(j en.tM NlIIhi1g bl ......I . ..... MINNEAPOLIS. MINNESOTA ww\v.creativepub.com Home Improvement Group .,.. ........ Publisher. Bryan Trandem 0MII0IB '" ' • 'j. Managing Editor. Tracy Stanley Senior Editor.' Mark Johanson Copyright © 2009 Editor.' Jennifer Gehlhar Creative Publishing international, Inc. 400 First Avenue North, Suite 300 Creative Director.' Michele Lanci-Altomare Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 Senior Design Managers: Jon Simpson, Brad Springer 1-800-328-0590 Design Managers: James Kegley www.creativepub.com All rights reserved Lead Photographer. Steve Galvin Photo Coordinator: Joanne Wawra Printed in China Shop Manager.' Bryan McLain 10987654321 Shop Assistant: Cesar Fernandez Rodriguez PresidenUCEO: Ken Fund Production Managers: Linda Halls, Laura Hokkanen VP for Sales & Marketing: Kevin Hamric Digital edition: 978-1-61673-710-5 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-publication Data NOTICE TO READERS For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when following The complete guide to decks. -- updated 4th ed. the procedures described in this book. The publisher and Black & p cm. Decker cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or At head of title: Black & Decker. injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided. "Includes the newest products & fasteners; add an outdoor kitchen." The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for Includes bibliographical references and index. various applications. In some instances, additional techniques not Summary: "Teaches the process of designing, building and main shown in this book may be required. Always follow manufacturers' taining a deck. Includes the latest contemporary options, such as instructions included with products, since deviating from the how to work with eco-friendly wood and reclaimed plastic"--Provided directions may void warranties. The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required: some may not be appropriate for by publisher. all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help. ISBN-13: 978-1-58923-412-3 (soft cover) Consult your local building department for information on ISBN-10: 1-58923-412-X (soft cover) building permits, codes, and other laws as they apply to your project 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. The Complete Guide to Decks TH4970.C6452009 Created by: The Editors of Creative Publishing international, Inc., in 690' .893--dc22 cooperation with Black & Decker. Black & Decker® is a trademark of 2008039012 The Black & Decker Corporation and is used under license. Contents The Complete Guide to Decks Introduction . .... . . . ...... 5 Gallery of Inspiring Decks . .. 7 Deck Planning & Design ... 15 Evaluating Your Site , , ' , ' . , , . , , . , , ' 16 Deck Construction Codes .. , , ' ... , , 18 Determining Lumber Size, .. , . , , .. , , 22 Understanding Loads, , , , .. . , , , .. , , 24 Developing Your Deck Plan . , , , , .. , , 26 Digging & Pouring Footings , , , , . , , , , 52 Framing Decks on Steep Slopes , , , , . 80 Working with Building Inspectors .. , , 30 Installing Posts, , . , . , . , .. , , . , .. , , , 56 Working with Angles , . , , , . , .. , , , , . 86 HOW TO BUILD A DECK ... . 32 Installing Beams, . , . , . ' .. , , . ' .. , , , 62 Creating Curves, , . , , .. ' , . , .. ' , , , . 94 Structural Support . .... . . . 37 Hanging Joists ". ,' , , , . , , , . , . , , , , 66 Framing for Insets. , , . , , , . , . , , , , , 100 Installing a Ledger , . , , , , ... , , ... , , 38 Framing Low-profile Decks , , , , .. , , , 72 Decking . ... . . . ....... . 103 Locating Post Footings, , ' .. , ' , , .. , ' 46 Framing MUlti-level Decks, , , ... . , , , 74 Decking Patterns ' , , ... ' .. ... . ' , , 104 Flashing ... ..... .. ...... ... . ... 200 Footing Forms . ..... . ..... . ..... 201 Specialty Tools ..... .... .. ... . ... 202 CUSTOM DECK PROJECTS . 204 A Deck for Entertaining .... ....... 206 A Deck for Livability .. . ..... . ..... 214 A Deck with Power ....... ... . ... 218 Hot Tub Deck .. ..... . ..... . ..... 226 Underdeck Enclosure .. .. ... .. .... 232 Ground Level Walkout Deck .. . ..... 242 Laying Decking . ... . ... .. . ... .. .. 106 Cleaning, Sealing & Coloring a Deck ... 172 Second-story Walkout Deck .. . ..... 250 Stairs . ....... . ... . ... . 119 Finishing a New Wood Deck ... . ... 174 Inside Corner Deck . .. .. . .. ....... 258 Building Stairs ......... . ..... . .. 120 Maintaining a Deck ... ... ... ..... 176 Island Deck . ... .. . .. . .. ... . ..... 266 Building Stairways with Landings .. . 128 Repairing a Deck .......... ...... 178 Wraparound Deck . .. .. . .. ....... 274 Cleaning Vinyl & Composite Angled Deck ... .. .. .... .. ... .... 282 Deck Railings . ......... . 139 Decking ... ... .. . ..... . ..... . ... 182 Platform Deck ... .. ...... ... . ... 292 Deck Railing Basics . .... .. ... ... . 140 Deck Materials & Tools . .. 185 MUlti-level Deck .. ... . ..... . ..... 296 Curved railings . ... . .... .. ... ... . 156 Composite Railing Systems . ... ... . 162 Footings & Structural Lumber .. . ... 186 Casual Curve Deck . ..... .. ... . ... 306 Wood Decking .. . ... . ... ... .. ... 188 Glass-panel Railings . .... .. ... ... . 164 Deck-building Glossary . . . 312 Composite Decking . ... .... . .. ... 190 Steel Cable Railings . .... .. ... ... . 166 Reference Charts . ...... . 314 Fasteners & Hardware .. . ..... . ... 192 Copper Tube Railings .... .. .... .. . 168 Resources Metal Connecting Hardware ... . ... 194 & Photo Credits . . ...... . 315 Finishing & Maintaining Your Deck ... . . . . . . . ... . 171 Screws & Nails ... .... ... ... .. ... 198 Index . ............... . 316 I Introduction 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 Declzs offers everything you'll need to design and build your dream deck correctly and safely-the 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. You'll learn how to evaluate your deck site options, interpret important building codes, draft plans, and get a quick tutorial of deck-building basics. Next, you'll 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, we'll 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, we'll 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 it-safely, quickly, and economically. We're confident you'll see why The Complete Guide to Declzs continues to be the premiere deck-building manual for do-it-yourselfers and pros alike. • 5 I Gallery of Inspiring Decks L ike any major home improvement project, a deck should be designed to suit your family's lifestyle while it improves the value and beauty of your home. Realistically, you should build your deck with a budget in mind. But, a budget doesn't have to sguelch your freedom to dream about that ideal new outdoor space. As you begin to plan your project, let your imagination inspire its design. A deck doesn't have to be boring, even if you are a novice do-it-yourselfer or are working with limited finances. A curved metal railing, some attractive lighting or just decking laid in an eye-catching geometric pattern can transform what might otherwise look like a boat dock on stilts into a compelling feature of your yard and neighborhood. The following gallery of stunning decks is intended to help you explore the possibilities of what your deck could be. Granted, the bigger the deck the more it will cost, but even a small deck that doesn't suit your needs is an expensive investment in the end if you never use it. So, whatever your budget may be, let these images serve as a way to gather ideas. Who knows ... one small aspect of an elegant design could be just the key to unlocking the perfect deck plan for your home. Now is your chance to let any and all ideas be fair game. • 7 Decks aren't limited to flat property lots. A carefully designed multi-level deck can traverse even steep slopes, turning them into usefu I outdoor Ii vi ng spaces. When designing your new deck, dare to think outside Be creative when designing your new deck. A small the usual "box." Here, custom railings, a curved platform and water feature like this one, situated in the middle of the deck, two-tone color scheme dramatically improve what would will definitely get noticed! otherwise be a conventional, single-level deck. 8 • THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO DECKS