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Building A Single
Building A Single
Building A Single
SKILL SCALE
Hard
TIME REQUIRED
Building a Single-Level Raised deck
should take about 88-101 hours.
Decks are a perfect area for outdoor entertaining and outdoor relaxing. The style
of deck you choose to build determines how you use your deck, as well as how
you build it. Although similar in appearance, different decks can require different
construction techniques.
Out Installation Services Associates built this Single-Level Raised deck and
documented the steps taken in order to help you build your own outdoor living
area.
Batterboards and mason's string lines are used here to lay out footing locations
for a deck that is 24 feet long and 14 feet wide. A 2x12 ledger board was first
attached to the house to establish the deck position. The deck structure,
including number of footings, is designed to be enclosed as a four-season porch
in the near future.
Approximate time for a novice (with a helper) to lay out footing locations for this
deck: 12-14 hours. Time includes removing siding and attaching the ledger.
6x6 posts were plumbed and temporarily braced in place. Post tops were
trimmed to the proper height after posts were positioned. Trimming lines level
with the bottom of the ledger were established using a water level. The beam
supported by the posts will have joists attached to its inner face.
14-foot-long 2x12 joists were installed. The large size of the framing on this deck
accommodates the future remodeling. Joist hangers attach joists to the ledger
and beam header joist. Blocking pieces were fastened between joists in the
middle of the span to prevent twisting of the joists. Most of the temporary bracing
was removed after joists were installed.
5/4x6 decking was attached perpendicular to the joists and fastened with deck
screws. No additional blocking was necessary because seams between boards
were centered over joists. The seams were staggered between adjacent rows of
decking for best appearance.
Footings for stair landings and pad were located after the main deck platform
was built. Locating stair footings is more accurate when done relative to an
existing deck structure. One 12-inch-diameter footing was made for a 6x6 post
that will support the upper landing. Four 8-inch-diameter footings were made for
4x4 posts that will support a small transition landing in the stair run. The stair run
makes a 90-degree turn at the landing to end on the 4x4-foot pad. The pad is 4
inches thick. Thirty-two 60-pound bags of concrete were mixed in a portable
power mixer.
Approximate time (including making a form for the pad): 6-7 hours.
Post anchors were attached to the footings. Posts were plumbed and the
framing for the landings installed. Decking was attached to the joists. Note: The
landing could be replaced by another deck level on a multilevel deck if desired.
Calculations for the stair runs were checked and the stringers for the stairs were
made. The upper and lower stair runs were built in place.