Deck building involves the installation of a deck framework, piers and posts. For most projects, a permit is required to make sure that the deck is structurally sound.
A deck requires solid footings to support the posts that hold up the rest of the structure. You have several footing options to choose from, including poured concrete and precast concrete. Poured concrete footings involve digging a hole of the correct size below the frost line, and filling it with wet concrete. Metal brackets are then attached to the top of the footing to hold a deck post. This type of footing is labor-intensive and expensive, especially in colder climates, but it’s strong enough for most homes. Contact Deck Builders Murfreesboro for professional help.
Precast concrete footings are a more affordable option. They’re also easy to install, but they may not be strong enough for some decks, and you might need to add bridging or blocking between joists.
Regardless of your choice of footing, you should always take the time to survey the soil conditions and weather patterns in your area before starting to build. Softer soils, like clay, won’t be able to support heavy loads without wide footing holes. Buried post footings work well in these types of soil, while helical pile footings are the best for hard ground that needs high levels of foundational support.
The next step in a deck-building project is to lay down the joists. Wooden planks called floorboards rest on these joists, which are usually made of pressure treated lumber or other composite materials. Joists typically run 16 inches apart, though you can go wider if necessary. Checking that joists are level and square by measuring diagonals is a must before you fasten them down.
Once your joists are in place, you can start building the frame of your deck. Decks can be attached to houses via a ledger board, which is secured with lag bolts, or they can be freestanding, as most people prefer. If you’re attaching your deck to a brick house or wall, be sure the brick is reinforced with rebar.
Once your deck is complete, you need to care for it to protect its value and extend its life. Ensure water drains away from the deck, and grade the soil as needed. You should also use galvanized metal connectors to lift posts away from direct contact with the ground, and seal or stain your deck every two to three years to guard against sun damage and rot.
Piers
The piers and posts that support a deck are the foundation of your outdoor space. Whether you’re building a freestanding or attached deck, a strong and sturdy foundation is vital for the longevity of your new outdoor structure.
Depending on your location and soil conditions, there are many different ways to create a deck foundation. Some options include concrete footings that are poured into dug holes, precast piers that are bought and simply placed, or helical piles that are screwed into the ground for extra stability in certain locations. Choosing the right type of footing for your project is an important decision that should be made well in advance, as it can affect the overall construction timeline and the safety of your deck over time.
Traditional concrete deck footings require a long process of digging holes, laying forms, pouring in the concrete, and letting it cure. This method is labor-intensive and often requires special equipment and expertise. The end result is a solid, durable deck foundation that can hold the weight of your outdoor living space and other structures like hot tubs. The disadvantage of this method is that concrete footings can be subject to frost heave, where the expansive soils rise during colder weather.
Deck pier blocks are an alternative to traditional concrete footings that offer greater speed and flexibility during the deck build. This deck foundation option eliminates the need to dig holes and pour in the concrete, which saves time and money. Additionally, pier blocks are a good choice for projects in hard-to-dig areas or when a quick, reliable foundation is needed. The drawback to using pier blocks is that they may not be as durable and stable as concrete footings, especially in harsh weather conditions such as wind and snow.
Posts
Deck posts anchor railings and balusters, and they’re also responsible for supporting joists that support the subflooring. They’re typically made of wood, but they can also be steel or concrete. The type of post you choose depends on a number of factors, including your deck’s load requirements and its design. For example, the larger the deck, the heavier the loads it will have to carry, so you’ll need to select a stronger, more durable material for the posts.
Your choice of deck post material will also affect how long your posts last and how easy it is to maintain them. Wood options like pressure-treated pine and cedar require regular staining and sealing to preserve their appearance and help them resist decay and wood-boring insect infestation.
The most common deck posts are 4×4 and 6×6 timbers, but other sizes can be used as well. Whichever size you choose, be sure the lumber is pressure-treated southern yellow pine with a label that states it’s suitable for ground contact. It’s important to use treated wood because untreated wood is susceptible to moisture and can rot in the soil.
Whether you’re using buried or elevated post footings, install them correctly to avoid future problems. Dig the footings deep enough to provide adequate strength. Then, pour the concrete and secure a pressure-treated post to it.
Elevated post footings are more durable than buried ones, but they require a bit of extra work to install them. First, you’ll need to dig a hole below the frost line and then pour the concrete. Then, you’ll secure a treated wood post to the concrete.
Buried post footings are easier to install than elevated ones, but they may not be as strong. This type of footing requires you to dig below the frost line and then pour a concrete footing, after which you’ll secure a treated wood post into it. Buried posts are also susceptible to wood rot in the ground because they have direct contact with it. This can cause them to fail within 15 years, whereas elevated posts aren’t.
Railings
A deck must have railings, and there are a number of options available. They can be made of wood, vinyl, aluminum or composite. They should match the style of the deck and complement the home’s architecture. Aesthetic compatibility should be considered along with cost and maintenance needs. Wood railings are more traditional and can be stained or painted to match the deck. However, they require a lot of maintenance to keep them looking great. Aluminum and vinyl rails are low maintenance and are more budget friendly than wood.
The railing posts, or balusters, support the deck and are a safety feature to prevent people from falling off the deck. They are usually wood, but they can also be made of iron or other materials such as glass. They can be straight, curved, or have decorative designs and they can be mounted on the wall of the house, on the deck frame, or on the ledger board.
Stairs must have handrails for safety and to help people ascend or descend them. They can be made of wood or other materials and they may be curved to match a circular deck on a log home. The International Residential Code (IRC) requires that stair handrails be at least 36 inches high, but local codes might differ.
The deck joists, or beams, are the vertical members that support the decking and create a space for seating and other activities. They can be constructed from wood, but more durable and long-lasting materials such as ipe or teak are becoming increasingly popular.
In some cases, a deck can be built without joists, using piers that are secured to the ground and act as the base of the structure. This is often the case when a deck is located close to a water source or in an area where soil shifting can occur. Piers can also be used to assist with drainage problems.
The ledger, which connects the house and the posts on the perimeter of the deck, is usually a piece of pressure-treated lumber. However, some decks use concrete piers or steel posts. The ledger should be at least 8 feet above the ground, and it should be supported by the footings or piers and by the joists that will carry the deck’s load.