons

Should your new dream deck require a railing, there are countless options in both wood and man-made materials, including powder-coated aluminum, stainless steel cable, composite materials, and glass. These can be mixed and matched is countless options to provide the exact look you desire.

When selecting a railing, always be sure the railing you select complies with local building codes and follow all manufacturer’s recommendations for installation.

Adding built-in planter boxes, benches, timber frame structures or a pergola can help define your deck as a custom outdoor living area. To elevate the feeling of your new outdoor living area to a welcoming extension of your home, add lighting, a fireplace or patio heater, and carefully selected accessories.

Need some inspiration to help you visualize your dream deck? We have a great gallery of projects on Pinterest just waiting for you!

For help in selecting the right materials for your job, as well as help designing your dream deck, please contact our team of professionals to assist you.

Call us today 360.757.6343