In today’s blog, we are going to talk about the process of building a deck in a step-by-step format. We will go over this in general terms because there could be, for example, significant differences in the steps for building a small deck compared to a giant one with embedded lighting. Also, if you use professionals to build your deck, they will already know many things that the DIY specialist will not. So, consider this a very general process.
Step 1
Acquaint yourself with your local building codes or HOA or strata rules as applicable. These are important to know even before you draw anything out because you need to know how far you have to be from property lines, or how high railings need to be, or if you even need railings. Is there anything that restricts the size of your deck or the color or what it is made of?
Step 2
Draw out even free hand or to scale what you want. There are plenty of free programs that will help you to draw something to scale or you could pay someone to do it. You could get some help from a designer who can help with this step. Look at it from all angles and consider if the deck will function the way you want it to. For example, is there enough room to circulate around a table and chairs. Do you need any privacy walls or wind screens? Do you want to erect anything for shade like a pergola attached to the deck? If you want anything special or built-in for lighting, plan for it now. It is much easier to change plans than it is to change the deck once the building is underway. You are creating a custom deck to suit your specific needs. Remember that for the top decking, it is possible to do something creative instead of all the boards running in one direction parallel to the house.
Step 3
Once you have the deck looking the way you want, you will need to figure out the structure needed underneath to support the weight. A complete discussion of this particular topic is beyond the scope of this short article. Just be aware that depending on your jurisdiction, the deck will have to support a certain amount of weight per square foot of deck (for people and snow), and that will determine how many footings you need and where they will need to be placed.
Step 4
Once you know what the upper (visible) structure will be and the underneath (invisible) structure will be, then you can buy your materials. Don’t forget to buy fasteners and whatever you plan to finish the deck with.
Step 5
Build you deck starting with the footings, and from the bottom up. Sometimes footings will take a couple of days if you embed them in concrete because the concrete has to dry. Depending on the type of deck you choose, you may also need to attach the deck to the house early in the construction.
Step 6
Enjoy. Once your deck is done, steps and railings are finished, and the deck is sealed or painted or neither if you’re using a composite product, you can furnish it and start to enjoy the fruits of your labours.
If you need some help building or rebuilding your deck, give us a call on the Lower Mainland at (604) 626-7100 and let us help you. This is our area of expertise. We can help you design and build any custom deck you want.
Deck Experts, based in Surrey, BC, are professional deck builders with a long track record of success. We offer free estimates and long warranties and can build or fix any deck around. If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about decks, please call us at (604) 626-7100.
