You Don’t Have to Be a Master Carpenter to Build Great Decks

Sure, you could hire a construction crew to come to your home and build your new deck. You could spend a lot of money, put up with the delays, and deal with contractors tromping through your bed of prize-winning begonias.

Or you could do it yourself.

It’s not hard. Decks aren’t rocket science – mostly, it’s a matter of simply finding a good plan and following it closely. Sure, there are codes to follow and guidelines to remember, but as long as you remember a few simple rules of thumb and choose the best decking material, there’s no reason you can’t build yourself a deck (or – as long as we’re instilling confidence – decks).

Of course, decking isn’t a project you can finish in an afternoon (unless your deck is going to be two feet by three feet – but decks this small are often technically considered large stairs). You’ll need to plan extensively, and ask yourself a series of questions about what you’ll actually use the deck for, and what kind of decking (whether wood or maintenance-free composite decking you’ll use. The longer you spend in the planning process, the more smoothly construction process will go, so try to anticipate every detail. Pay a visit to your local zoning office to ask what their construction regulations dictate.

All decks have five basic components:

• Vertical posts set in a concrete footing. These provide the foundation for your decking.
• Horizontal beams set on the posts.
• Joists between those beams, to distribute the weight of the deck.
• Decking laid over the joists – this is the part you’ll walk on.
• Railings, typically at least three feet high, around the edges of the deck.

There are a variety of decking plans to peruse online, some of which are free (and many of which are inexpensive). Take some time with a search engine to find the plan that’s best for your home.

Decks can be any shape you want them to be, so don’t limit yourself to 90-degree angles. Of course, a more complicated building plan will entail more work and invite more potential complications, so be sure to work within your means.

Remember also that decks can have multiple levels – this is especially true of pool decks and decks built on sloping ground. Some decks even look like balconies, extending from the upper floor of a home. Remember that decks that rise more than about four feet from the ground are usually required to have reinforced bracing to prevent swaying and buckling; check with your local zoning office for details.