There’s a lot to keep track of when building a deck. Besides making sure it’s safe, you have to keep in mind things like the fact that there might be buried water or gas pipes, air conditioning equipment and so on.

Before you start deck building, decide on your strategy. This will determine your land base and colors as well as your mana curve. Contact Deck Builders Franklin TN for professional help.
The posts and beams that support the deck provide its structural integrity. To make sure they can withstand the load of a deck, you must ensure that the post-to-beam connections are strong and sturdy. Most building codes require the use of metal connectors at these points to prevent rot and decay. For best results, ask your builder about the best post-to-beam connectors for your design and the local climate. The posts also need to be properly sized and located.
Footings are concrete pillars that transfer the weight of the deck to the ground. They should be below the frost line, which varies by region, to avoid cracking and shifting as the soil freezes and thaws. If your deck will be elevated, you may need to install additional footings or use piers instead of standard posts.
Once the footings are in place, you can start to build your deck frame. First, mark the perimeter of your deck with stakes driven into the ground and a string run between them to help you line up the post brackets later on. Before you set the posts, use a mason’s level to check that they are plumb.
To construct the beams, cut pointed spacers from a sheet of 1/2-inch pressure-treated plywood (the points prevent rainwater from sitting on the wood and soaking in). Fasten each spacer, point up, to two beam lengths with 3d galvanized screws or 16d galvanized box nails. Then, stack the beam pieces together and fasten them to each other with the spacers sandwiched between.
If your deck design calls for joists at a certain spacing, measure and mark the joist locations on the ledger and beams. You should then use a joist calculator to determine the size of the joists. Typically, 2x 10s are used for joists that are 16″ or 24″ o.c.
The joists must be securely connected to the posts and the ledger, using blocking as needed. The joists should also be nailed to the posts with 8d galvanized nails at least every 6 inches. The post-to-beam connection is a critical part of the structure, so you should not try to save money by cutting corners in this area. For example, notching posts to facilitate the post-to-beam connection can lead to long-term problems because moisture and rot are more likely to occur in these areas.
Joists
The joists are the skeleton that supports the deck surface and, ultimately, the entire structure. The size and spacing of joists depend on a number of factors, including the shape and location of the deck. Heavier materials like composites may require joists closer together to distribute the load better. Joists also need to be spaced to accommodate the span of any deck boards you’re using.
Once the posts are in place and the concrete footings are set, the joists can be installed. Joists are typically made from pressure treated lumber, though engineered wood options like LVL and I-joists are available to provide more structural flexibility. They’re not only more versatile than traditional lumber, but they can be used in ways that wouldn’t be possible with treated wood.
It’s important to use a level to make sure the joists are straight, but it’s even more crucial to have accurate measurements when building the joists themselves. The best way to do this is to mark each joist layout with a chalk line, a laser measurement tool or another method of accurate measuring. This will help you avoid over- or under-sizing your joists, which can cause the deck to sag over time.
The joists in the middle of a deck are called floor joists and the joists at the end of the deck are called rim joists. The joists need to be fastened to the ledger and the house framing with a metal connector called a joist hanger.
For most decks, joist spacing should never be more than 16” on center. This will provide a stiffer feel for the deck and allow for proper support of the decking material. If you are using a heavier decking material, this could be increased to 12” on center.
It’s also important to install blocking between the joists, to keep them from twisting laterally out of alignment with each other. This will keep your deck from sagging over time, as well as helping to prevent any moisture penetration into the lumber and potential rot. You can also protect your joists from moisture by applying a waterproof joist tape to the tops of the joists.
Decking
Decking is the material that makes up the surface of a deck. It’s available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. It’s often made from wood, but there are also options that are composite and plastic. Regardless of what type of decking you choose, it’s crucial to protect it from the elements with proper care and maintenance.
A well-designed deck adds livable space to your home and increases its value. Yardzen survey data shows that many homeowners are adding outdoor dining spaces, a fire pit and other features to their homes that are designed to encourage entertaining.
When selecting lumber for your project, consider whether it’s kiln-dried or not. If it’s not, it may need to sit for weeks to dry out before you can begin construction. Make sure to store the lumber away from direct sunlight and moisture, and put it on blocks to keep it off the ground and let air circulate evenly around it. When stacking lumber, use 2×2 spacers (called stickers) between pieces to prevent them from rubbing together and causing humps or dents in the surface.
Most decks are built on the ground, but if you want to build one that’s raised off the ground, you’ll need footings. These concrete pillars support the frame of your deck and spread the weight over a greater surface area to avoid putting too much strain on your joists. In cold climates, the bottom of the footings should extend below the frost line to prevent them from shifting as the ground freezes and thaws.
Wood decking is usually made from a durable, weather-resistant wood like cedar or redwood. It’s also popular to use pressure-treated pine, which has been treated with chemicals that help it resist rot and insects.
Another option for decking is modified wood, like Kebony, that takes a sustainable softwood species and applies a non-toxic liquid to change its internal cell structure to make it more dense. This increases its ability to withstand the stresses of heavy traffic and boosts its visual appeal, as it ages to a beautiful silver-gray color. Stair stringers, which support the stair treads and risers, are often closer together than deck joists to ensure they’re strong enough to handle the extra load that stairs require. They can be attached to ladder frames, joists or stair headers depending on where you need them.
Railings and Stairs
Stairs and railings are an essential part of deck building, adding safety, beauty and functionality to your outdoor space. While most homeowners choose to build their stair and railings from wood, other materials such as metal or concrete can be used to create a sleek, modern look. To ensure that your stairs and railings are safe, it is important to follow the guidelines set by your local building codes. These requirements can be found online, at your local municipality’s website or by consulting with a professional who is familiar with the code in your area.
A deck’s railing is the safety barrier that prevents people from falling off the structure. It is typically built from posts, railing boards, balusters and spindles. The size of the balusters is a personal choice, but for safety, they should be spaced no more than 3.5 ” apart. The railing posts are usually made from pressure treated wood. They connect to the joists through through bolts or lag screws. The ledger board, which connects the post to the house, must be fastened to the joists with hot zinc coated or stainless steel through bolts or lag screws.
When designing your stair railing, it is important to consider the height requirements of your local building code. You can find detailed information about these requirements at your local building department’s website or by consulting with a construction professional who is familiar with the code in your location.
It is also important to use precise measurements to ensure that the stair’s stringers are correctly cut to provide stability. To do this, extend a straight edge from the proposed landing point down to the ground to measure the total rise directly below the steps. Then, using this measurement and the stair angle, you can calculate how high your stair should be.
Once you have the stair structure in place, you can add the railing. For a classic look, you can install traditional round wood balusters. Other options include glass railings, wrought iron or metal railing systems or composite deck rails. The final decision should be based on your desired aesthetic and the overall design of the deck.