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I plan to build a 12x12' deck (no railing) with a covered shingle roof to match the house. Since I'd already learned a lot of what NOT to do on home projects hoping someone out there has a tip on building decks they had to learn the hard way.
If you built your deck again what would you have done different?
Also, I am thinking of using that new material...it's the look of wood but it's like plastic, comes in colors...just for the floor, so it's be low maintenance (no more staining) but maybe this is a bad idea?
I built a deck the same size and used Trex composite deck boards. I like the Trex, price was good too. I'm not an expert, just another DIYer...lol. So YMMV. I'll add a link below to more pics of the deck.
Let see..things I would have done differently.
1. I'd pay more attention to the way the framing PT would cup when drying. When I doubled up the perimeter boards on the frame, some of them cupped outward.
2. If your planning to tuck the last board under the siding, make sure you account for the decking thickness when you cut the siding for the ledger board. I forgot and had to recut after mounting the ledger board, PITA.
3. This is just an FYI...don't use aluminum flashing on ACQ PT wood. It reacts with aluminum and corrodes it. Same for fasteners, must be approved for use with ACQ PT. There is copper and vinyl flashing available.
4. If you are planning to have decking overhang the edges, remember to undersize the the frame to allow for the decking to overhang. If you don't plan an overhang on the edges, you still may want to undersize the frame width a couple inches so you can trim the edges ( I'm assuming you will be buying 12' decking to put on the 12' deck ). Not all the decking is exactly the same length and some of the ends can be lousy.
5. Make sure your frame is perfectly square before putting down the decking. Keep checking as you lay down boards, its a lot easier compensate a little here and there than to get to the last board and find it is going of at an angle.
6. When you buy your decking usually they give you a gap spacer, ask for an extra one. It was easier to use two of them. I started at one end and spead the spacers a couple feet apart. Pushed the decking into shape and screwed it down. Then continued down the board a couple joists at a time. The composite material bends easily and wasn't straight. It sometimes required a little effort to straighten it out.
7. Oh yeah...don't do the decking on a 98 degree day like I did..LOL. Composite decking can get really hot.
Thanks for posting your site!!! Very helpful. I have not been able to talk to someone with building a deck experience before you. It helps to have your tips!!! I was thinking of building one in the fall. I have some other projects to finish up...and being a new house with no landscape I have been trying to do the cheaper projects first.
I want a covered deck (shingles to match the house), 12 x 12' like I said, and at the bottom to cover the ugliness of the supports I'd use vinyl lattice (my deck doesn't need to be as hgh as yours so I won't need much)...I am thinking I'll need a buget of 4 grand. Does this seem about right? Oh, and I won't have sides. I want 4 square columns (2 at the head of the front by the stair going into yard and 2 at the half mark on the sides, for supports mostly.
I guess for the support posts I just use pressure treated wood...love that you concreted these in...that's what my husband wants to do.
I heard it comes in multiple colors, but how long it will retain this baked in color is unsure...we used this material (the plain gray) for raised vegetable beds. Working great!!! Don't want rot or termites.
I'm an old beleiver in cedar for decks. It will last forever & look good for a long time. Only needs a sealer, no stain.
One thing that is really cool are the under mounting deck board fasteners. They screw onto the joists, then you screw into the bottom of the boards. Nothing shows on top. Adds many $ to the value of the deck. Most good lumber companies carry them.
Bernie
I like the Trex also,I did my last one with cedar and it was high maintenance for me,spring and fall,they do make sealers that will last longer,but the price was out of my range.
Great advice DJ,and your deck is a beauty!
I liked to screw the Trex down sending the screw just deep enough to push a little material up,then tap it with a hammer and the screws will not show.
As far a fading,it is minimal,sun will fade it over time,so consider going a little darker then your final choice.
Be sure to get those before pictures for us!
Root.
