Expanding your living space by adding a deck is a great American tradition. You can eat dinner, host parties and even relax on the deck. This way you can have time to enjoy the spring and summer weather. You can hire a pro to make a deck or if you are on a budget, make a deck with your family. It is a great way to expand your skills. Asking someone to build a deck cost thousands of money. However, even if you want to build your own deck, it doesn't hurt if you have a conversation with a pro about what needs to be done. It is always great to ask someone who knows what they are doing.
If you do build your own deck, it is best to start off small rather than big, as you can always expand on it later.
FREESTANDING VS SECURING TO THE HOUSE
A freestanding deck is a self supporting deck that are built independently from a house wall ledger board attachment. Some freestanding decks stand alone in an open area, such as above ground pool decks. The decks that are secure to the house are just as it sound. Its attached to your home.
Most people choose to have a freestanding deck since it can support itself and doesn't put extra weight into the house. This is helpful to those people who have an older house. There won't be any drilling into your house and it is easier to replace your older deck.
Those decks are becoming more popular and common in Staten Island as homeowners strive to update their house to creates additional space.
Deck Footings VS Piers
Deck footings are the concrete base that is used to support a post or deck pier. Many times, a deck footing can be installed above ground and may resemble a concrete vase with a large pole in it. However, most owners prefer the footing for a deck to be installed several feet underground so people won't see it.
A deck pier is a post that is installed into the concrete footing and used to support the base of the deck. Most of the time, deck piers are made of treated lumber that is either round or square. In most cases, deck piers will be at least 4 inches across. But, some owners might want the deck piers to be bigger in diameter since the wider the diameter, the stronger it will be.
Wood VS Composite Deck
Composite decking arrives as a finished product and never needs sanding, staining, or painting. They just need some occasional soap and water cleaning. Wood needs to be finished after installation and then every 1-2 years they need to be polish again, which means spending a significant amount of time maintaining that deck. Composite decks are also cheaper and safer as Wood-plastic composite decks don't splinter, split, crack, or rot, which makes outdoor space safer for children, pets, and barefoot fun.
Fiberon composite decking is made of locally-sourced recycled plastic and other materials. By using these materials helps prevent tons of plastic and other waste from ending up in landfills or incinerators every year. This can further prevent deforestation.
The Process
Step 1-- Measure the dimensions of the yard and see how big you might want the deck to be. Then helps center the placement of the deck by using strings tied to wood stakes. Continually measure and adjust the stakes until the strings to form a square and level representation of the deck dimensions.
Step 2-- Use bright paints or anything to mark the ground. The marks represent the deck's four corners and midpoints, which indicates the placement of the deck's eight concrete support posts, called caissons.
Step 3-- Use a power auger or anything to quickly bore 15-inch holes at the marked locations ans then remove any remaining dirt using a posthole digger.
Step 4-- If the yard's slope slightly away from the house, the lower holes need extra height to reach the level of the string. Cut a cardboard caisson tube to length and rest the segments on the lower holes. These now serve as concrete forms.
Step 5-- Get a batch of concrete, shovel it into the holes and lop off the excess using a spare wood stake. Before allowing the concrete to cure for 48 hours, embed a J-bolt into each caisson. This will help tie down the deck.
Step 6-- Now you can start the frame of the deck.
Step 7-- Fit the four perimeter boards onto anchor plates set on the caissons. Later, these anchors help permanently tie the deck down. With the main boards in place, secure them together by nailing on corner brackets.
Step 8-- Finish the frame by installing treated joists. After installing steel joist hangers at 16-inch intervals, set in the joists and nail them in.
Step 9-- Having attached all the joists, finish up the deck by installing the material for the deck.
Step 10-- Finally, complete the deck. Fasten the wood portions to the caissons by bolting down the anchor brackets and driving in nails through the perimeter.
Looking to find a house to build your own deck? We here at Tom Crimmins Realty, are here to help if you have any questions or are wishing to buy a house; Stop by our office at 304 Manor Rd or contact us over the phone at 718-370-3200 or check out our website here to get the advice of experienced agents on the home buying and selling process.
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