Finishing the Deck - Basic Construction - Part 4
| Stairs:Most deck require some stairs. They can be simple or complex as shown here. We cover how to make stairs in a previous article, but will show you here about the handrail. Handrails are usually required when you reach more than 3 risers…the simple stairs to the right have 3 risers, and the ones below have 5. |  |
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Handrail construction is identical to rail construction except you cut the T posts at an angle on top to receive the top rail. Check your local building codes for handrail height requirements. | |
| Want to get fancy ? | ||
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Stairs & Railings - Basic Construction - Part 3
| Railings:Our project deck uses a picket railing with unique and easy to build railing supports. We also have projects showing fancy railing patterns such as Sunburst and Chippendale . Click on them to see if you would like a fancier look for your deck. | ||
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Step 8 - Our railing system is easy to build, low cost and stronger than the 4×4 posts frequently used. The upright posts are made entirely of 2×4’s that are fastened together to form a “T” as shown. The length of board “A” is 36″. The length of board “B” is 42″ ( 44″ for 2×10 joists) Fasten together as shown…flush on one end. Cut bevel in end as shown in photo below at location “D”. Install upright posts as needed by the deck design. Try not to exceed 7 feet between upright posts. Determine each post location and cut out the 1″ overhang on the edge of the deck. (location “E”) Cutout will be 3 1/2″ wide. Install each post by making it plumb and nailing it to the joist. Drill a 3/8″ hole in the face of the upright in the middle of the joist at location “C”. Install 3/8″ x 4″ bolt and tighten. | |
| Angle posts are shown in photo below. The 3 boards are assembled in place unlike the T posts which are preassembled.For added strength install 2 1/2″ screw from under the deck, into the upright at location “F”.
Angle corner posts |
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Step 9 - Measure and install horizontal 2×4 railing supports (”G”) between each set of upright posts. Nail or screw into back of upright T post as shown. Top board is flush with top of post, bottom board is 4″ up from deck surface.
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Step 10 - Install top rail. This is 5/4×6″ decking board. Make miter cuts at angles as shown. Step 11 - Cut pickets 32″ long and bevel one end as shown. (You will get 3 pickets out of each 2×2x8′). cut and install a 2×2 horizontally (location “J” in photo below) directly below the top rail on the outside of the railing.
Space the pickets 3 1/2″ apart using a 2×4 as shown. Location “K” in photo above. |
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Angle corner post with top rail installed |
Angle rail assembly completed |
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Installing Decking - Basic Construction - Part 2
| Step 6 - Now that we have the main girder in place and supported by all it’s vertical columns, its time to install the joists, followed by the decking boards. | ||
| If you haven’t already measured the 16″ joist spacing on the girder beam, do so now. The measurements should mirror the ledger board joist spacing. Place and nail remaining joists in place, filling all nail holes in joist hangers. If you have a 24″ cantilever on both the girder beam and the joists, the clipped corner will be exactly 45 degrees. This makes cutting the angles easier. Note that at point “A” the diagonal rim joist ends at the girder beam allowing the end deck joist full support on the girder. Nail rim joist to end of all joists as shown at location “B”. |
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Point “A &B” show the rim joist that closes up the end of the joists. |
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| Step 7 - Installing deck boards. We install boards at an angle because you can build a 12 to 14 foot deck with no seams in the decking boards. Deck boards that are butted together end to end tend to splinter when dried out. You have less splinters and cracked boards if you can use full length boards. 16′ decking boards will cover a 12′ deep deck at a 45 degree angle. 16′ decking boards will cover a 14′ deep deck at less than a 45 degree angle, but still acceptable. Determine your angle and cut the end that butts up to the house. | ||
| Note in the pictures that after the boards are fastened down you snap a chalk line leaving a 1 inch overhang and cut off the boards in place. Also note that you simply install full length boards around the clipped corner and cut them off in place as well. See points “A, B & C” Points “B & C” are the 45 degree clipped corner. |
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Next we’ll work on the railing
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Some tips about decking lumber you probably are not aware. This information will help you have a better deck. Many homeowners pick out their lumber at the store…if you do this you might as well follow this guidance concerning your decking boards. Use 5/4 x 6″ decking in place of 2×6 lumber. Choose lumber that has an end grain that looks like this:
This shows the board is from the outside of the tree. Boards that are closer to the center of the tree will warp upwards when the sun dries them out. Install your decking boards with a “Frown” (as shown)…not with a “Smile”. The natural desire of this board to cup downward will be counteracted by the drying effects of the sun on the opposite side of the board… thus a straighter deck. Now on to railings… |
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