Deck building is one of the most fun projects you can engage in. To get the best results, it is important to understand what the entire process entails. A better understanding of the process ensures that you enjoy the overall results too.
When beginning, you ought to understand that deck building is more than a process that utilizes wood. There are numerous options that the deck design and plan can take that can work around wood. This is a good reprieve for people looking to have unique designs or if you live in a place where wood prices are too high. You can make use of different materials including recycled plastics, redwood, mahogany, icypress among others.
It is also prudent to get a building permit. With the permit, it is possible to work without any distractions. Lack of a permit can get you into serious problems with the law and it is best recommended that you have a building permit. A permit allows you to conform to the various aspects of design and ensure everything is right.
Next, decide on the deck location. Will it be in the front porch or t the back? Should it b e facing the sun or away from the sun? With these considerations, you get to enjoy the best value when the project is completed. You also should consider the activities that you will be holding on the deck and how often you will be there and the number of persons. All these considerations should be done for the best deck plan to come into existence.
When you are laying the foundation of the deck, ensure you dig deep. This helps you in ensuring you get a very firm and sturdy foundation to work with. Ensure the building code of your locality is adhered to. The depth of the deck will however depend mainly on the frost level depending on climate.
While laying the deck into place, make sure the ledger board is balanced well before it is bolted on. This prevents the need to move the ledger board when in place which can turn out to be a very expensive undertaking.
At all costs, ensure the deck is protected from the sun as much as possible. More care should be taken if the deck is made of wood. The sun can wreak havoc in the long run if the deck is not adequately protected. Paint should be used to cover the entire deck as paint has its fair share of sunscreen, thus ensures weathering is minimized. If the deck material cannot be painted on, do stain it and apply a clear coat. This gives a very long lasting look and the damage is minimized.
Lastly, ensure that your deck plan factors in the expansion and contraction properties of wood, if you bolt wood together. A gap of about 1/8 inch should be left to factor for expansion and contraction.
If you love to do little home maintenance by yourself, it is advisable to know how to lay deck plans. This is a great project to embark on a day and get to enjoy results for a long time to come. To begin with, it is important to get a hold of the various tools that might be needed. These tools include a set of screwdrivers, a hammer drill, a tape measure, a club hummer, a wood preserver, a varnish brush, a circular saw, a spade, spirit level and safety goggles.
For the best results when laying deck plans, it is important that a lot of time goes into planning. One way to bring a lot of attention into your garden is to have the deck boards plan in such a way that they are placed in right angles. Make sure you draw a scale of how you expect to lay the decking. This will help you get the most ideal results. If you are needs to have building regulation approval, do get the approval so that you do not contravene any laws while on your project.
From the drawing of the scale plan, do make a point to calculate the materials you will need. The scale should give you an exact figure of the area that will be covered. When calculated downwards to the decking packs, you should get an estimate of the packs needed for the project. It is also advisable to find out how many posts and rails that are needed for the decking.
To begin, lay out a string on the deck area. Clear all vegetation that might be around it so that you can have a level working area. It is recommended to go a level down so as to have a firm foundation for the decking. At the base of the decking area, lay a fabric cover that will prevent the growth of weeds. The base can also be pegged using concrete slabs. Distance from one slab to the next should be set at about 1400mm to allow for the support of the timber posts.
A spirit level should be used to make sure there is a slight slope of the deck from the house. At least a 10mm drop helps in avoiding gravitational flow of water. A bitumen DPC membrane should go over the concrete blocks prior to laying down of the block.
The frame of the deck should then be created so as to create for a firm structure. If the deck is to be attached to the house, it is recommended that it should be bolted to the wall to ensure the structure is firm. The frame should then be filled with long joists and then deck boards fitted at right angles. Any new cuts must always be treated with preservative to ensure they last long. If you need unique plans for your project, do make a point of visiting us at Joes Deck Plans where you will find numerous plans that you can try out in your project.
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