Decks are not that hard to build for anyone with moderate handyman skills. There is lots of information available regarding how to size the framing and such. Not only is it much cheaper to build it yourself but you will get exactly what you want in the end and also a feeling of deep satisfaction every time you look at it knowing you did it yourself. At least that's how it works for me.
Anybody build their own backyard deck?
- Thread starter Viper98912
- Start date
77Birdman
Well-known member
Yes, not too tough to build one. But, I would get it permitted and check with the inspector for what their code requires. I have had to rebuild a couple that looked ok, but when put under the microscope everything was wrong. The issues come up during the sale of the house and usually ends up biting the seller in the ****. Not that hard to do it correct and legally. Permit shouldnt cost all that much.
Trex (or any name brand composite decking like timbertech) depending on the line you buy will be 3-4 times the cost of regular PT wood.
Staining things different colours will be a nightmare in a few year when you have to re-do the stain, I wouldn't want to have to deal with keeping the colours separated. Even just doing the pattern can dress things up but there's a lot of extra labor and material waste involved in doing it.
Hiring out the posts is worth while but building the frame is simple. If you're not sure about the structure, get it designed for sure, but don't be shy to do the framing yourself.
I would recommend screw piles if your soil supports them. Quick and easy. Put an adjustable top on and your good to go. I do not recommend putting wood below grade regardless of pt type. It rots no matter what it is. If screw piles aren’t plausible then get some piles drilled and fill with cement. Call you local inspector he can guide you on the norm for your area for the posts. Trex is ok in some format but your design has to incorporate the expansion and contraction of the boards to look good imo. If it’s a main entrance or used in the winter I would stay away from trex.
My new house came with a screened wooden porch. However, the screened walls had no balusters or spindles. For safety reasons these were a must. Black pipes vs wood was suggested and we decided that was the best look. However, I found I couldn't really get what I needed. I either got parts that were too short or were too long. Also the aluminum stuff wasn't cheap. But I found a good plan B. Galvanized conduit is cheap and can be cut to length (helped that I had access to a friction saw). So I cut the conduit to length them painted the pipes. It was less than half the price of the aluminum parts.
OP
Viper98912
Well-known member
Great ideas guys, looks I need to do some more research (here on GJ of course! 
) and figure out how to make this deck...
) and figure out how to make this deck...Homerr
Well-known member
Lot's of good videos out there like this one on building a deck:
ishiboo
Well-known member
My current deck is the first I've tried without any poured concrete. All the posts sit on precast cookies over compacted gravel, with the holes filled with gravel. Below the frost line of course. It's only been one season but it's worked out really well so far.
Aaron_W
Well-known member
We are only in the planning stages, but from looking at permit requirements and your planned height, it would be worth checking local requirements before deciding on a height.
I think here 3 foot or higher requires a permit. Reading other posts that general height sounds like a pretty common permit / no permit point.
I only mention that because you are saying maybe 5 feet, if you could work the deck around the windows, maybe leave some light wells, then maybe you could do a lower deck and save yourself some paperwork and money. That might not be a practical option, but you are so close it seems worth looking at.
We have to go about 10 feet in a spot that construction will be noticeable from the street, so there is no getting around the permit process for us.
I think here 3 foot or higher requires a permit. Reading other posts that general height sounds like a pretty common permit / no permit point.
I only mention that because you are saying maybe 5 feet, if you could work the deck around the windows, maybe leave some light wells, then maybe you could do a lower deck and save yourself some paperwork and money. That might not be a practical option, but you are so close it seems worth looking at.
We have to go about 10 feet in a spot that construction will be noticeable from the street, so there is no getting around the permit process for us.
zak77
Well-known member
I've seen the damage a poorly built deck can do so i suggest learning the basics first. Even "pro's" can screw up something so simple as how to attach the ledger to the structure, even when it's spelled out for them. This one house was only about 4 years old and they had to rip off the deck and pay about $15-20K in repair costs because the builder didnt flash it, and after that they had no money to replace the deck so do it right the first time. I'd say the deck itself is the fast/easy part, the hand-rails and stairs are where it will kill you in time and cost. But it also makes the deck, in my opinion.
My buddy built a deck at a beach house using interlocking aluminum planks and 10 years later it still looks like the day it was built, according to him. Not cheap but it should last a long time. The deck at my house is about 28 years old, all PT lumber, doesnt appear it was ever stained or sealed, gets pressure washed once a year and it's starting to show it's age. I could replace just the decking but the frame wasnt built strong enough and the other structural deficiencies doesnt make it a candidate for a rebuild. So i'm think patio instead.
My buddy built a deck at a beach house using interlocking aluminum planks and 10 years later it still looks like the day it was built, according to him. Not cheap but it should last a long time. The deck at my house is about 28 years old, all PT lumber, doesnt appear it was ever stained or sealed, gets pressure washed once a year and it's starting to show it's age. I could replace just the decking but the frame wasnt built strong enough and the other structural deficiencies doesnt make it a candidate for a rebuild. So i'm think patio instead.
strutaeng
Well-known member
Concrete? I have always wondered by people decks only a few inches off the ground out of wood. Why? I can see why building out of wood if it's elevated 4'+ off the ground.
Just build it out of concrete and get rid of the maintenance issues for good! Metal railings and there you have it. I'm a woodworker and like wood and all, but it seems like any kind of wood will always have some maintenance. For the cost of trex or whatever fancy stuff is out there, just build it out of concrete and will be good for 50-100 years. Concrete patio deck.
I must be missing...
ishiboo
Well-known member
Concrete for the footings I meant... nothing to do with the deck construction. We are pouring a concrete patio in front of the deck, but prefer the wood for the raised portion.
dave_dj1
Well-known member
We have to consider frost in these parts so the piers have to be a minimum of 48" below grade.
This should help you :http://www.awc.org/pdf/codes-standards/publications/dca/AWC-DCA62012-DeckGuide-1405.pdf
This should help you :http://www.awc.org/pdf/codes-standards/publications/dca/AWC-DCA62012-DeckGuide-1405.pdf
OP
Viper98912
Well-known member
Regarding permits, the local township says all decks need a permit, but they're cheap to pull. I just don't know yet what kind of detail they're looking for.
I remember looking at a house (to buy) that had a small near-ground-level deck outside, and one of the problems they ran into was no permit for the deck....
I remember looking at a house (to buy) that had a small near-ground-level deck outside, and one of the problems they ran into was no permit for the deck....
As far as materials, the higher the cost the longer it will last. I limit exterior wood to structural components and if they are exposed recommend One Time Wood for a sealer.
For decking, use a synthetic like Trex. Hidden fasteners make it much more attractive. Pay attention to joist spacing. Home owner synthetics usually require 12" OC or less for joists. You can find commercial synthetics that will span wider. I've built four decks and two docks this way. Twelve plus years and zero maintenance on all. If they were constructed of wood you will be repairing, replacing and refinishing constantly, The One Time Wood finish is unfortunately not one time in foot traffic.
Jim
For decking, use a synthetic like Trex. Hidden fasteners make it much more attractive. Pay attention to joist spacing. Home owner synthetics usually require 12" OC or less for joists. You can find commercial synthetics that will span wider. I've built four decks and two docks this way. Twelve plus years and zero maintenance on all. If they were constructed of wood you will be repairing, replacing and refinishing constantly, The One Time Wood finish is unfortunately not one time in foot traffic.
Jim