A deck is a great place to entertain and relax. It’s a timeless addition that will never go out of style, and it’ll feel even more satisfying knowing you put in the hard work yourself to build it.
Before you get started on your project, consider these tips to make sure the process of building your deck goes smoothly.
GET PERMITS AND FOLLOW LOCAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
Your project can only run smoothly if you first do some research to find out if you need a permit to build a deck. Sometimes permits are required if the deck will be larger than a certain size or if it will be a certain height. This will depend on regulations in your neighborhood, town, and county. Check with your local zoning board.
KNOW YOUR BUDGET
Know the budget you’re working with for your deck. Nothing makes a project go less smoothly than realizing you have to spend much more money than you anticipated.
The average cost to add on a wood deck in Indiana and surrounding states is $17,111. That cost increases for a composite deck, according to Remodeling Magazine. Have realistic expectations for what you’re going to spend on this project.
STAY SAFE
For your deck-building project to go well, you also need to know what safety precautions to take while building.
Review safety guidelines about the tools you’ll be using. If you’ll be building outside in warm weather, stay safe when working in the heat by doing things like staying hydrated and taking breaks in the air conditioning.
It’s also important that your deck itself is a safe, sturdy structure. Research safety requirements about decks to know what height your railings should be. Knowing this is absolutely critical to a smooth building process.
DO RESEARCH ON DECK MATERIALS
Any good project begins with having a basic understanding of the materials you’ll be working with. Common materials used to build decks are treated lumber, natural wood, and composite.
Treated lumber is covered in a chemical treatment. It makes your deck appear authentic while being resistant to rotting and pests. Treated lumber needs to be power washed once a year and stained or preserved every two or three years.
Cedar is one of the most popular choices for a natural wood deck. Natural wood requires regular stripping, sanding, and staining.
Composite decking is made up of wood fiber and plastic. It’s strong, weather-resistant, and can never rot. Since it isn’t actually wood, it won’t need to be stained or sanded. Take this information about different materials into consideration so you can make the right decision for your needs and budget.
GATHER YOUR MATERIALS AND TOOLS
Nothing throws off the progress of a building project quite like realizing you forgot to get the materials or tools you need.
Some tools you’ll need include your wood or composite materials for the surface of your deck, a circular saw, a tape measure, a carpenter’s level, a power drill, the correct hardware, a shovel, excavation tools, wrenches, fastening tools, and a nail gun.
HAVE A SOLID FOUNDATION
The key to a sturdy deck is a solid foundation of even ground. If the deck will be attached to your house, footings are necessary to bear the load of the deck.
Deck foundations can include poured concrete footings, buried post footings, precast cement footings, deck blocks, and screw/helical piles. A deck with a low platform may not need footings but still needs to be built on even land.
Most footings should be at least 24-inches deep. As always, before digging, call 811. It’s the law in Indiana. Contact your utility company to be sure you know what’s below before you dig.
GET STARTED ON YOUR DECK
As you prepare for your deck project to go off without a hitch, be sure you also know how to keep the finished product in the best condition possible. Refer to the research you did about decking materials to understand what kind of maintenance your deck needs.
When you’re ready to get your lumber and tools, our friendly experts at Miller’s Building Supply will be here to help! When you purchase our quality products and experience our great customer service, you’ll see why so many builders and remodelers come to Miller’s.
Check out our products online or visit us at 1819 E. Monroe St. in Goshen.