41
votes
Should I make my two steps have the same rise or keep one closer to a typical height?
Steps should always have uniform rise. In fact, codes require it (to within 3/8" maximum total variance per IIRC). Our brains expect that the step following the first will be about the same, and ...
- 144k
27
votes
Should I make my two steps have the same rise or keep one closer to a typical height?
Make every single rise absolutely identical, period.
Video of people consistently tripping on NYC subway stairs which have a single non-uniform risen step
I would test to see if 2 x 5.25 inch rises ...
- 16.8k
27
votes
Accepted
Is this deck post getting cracks due to it being overloaded?
Not concerning. Appears to be limited to a small section near the center (pith) of the tree that is exposed on this face of the post as cut. A side effect of the tendency to try to get the most post ...
- 223k
25
votes
How should I deal with curves in new deck boards during installation?
Put them down, wedge them over with a pry bar, and screw them in.
Decks don't need gap tolerances like Japanese automobile panel fits.
- 2,698
20
votes
Accepted
Can you identify the source of these grooves/notches on the edge of the deck?
Squirrels.
I have a number of homemade plant pots made of synthetic decking scraps, and squirrels often gnaw at them and my plastic plant pots out of curiosity or hunger. Once they know it's not tasty ...
- 144k
19
votes
How to straighten a twisted 2x6 deck board
Very little pressure treated lumber is straight, most of it is twisted, crooked, cupped, bowed, etc. If you have just one bad board you got much better wood than most.
Just start at one end and try ...
- 25.2k
19
votes
Why are deck joists supposed to be on top of posts, not bolted to the side?
For a steel bolt in steel beams there is no differential thermal expansion (the beam and bolt expand and shrink the same with temperature changes) and no hygroscopic swelling and shrinking, since ...
- 223k
19
votes
How should I deal with curves in new deck boards during installation?
2mm (~1/8") isn't a bend in the carpentry world. I'll be surprised if you find any that aren't curved at least that much just due to milling (manufacturing) tolerances. It's your job as the ...
- 144k
17
votes
Accepted
Is this hinged collapsible clothesline design stable enough?
Suggested construction:
This spreads the torsional load over the entire banister railing instead of stressing only the cap or top rail.
If there's any bending at the hinge, or other distortion, it ...
- 14.8k
17
votes
Accepted
Why would porch paint say "do not prime horizontal surfaces"?
Porch and floor paints are formulated to work well on floors and are self priming. Very few primers are rated for floor use, so what you would have is a "bad" primer layer followed by ...
- 28.2k
16
votes
Accepted
How to build a concrete form tube?
There's really nothing magic about tube forms. They're just a receptacle to shape the concrete until it sets. Anything with enough strength and moisture tolerance will do the job. Get creative!
A few ...
- 144k
14
votes
Does wiring under a waterproof deck need conduit?
If this is outside in any fashion, it's considered a wet zone, even if the area is totally dry. A deck with Trex is no different from a standard wood deck in that regard.
Generally speaking, conduit ...
- 25.7k
13
votes
Accepted
Can I support 6x6" deck posts on 10" diameter poured concrete footings?
Summary - the post size seems questionable. Even at 12", it might have been insufficient. It depends very much on your soil type.
The remainder of this answer is a huge estimate based on lots of ...
- 5,625
13
votes
How to efficiently use my decking boards (and look nice)?
Subject to adjustment (waste happens) based on where your joists land.
full board
0.6m + 2.4m
1.2m + 1.8m
1.8m + 1.2m
2.4m + 0.6m
full board
Repeat until done.
So, rather than pile all the scraps on ...
- 223k
12
votes
Accepted
How to install deck railing top board slanted
You'd just slope the 4x4 posts, set the top rails on them, and fit your 2x4 rails underneath. A slight wedge gap would be present, but that's not going to look terrible.
I'd reconsider for a few ...
- 144k
12
votes
How should I handle a deck beam member that's slightly shorter than the others?
I don't like any of the A-C options presented here, the beam is a very important structural component and incorrect beam installations can compromise the entire deck. Shims, shortcuts and hoping for ...
- 4,828
12
votes
Does wiring under a waterproof deck need conduit?
Wire is not allowed without conduit. All exterior conduit is defined as wet. All wire in exterior conduit must be wet-rated. It usually is wet, from condensate if nothing else. A "waterproof deck&...
- 223k
12
votes
Does wiring under a waterproof deck need conduit?
Be more concerned about rodents nibbling. They love the shelter of decking, and even if not living there, will visit for the odd meal - of plastic. Conduit will supply the necessary protection from ...
- 5,326
12
votes
Bugs getting into screen deck through metal roofing gaps
The roof manufacturers have a foam seal "closure strip" that's shaped to exactly fit the corrugated gap, which should have been used:
It's possible, but a bit of a pain to retrofit that ...
- 223k
11
votes
Will these DIY steel plates for post to beam connections work as well as the commercially available ones?
What makes the commercial product better than just purchasing steel plates and bolts?
The commercial product doesn't rely on the screws in wood to connect the two sides. A sideways force would be ...
- 759
11
votes
How to build a concrete form tube?
Form tubes are mostly a convenience. They make the concrete look nice, make it easier to accurately calculate the quantity of concrete that must be ordered, and reduce the over-use of concrete which ...
- 32.1k
10
votes
Accepted
Recommended footings for deck built on rock with 5-10% grade?
1" of organic matter on rock? remove all the organic matter from the locations where the footings go, pour concrete footings or piers on the rock surface directly. Might be a good idea to drill ...
- 223k
10
votes
Accepted
Can I repair these deck support posts, or do I need to replace them?
Those posts definitely need replacement. There is too much structure above to risk damage or bodily injury should one of these posts start to collapse downward due to the rot at the base.
From looking ...
- 65.7k
9
votes
Will these DIY steel plates for post to beam connections work as well as the commercially available ones?
The most dangerous thing I hear on construction sites is, "Aw, that ain't goin' nowhere." I can't tell you how many things I've seen go wrong because someone did some eyeball engineering ...
- 25.2k
9
votes
Is this deck post getting cracks due to it being overloaded?
This is normal for wood that is exposed to the elements. The wood is constantly absorbing and releasing water. Over time, this will destroy pressure treated wood.
The pictures aren't concerning for ...
- 25.7k
9
votes
How should I deal with curves in new deck boards during installation?
Get a board bender. You tack one end of the board down and the move down the board bending it into place with the tool and tacking it at each joist.
- 191
8
votes
Accepted
Porch construction: orientation of flooring boards (perpendicular or parallel to siding)
That's a "breadboard end", and it's simply a design element.
There is no requirement for it that I'm aware of. If you do an internet search for deck images, you'll see a wide variety of ...
- 47.9k
8
votes
Should the underside of a deck be stained?
This question is somewhat opinion based, but I'm going to answer anyway. If it's just a stain or oil, rather than a more solid surface/coating finish like Varathane, you're probably OK to just stain ...
- 23.2k
8
votes
Accepted
45 degree beveled deck board ends butt joint at same joist
I've done it myself with both wood and synthetics and seen it on many other decks. I don't think there's anything wrong with a slanted lap. Protruding edges are no more likely or severe than they ...
- 144k
8
votes
Why are deck joists supposed to be on top of posts, not bolted to the side?
This is an engineering thing, and I don't pretend to totally understand it. But there are plenty of instances, beyond just decks, where how things are connected/positioned can make a huge difference.
...
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