Laying Decking the Correct Way

I am going to be truthful from the start. Building a deck is quite a big venture that can't possibly be covered correctly in one small piece of writing. So what i intend to do here is to merely cover some of the basics to get you started on the right path. Laying the decking boards is the easiest and the most enjoyable part. But there is a lot to take into account.

Lets start at the beginning. How is the decking going to be supported? You will certainly have to to make use of concrete footings along with a framework of wooden joists resting on them if you wish for it to last. I have built a small number of decks in my time and to be honest I sort of guessed at what I should do at the start, it cost me dearly at the time. So do not go making the same blooper I did. You have to make sure that you start with a solid support structure. There may also be building regulations to consider. Lay a plan out ensuring that the spacing of your concrete supports for the joists can support the decking boards. If the joists are too far apart it could possibly lead to what we call “sagging” when people walk on it.
The supplies you are going to use should also be a major factor. Usually decking will be open to the weather (most of them are) so the choice of material is vital. The pieces of your deck that are not going to be visible do not need not be as aesthetically pleasing as the decking and railings. But, keep in mind you have got to at this stage of the undertaking use weather resistant timber. Quite often people will use pressure treated lumber for the supporting structure. This sort of wood is chemically treated to resist those things like bad weather, rot and insects. In my opinion that is the best choice.
Naturally you can use the identical pressure treated timber for the actual deck surface if you want to. It doesn't stop you from painting it a nice colour. I have done just this many times. It looks impressive and it lasts a long time. There are other alternatives that you might like to think about. There is what the shops call 'composite decking' or what I call fake wood. The advantage of fake wood is that it lasts eternally. I also think that it in point of fact looks good as well. Another option for you to think about is to use a lumber that is naturally resistant to weather such as cedar, or IPE. There are infinite possibilities these days. You must also take in to consideration the cost. This can vary significantly depending on what wood you decide to run with. All I can say here is, as you plan your decking area, pick the best option for your budget. Keep in mind the look and availability of the material is also vital.
Finally the fasteners. Historically decking would have merely been nailed together. This technique does still work. But, you definitely must make certain that the nails are galvanized so that they will be capable of holding up against the bad weather. Obviously nails are faster to use but they will leave small holes in the decking boards. Sorry to say, over a period of time they do tend to pop out. This is possibly the major reason why many people prefer to use screws for securing the boards down. Screws have the benefit of holding the decking together more securely and can easily be removed should a repair be necessary. Again you must ensure that the screws that you are using are for outside use. The disadvantage of using screws is that they are a lot more time consuming throughout the installation process. They also leave bigger, more visible holes in the decking.
Hopefully by now you will be getting some concept of what you need to think about when planning your decking. It certainly is not what I would call a minor job. Think things through before you begin. Once you have come up with a plan you will be astonished at just how fast your undertaking moves along. It will almost definitely run smoother and turn out better if you get the planning stage sorted out.

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