Chris Marshall - The complete guide to decks

DECKS

Copyright 2009, 2011.
Creative Publishing international, Inc.
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401
1-800-328-0590
www.creativepub.com
All rights reserved

Printed in China

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President/CEO: Ken Fund
VP for Sales & Marketing: Kevin Hamric

Home Improvement Group

Publisher: Bryan Trandem
Managing Editor: Tracy Stanley
Senior Editor: Mark Johanson
Editor: Jennifer Gehlhar

Creative Director: Michele Lanci-Altomare
Senior Design Managers: Jon Simpson, Brad Springer
Design Managers: James Kegley

Lead Photographer: Steve Galvin
Photo Coordinator: Joanne Wawra
Shop Manager: Bryan McLain
Shop Assistant: Cesar Fernandez Rodriguez

Production Managers: Linda Halls, Laura Hokkanen

Digital edition: 978-1-61673-740-5

Softcover edition: 978-1-58923-412-3

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

The complete guide to decks. -- Updated 4th ed.
p. cm.
At head of title: Black & Decker.
Includes the newest products & fasteners; add an outdoor kitchen.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Summary: Teaches the process of designing, building and maintaining a deck. Includes the latest contemporary options, such as how to work with eco-friendly wood and reclaimed plastic--Provided by publisher.
ISBN-13: 978-1-58923-412-3 (soft cover)
ISBN-10: 1-58923-412-X (soft cover)
1. Decks (Architecture, Domestic)--Design and construction--Amateurs manuals. I. Black & Decker Corporation (Towson, Md.) II. Creative Publishing International. III. Title: Black & Decker, the complete guide to decks.
TH4970.C645 2009
690.893--dc22

2008039012

NOTICE TO READERS

For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when following the procedures described in this book. The publisher and Black & Decker cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided.

The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for various applications. In some instances, additional techniques not shown in this book may be required. Always follow manufacturers instructions included with products, since deviating from the directions may void warranties. The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required: some may not be appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help.

Consult your local building department for information on building permits, codes, and other laws as they apply to your project.

The Complete Guide to Decks
Created by: The Editors of Creative Publishing international, Inc., in cooperation with Black & Decker. Black & Decker is a trademark of The Black & Decker Corporation and is used under license.

A deck is an excellent tool for extending the living space of your home into the outdoors while offering a good return on your investment. But perhaps best of all, you can build a spectacular deck all by yourself, regardless of your do-it-yourself experience, as long as you have the know-how. This fully revised and updated edition of The Complete Guide to Decks offers everything youll need to design and build your dream deck correctly and safelythe first time.

The book begins with a gallery of beautiful decks to help get your creative juices flowing. The next chapter will walk you through each phase of the planning and design process. Youll learn how to evaluate your deck site options, interpret important building codes, draft plans, and get a quick tutorial of deck-building basics.

Next, youll find an in-depth guide to the entire building process, with each chapter focused on a major deck component: erecting structural support, laying decking, constructing stair systems, and installing railings. To conclude the construction portion of the book, well show you how to finish (or refinish) your dream deck as well as how to make repairs as the deck ages.

With very few exceptions, building a deck requires a hard plan and detailed drawings. There are many sources for these plans, including the last section of this book. In it you will find ten complete deck plans, each with measured drawings and step-by-step instructions. You will also see several step-by-step projects for customizing your deck, such as turning an underdeck area into a functional screen patio, installing a hot tub or transforming your deck into an impressive outdoor kitchen or entertaining space.

In the final section of the book, well help you ramp up your tool collection for building a deck by discussing both common and specialty tools that can give you a leg up in deck building. This section also provides essential information about building materials, including structural lumber, wood or composite decking options, fasteners, connecting hardware, and concrete.

With the help of this comprehensive book, you will be able to build a beautiful, long-lasting deck just the way you like itsafely, quickly, and economically. Were confident youll see why The Complete Guide to Decks continues to be the premiere deck-building manual for do-it-yourselfers and pros alike.

Deck-building Glossary

Baluster a vertical railing member.

Batterboards temporary stake structures used for positioning layout strings.

Beam the main horizontal support for the deck, usually made from a pair of 2 8s or 2 10s attached to the deck posts.

Blocking short pieces of lumber cut from joist material and fastened between joists for reinforcement.

Cap the topmost horizontal railing member.

Cantilever a common construction method (employed in some of the deck plans in this book) that involves extending the joists beyond the beam. The maximum overhang is specified in the Building Code.

Corner-post design a construction method that incorporates posts at the outside edges of the deck, so the joists do not overhang the beam.

Decking the floor boards of a deck (also known as deck boards).

End joists the joists that are at each end of a series of parallel joists.

Face board attractive wood, usually redwood or cedar, used to cover the rim joists and end joists.

Footing a concrete pier that extends below the frost line and that bears the weight of the deck and any inset structures or furnishings.

Horizontal span the horizontal distance a stairway covers.

Inset an area of a deck that has been cut out to accommodate landscape features such as trees or to provide access to fixtures.