Questions tagged [deck]
For questions generally relating to outdoor, semi-elevated, non-enclosed structures such as decks, gazebos, pergolas, etc.
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How to efficiently use my decking boards (and look nice)?
I am planning on building a deck with composite boards.
The plan is to have a 3x2m platform, however the decking boards I like come in lengths of 3.6m only.
I am wondering how I can best use boards to ...
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I have a deck design from Menards, but I need to change a footing location? [closed]
I have a deck design from Menards, but I need to change a footing location, am I ok to move it back 18"? The design has it 1' 7" from the outside edge, and I need to move the footing in due ...
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Designing to Add Roof over Deck in future
I have built up this sketch on the simpson strongtie deck designer.
I would like to build this deck now, but have the option in the future to cover the main deck area and create a gabled roof/...
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Ledger board too low
This has been asked before but without a detailed answer. I want to install a ledger board on the foundation, not the brick.
Can I run joists off the ledger board like normal, then in the opposite ...
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How can I reduce the effects of dilatation of wood on a steel deck?
I am planning to build an outdoor deck at my house. The dimensions will be 3x9 m. The base of the deck will be short concrete columns and on them I'd like to place a frame made of steel bars. The top ...
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How many posts do I need for flat ground level deck
I want to build a flat ground level deck approx 25x26ft. I have very limited space between the ground and the door, so it needs to be streamlined.
I plan to use 3 26’ 2x10 as primary frame supports ...
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Deck frame is 1/2" out of square, worth fixing it?
When I was building my deck frame, I naively assumed both 2x8x8 had the same length. It turned out that one of them was 1/2" longer. Now the frame has the measurements as shown. Is it worth ...
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Rooftop deck repair questions
I'm in the process of restaining rooftop deck. I first washed it with a deck cleaner product. I'm now in the process of sanding. I was hoping to ask a few questions:
I noticed a few areas where ...
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How should I fasten lowered stair stringers to my deck landing?
I have a small landing and set of stairs that need to be built in a fairly small space up to our garage pad.
I have a limited area to work with so the landing serves as the first step down in order to ...
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How to correctly paint deck?
Live in Michigan. Have a large deck needed to be re-painted black. Last year I painted it and it is already peeling everywhere. Starting from step 1- prep- to last step - sealing - how do I do this ...
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Notching Deck Posts That Support Roof [closed]
I am in the planning stage of my porch build. It will be a gable covered deck. I would like to use the front corner posts to support the deck and roof. This method will obviously force me to build a ...
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Cement vs pressure treated lumber porch [closed]
I'm looking to build an enclosed porch between two doors on the side of my house, and I've had contractors opt to either use a 12" concrete slab, or concrete/helical piles with pressure treated ...
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Can I support a stair landing with a cantilevered underhung beam?
I am trying to relocate the stairs on an existing deck. The problem is that there is a concrete slab under the deck so I can't just easily cut a hole through it to put in footers to support the stair ...
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Deck suggestions for easier cleaning/Leaf removal
I'm building a new deck to replace my current one, and I wanted to avoid a huge annoyance I have with my current deck. My current deck is split level (assume in the image below, the right half is 6-8&...
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Maximum Span of Deck Joists [closed]
According to the following, a deck using 2x10" joists, spaced 12" apart, can have a span (distance from attachment to house to row of footings) of 16'.
https://www.decks.com/how-to/articles/...
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Roof deck repair
I have a "roof deck" above my condo. It's a flat surface that doubles as the roof of the living area below.
I noticed an approximately 2-inch diameter bubble had formed on the surface and ...
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Should I let 2x4 pressure treated sleepers for composite deck warp/weather/dry before install
I am going to install composite decking on pressure treated 2x4 sleepers. The composite decking is attached via clips that slide in a groove of the composite decking. The clips only screw into the ...
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Extending a basic rectangle deck out 4’
We have a basic porch deck that is a rectangle with stairs at the front of it. We want to extend the deck out 4’. We’re only adding on to the area to the right of the steps, so we’d be building an ...
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Adding a pergola to existing deck, post anchors?
I have an aging cedar deck I'd like to add a small pergola to for use this summer, maybe next, before I replace the deck with something new (probably composite Trex).
I think I have a simple design I ...
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How to cut last composite deck board against house/solid objects after tracksaw cut
I've seen several (youtube) professional deck builders uses a track saw to make a nice cut line for breaker boards and edge picture frame boards. I got a cheap track saw hoping to do the same for ...
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Replacing a 4x8 deck beam
I am replacing a wooden deck with wrought iron posts and railings. The current beams are 4x8x8, but the wrought iron rails are welded in too close to the beam top for me to remove the beams without ...
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Covered deck roof beam support at house
I am adding a covered deck and attaching to my house. I want to attach it like the project about which funtastic asked this forum May 20 '14 at 6:47 and was given a response to his question by ...
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Connecting a load bearing post to deck fascia?
I have a roof over my deck. The posts that support the roof are attached to the deck via simpson timber screws (as seen in the photo below). Is there a better method or bracket I could utilize to beef ...
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Do I have to meet current code when replacing deck railing posts?
I replaced the pressure-treated lumber on my 1990 built deck and it matched what was there. The 4x4 rail post spacing width is 7 feet apart. I noticed recently that rail post spacing ...
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How to raise/move/adjust this service wire for a pavilion roof build?
I am planning on building a fixed roof up from this pergola. However, a complication first: the power utility's service wire is too close. The service wire is currently around 18 inches above the ...
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What kind of fastener is this and how do I remove it?
(See images.) I'm trying to temporarily remove this plank of the deck to access the space beneath. The plank is being held in place by a type of fastener I'm not familiar with. Do you know what ...
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Is a hole this big fixable on deck board?
I want to fix my deck board it look like this (the hole is like one inch). I have researched and caulk and fillers don’t look like they can fill this giant hole.
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Why would porch paint say "do not prime horizontal surfaces"?
A can of floor and porch paint says "do not prime horizontal surfaces".
The obvious question is, how are horizontal surfaces different from vertical surfaces?
But my real question is, what ...
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Flashing from recessed exterior door on concrete?
Old house, with poorly installed exterior door on top of renovated old garage which leads to deck. I'm installing a waterproofing system, and I could probably flash in almost every place but not sure ...
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How much can I plane/cut off of a deck joist / rim joist
I'm renovating a deck. Installing waterproof spline which goes between deck boards. Solution will have center boards in deck with gutters underneath and gutters around the deck. Install guide says to ...
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Post protector (or something else) to extend life of existing deck 4x4 posts?
I'm resurfacing a deck. It was built 19-20 years ago. Had an inspection and was recommended to replace 4x4 direct-bury posts with 6x6 with concrete piers/footings. This work isn't as simple as ...
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Can this roof flashing membrane be glued back down?
New house, roof deck. Membrane (I think it's flashing) pulling away from the wall underneath the siding. I'm not certain what type of membrane it is, but it feels rubbery. Can I just glue it back down,...
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How to replace the heavily notched 4x4 support posts on my deck?
Does anyone have a code compliant idea to replace the support posts I have on my deck? The deck is basically supported by a heavily notched 4x4 that only supports a single 2x6 board that's part of the ...
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How to treat wood to use in a deck
I'd like to build a small (6'x8') floating deck for my yard. The deck would be resting on gravel. Ideally I'd like to use pressure treated wood, but a few of the pieces will need cuts, and my local ...
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How much life left on 4x4 posts on my deck (in particular one that butts against the foundation)?
I have a raised deck (no idea how old; maybe 10-15 years). It is supported by 4x4 posts. I couldn't find any concrete footings by digging (maybe I didn't go deep enough). Much of the posts are ...
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Can I build tool storage cabinets off of bottom of deck joists?
I have room, and would like to make, some storage for tools in an area under my deck using 3/4 in plywood. I could cement in 4x4 or something in the ground and build off of that but behind a ...
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Best way to flash pvc deck frieze board to brick/concrete
I'm resurfacing a deck and installing a waterproofing spline between the deckboards called Dexerdry. The first board sits in routed 5/4 x 4 PVC which is fastened to the exterior of the house. A few ...
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Can I stack two 6x6 timbers for a deck beam?
I am replacing this 20' long 3.5" x 9" wood beam due to termites. See pic.
I'm also replacing the 3 existing 4x4 posts with (3) pressure treated 6x6 posts.
Question is, can I swap out the ...
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Joist / Jack Hanger for Custom Angles on an Octagon
I am building a deck in the shape of a donut octagon and have some joists meet at odd angles (67.5 deg / 112.5 deg).
I have found adjustable joist hangers (ex Simpson Strong Tie LSSJ ) but they only ...
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Patio Deck Piers Construction
I have some piers under my patio deck. What kind of pier is it?
Are there concrete footings underneath these green poles? I am remaking my deck, and would like to add some more of these. I can't see ...
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Raised Deck for Enclosed Sunroom
I framed a 14' x 16' deck on piers between 3-4' from grade as the base for an enclosed, heated Sunroom. I applied 4X8 sheets of 1/2" PT to the underside. Then I used 1 1/2" Styrofoam ...
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Outdoor low-voltage transformer off of sconce? Possible?
I have a raised deck with walkway underneath. I'm in the process of resurfacing it and I'd like the switch to the sconces above and below the deck (different switches) to also light the deck (above ...
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How much can the topmost segment of a stair stringer be reduced without compromising strength?
Let me try this a different way.
My question is about the 2x12 stringer and if there are certain dimensions I need to keep in mind to not undermine the structural integrity of the wood.
Using the ...
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Suggestion on deck frame joinery
I am planning to build a deck to my backyard, and I'm using a soft wood - I guess it's spruce not sure / not a very high quality wood.
I am having hard time to decide on choosing the construction ...
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Resurfacing a raised deck; want waterproofing (dexerdry); need gutters? Also: comment on plan?
Thanks for reading. I'm starting the planning stage of a raised deck (without space underneath) overhaul/resurfacing. I have one concrete question regarding waterproofing but would also appreciate ...
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What's the easiest way to make this elevated outdoor platform "safe enough" for hunting
Long story short I bought a house with an existing home made tree stand. I understand these aren't routinely recommended for hunting but I really don't care that much. It's in a good spot and would ...
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Existing joists span max 17.5in OC - Trex composite says max 16" allowed
Does anyone have experience with pushing the limits of joist span for composite decking? My joists are generally 16" OC but a few gaps are up to 17.5" max (one has a short section at 18"...
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Seeking suggestions for working around a crawl space vent when building a deck
Our home is a 1950s split level in IL. Our split level deck's step is shorter than code, everyone trips on it, and the homeowner is legally blind. We need to level the deck for safety.
Raising the ...
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Transitioning box and electrical wire
I am planning to install some convenience receptacles in the deck area. I will use a PVC conduit, and it will run at the bottom/side of the joist and beams. I am not sure if I will use THHN or Romex ...
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Outdoor LED strip enclosure that aims light towards the floor?
Most LED strip enclosures (e.g. for mounting under stair risers or cabinets) direct the light in the opposite direction from the mounting surface. But I'm looking to direct light towards the surface ...
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