At this point in your deck build you should have a plan. If not, watch the previous video in this series, Designing a Deck. In this episode Part Two of our six-part series we’ll you How Layout your Deck, so that it has a strong foundation and provides you years of enjoyment.
We came up with our plan using the deck designer program at Lowes.com/DeckDesigner. And make sure to follow the building code for this area. But before you begin your layout make sure you're clear of any utility lines just 811 your local utility company will send some one to mark any lines. And don’t forget after watching these videos if you don’t feel comfortable completing this project call Lowe’s we can install your entire deck for you, now if you do decide to do it your self here are the tools and materials you might need a pencil, tape measure, 3lb. hammer, wood for batter boards, hammer and nails, mason’s string, utility knife, line level, shovel, plumb bob, wood stakes for marking post holes, a drill with bits and screws, a level, work gloves and safety glasses.
There are a few ways to build a deck but for each method most of the components will be the same. You'll have the foundation, the beams, the joists, and the decking. Now were placing our deck next to the house so we have different options for support. We could attach what is called a ledger board to the house. Now this board works with the deck foundation to support the whole structure. To learn more about all ledger board and using in it your layout check out the printable instructions for this video. Now the other option is to build a free standing deck meaning the deck will not be attached to the house at all. Free standing decks needs additional post for support near the house and sometimes extra bracing.
We chose a free standing deck because it provides drainage next to the house. Now we've already removed our stairs and with our plan in hand we can do the layout using just a few simple techniques most importantly string and batter boards. Batter boards can be made from cutting strips. The stakes are pointed and the cross piece is about two feet long. You should place the batter boards beyond the corners of your planned deck. Just tie the strings to the batter boards for now marking the outside edges of your deck plan.
Now, for our deck in this corner of the house were using a single stake because there is no room for a batter board. Now, we’ll drive a nail exactly where the corner of the deck will be about a half an inch from the siding. Then we’ll tie our string to this nail; check that the strings are level. Then measure the diagonals of the layout. You're layout a square when the diagonals are equal. Make any adjustments and attach the strings in their final position with screws.
The building code in this area requires s to remove the sod and use landscape fabric and gravel under the deck. Even if you’re not required to do so it might be a good idea because it prevents grass and weeds from growing through the decking. To mark the holes for the foundation post determine the foundation spacing. This spacing depends on the size of your beams, the local building codes and your deck design. Using other set of strings to line up the post. Now, ones you know the spacing measure it from the side strings and use a plumb bob to mark the holes. Place a stake at each spot. With our foundation laid out we need to mark the height of the beams along the house as a reference. First determine where the deck will sit in relation to the door. It should be bellow the threshold to keep the water from entering the house. Measure down the thickness of the decking combine with the width of the joist, this will give you the height of the top of you beams. Then mark a level line along this point on your house, we’ll use this mark in the next video. Well that’s everything you'll need to do for this step of the deck built. Next is setting the post to learn how check out the next episode on this series Setting the Post at lowes.com/videos.
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