Stunning Diy Deck Built On A Budget
I think this is my most DIY favorite project I have ever done, and The Home Depot definitely made it all happen! From the friendly staff, to all of their tools, and the ideas on their , Home Depot really does have everything you need to make a big project, like a DIY deck!
First off, this is very possible to accomplish on your own! I am not a professional carpenter or contractor, but this project is easy enough to do. But if you are adventurous enough, and have a few extra hands, building your very own deck is very possible!
Why build your own deck? For me, it came down to learning some new skills and saving lots of money! It is so extremely rewarding to stand on a deck that you have created with your own two hands. The bragging rights are unparalleled! And more importantly, you can save so much money! To pay someone to build a deck my size with typical materials would cost between $6,000 and $8,000! My deck came in under $900, since all I paid for was lumber, cement, and screws. Wow, right?
Lets build a deck!
Solve Water Problems First
This corner of the patio had settled by more than 2 in. over the years. That meant a big reservoir after rainand water in the basement. So we filled the reservoir with exterior-grade self-leveling compound. After the first batch hardened, we poured on a thin coat and gave it a slight slope so water would run away from the house.
Self-leveling compound hardens fast, so you can get on with the project. But it’s also expensive. If you’re not in a rush, you can get similar results for less than one-third the cost with concrete topping mix such as Sakrete Top ‘n Bond or Quikrete Sand/Topping Mix.
We also took a couple of other water-fighting steps. To prevent water from seeping down along the foundation, we caulked the gap between the patio and the house. At the other end of the patio, a corner of the slab had sunk slightly below the level of the soil and rainwater pooled there. To correct that, we shaved off the sod with a spade, dug out a couple of inches of soil and replaced the sod.
Consider Ground Level Deck Ventilation
The ground under a platform deck will get wet. Sustained dampness is the enemy of a ground level deck since it will lead to mold, rot and decay. Make sure you build your deck high enough for ventilation so the ground can dry out. That way, your deck will last longer. Generally, if a deck is less than 12 inches above the ground, the perimeter of the deck must be open for free air to flow beneath the deck.
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Install A Ledger Board
This is the connector between the house and the deck. For the most sturdy connection, attach the board to the house rim joist.;
Use an impact wrench to put lag screws through the ledge onto the house rim joist. As for the size of the lag screws, it would be up to the sizes of your materials.;
In this case
Ask the store to give you the appropriate sizes based on your wood.;
Before A Badly Damaged Concrete Deck Slab
Family Handyman
This was the ultimate bad patio: severely cracked and cratered, some areas raised by frost, others sunken after 50 years of settling. Originally, it was tiled, then the tile was chiseled off and the pockmarked surface got a coat of paint. Luckily, weve got some great outdoor flooring ideas over concrete, starting with building a deck!
A slab with this much damage cant be fixed. But it can be covered upand this article will show you how. The results look just like a deck, but getting them is much easier and less expensive than building a deck from scratch. In most cases, this project is also less expensive than a new patio installed by a contractor. Local contractors estimated costs of $7 to $10 per sq. ft. to remove this patio and pour a new slab. You could probably replace your patio yourself for less than the cost of this project, but DIY demolition and concrete pours are big, backbreaking jobs.
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Laminate Siding For A Curved Rail
Standard 3/4-in.-thick boards are too stiff to bend around a curve. But 1/2-in. x 3-1/2-in. cedar lap siding will work. Rip 1/4 in. from each edge to make square edges. Spread waterproof wood glue over the meeting faces and use lots of clamps to hold it together while the glue sets. In this photo, we ripped the center pieces narrower to create a groove for the rail parts.
Looking for that little something to set your deck apart? Work a sweeping curve into the design. Building a curve into the deck framing is straightforward. Its a little trickier to build curved rails and benches. But if youre up to the challenge, here are some tips to make the job easier.
Keep The Elements At Bay: Make A Roof For Your Backyard Structure
To make the roof for your gazebo, youll need five more 4 x 4 beams, four of them measuring 6 1 in length and one more measuring 8 7. Use your tools to cut a 45-degree angle into one end of each of the four 6 1 beams and attach them to the ends of the fifth beam with the help of bolts, thus forming two triangles at each side of the longer beam.
Make sure you keep an eye out on the 45-degree angles as your roof structure will need to sit flat on the top posts. Now, use bolts to attach the roof to the four supporting beams, and optionally insert adequately sized roof windows following the same pattern as with the side panel panes . After youve attached the roof to the rest of the supporting structure, your gazebos bare-bones are ready for some final finishing touches.
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How Long Do Deck Joists Last
As I mentioned above in talking about pressure treated lumber, the average deck will last between 15-20 years, especially when using pressure-treated lumber that has been waterproofed with a sealer or stain.
One trick to make your deck joists last longer is to coat them with a moisture-resistant stain or sealer before you add the deck boards. The color doesnt really matter since you wont see much of the framing, but it will help make your joists last considerably longer.
The 2 things that damage wood decks the most are sun and moisture that isnt able to evaporate quickly. So make sure the underside of your deck gets good ventilation, and youre likely to see your deck, and the deck joists, last up to 20 years.
Secure Boards For Deck Frame
With the main boards in place, secure them together by nailing on corner brackets.
Place the Main Boards
Keeping the more attractive redwood side out, 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 .
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What’s New: Composite Boards
Composite deck boards made of 75 percent wood fiber and 25 percent polypropylene are surprisingly wood-like in looks and performance. You can paint, stain, or nail through them, and they can even withstand ground contact without rotting or cracking.
Wood 2.0 Decking, from $4 per square foot; techwood.com
How To Build A Paver Patio
This article was co-authored by Scott Johnson. Scott Johnson is the Owner and Lead Design Consultant for Concrete Creations, Inc., an award-winning landscape and design company based in the San Diego, California metro area. He has over 30 years of experience in the pool and landscape construction industry and specializes in large estate outdoor environment construction projects. His work has been featured in San Diego Home & Garden Magazine and on Pool Kings TV Show. He earned a BS degree in Construction Management with an emphasis in Architecture and CAD design from Northern Arizona University.There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 14,973 times.
With the addition of a few rustic paver stones, you can transform a humdrum backyard into an enchanted wilderness escape. All you need is a basic plan for your new patio space and an eye-catching design for the stones themselves. Once the initial planning is out of the way, you can begin the process of excavating your lawn and installing the foundation layer-by-layer. When its all said and done, youll have an idyllic, professional-looking outdoor haven to show for your efforts.
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Putting In A Deck Or Patio
Many homeowners today see outdoor living space as a must-have amenity, as a well-planned deck or patio can add a lot of enjoyment to their home. But the wrong deck or patio can become unused dead space. In the end, a dream of relaxation can become a negative experience and can produce new stress for the homeowner.
Sometimes, local building codes or the terrain of the site dictates whether you build a deck or patio for your clients. In addition to code and topography consideration, builders often must assist clients in deciding if a deck or patio is what they want and need. In those cases, builders need to know how their clients plan to use the new space.
“You have to ask the right questions,” says Casey Loyd, president of Cal Spas in Pomona, Calif. “You have to get them to be honest about their budget, find how they plan to use the space, and how they feel about doing maintenance.”
Casey has seen such a huge demand for outdoor living space, especially in his native Southern California, that his company now offers design and installation services as well.
“A deck is usually the most affordable option, and concrete is often the most durable and lowest maintenance. With all the different material and design options out there now, it shouldn’t be hard to settle on something the homeowner will love,” Casey says.
Casey says certain factors can help determine if a deck is more suitable than a patio:
Layout Footings And Attach The Ledger Board
A raised deck is attached to the house by a ledger and supported on the opposite end by posts set on top of piers. The terms piers and footings are often used interchangeably though they are technically not the same thing. Piers transfer the decks weight into the soil. Footings spread the weight out over a larger area. Depending upon building code requirements and soil conditions in your area, footings may also be required beneath the piers to spread the decks weight out. These specifications will be detailed in your deck drawings and guided by local building codes.;
Your deck drawings will indicate the size of the ledger board, as well as the size, number and location of deck piers or deck footings. In the example video, the builder has opted to lay out the footings first. However, its often easier to set the ledger board first to use it as a reference point. You also wont have to step over any string lines as you install it.;
Here’s how to attach the ledger:;
Here’s how to lay out the footings:
Estimated time for a novice to lay out footing locations: 12 to 14 hours. Time includes removing siding and attaching the ledger.
Tip: Always be sure to wear proper safety gear.
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Excavating And Leveling Your Yard
Choosing The Materials For Your Gazebo
There are many materials that work for building a gazebo, and each has its benefits and disadvantages. Popular materials include aluminum, fiberglass, teak, cedar, redwood and composite. The type of material you choose influences the cost of your project.
Metal and fiberglass are much more durable but less visually appealing, so most people choose some form of wood or composite. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, a wood composite will give the appearance of wood without actually using material from trees. Composite is made from recycled plastics.
If youre more concerned about your budget, its recommended to go with wood products because they are less expensive than composite though surging lumber costs have made the two materials more comparable in price. Aluminum is the cheapest option, but its also the most limiting in regard to visual appeal. Supply and demand in your region will also determine the price you pay for materials.
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Install Front Rim Joist Beams And Interior Joists
Fasten concealed-flange double joist hangers on the ends of the front rim joist’s inner 2xs. Then fit the inner 2xs into the post bases.
Fit a side rim joist into a front hanger, and square the corner. Secure the front rim joist 2x to the post bases with hanger nails. Then drive six 16d nails through the face of the front rim joist into the end of the side rim joist. Repeat with the other side rim joist.
Fasten face-mounted double joist hangers for beams every 8 feet on center along the front rim joist and ledger, flush with their bottom edges.
Fit and nail each beam as described above.
Complete the doubled front rim joist by gluing and nailing the outer 2xs to the inner 2xs.
Install 2x joist hangers along the beams, 16 inches on center.
Attach Short Rafters To Corner Rafters
Attach the Short Roof Rafters
The kit includes 12 short rafters that are pre-cut with the correct angle to meet the other rafters. Two are attached to each corner rafter. They have a birds mouth fitting as well on the header with the tail at the end. Attach the short rafters to the corner rafters with deck screws.
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How To Build Your Own Wooden Gazebo 10 Amazing Projects
A gazebo is not something one expects to see in someones backyard or garden, in many regions being more popular in areas like public parks or party venues. Still, that doesnt make a wooden gazebo an inappropriate addition to a private homes outdoor area. In fact, everyone would love it if they had their own gazebo to enjoy with family and friends so instead of conforming yourself to dreaming about, how about you build your own DIY gazebo and make the most of what summer has to offer? Let the following projects inspire you.
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A traditional gazebo always has a base which is a platform which extends all around it, sometimes forming a sort of small deck which frames the gazebo and mimics its shape or that of the roof. This part has to be planned in detail and carefully executed because its literally at the base of everything else. Check out this project on imgur to find out how this octagon-shaped gazebo platform was built.
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Of course, its not mandatory to give your gazebo a platform base or to even include all the other structural elements that a traditional gazebo has. A cool interpretation of a wooden gazebo is featured on imgur and only includes a simple frames built around a firepit with swings hanging around it. Its a very casual and fun idea to which you can add a roof or additional features that would make your own fire pit gazebo better suited for you and your garden.
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Find The Number Of Treads
- Simply subtract one from the number of risers.
- There’s always one fewer tread than risers, as you can see in Fig. B.
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