| Decks are one of the most beautiful additions | | | | |
| to any home. They add beauty, value, and a | | | | The fifth thing you must consider are the |
| serene home getaway that is unbeatable. | | | | deck supports as a whole. You need to decide |
| Imagine yourself sunbathing on your deck with | | | | exactly how many footings and posts you will |
| the rays of summer sunshine dancing on your | | | | need, and where you intend to place them. If |
| lawn chair. Imagine having a get together | | | | you plan a very large deck, you should plan |
| with friends, the barbecue grill smoking away | | | | for a large number of footings and posts. |
| spreading its luscious smells to all of your | | | | With a smaller deck, you might not need quite |
| guests and admiring neighbors. Imagine an | | | | as many. |
| evening of star gazing with your kids on the | | | | |
| solid surface of your deck. Before you | | | | An additional thing to note is the decking |
| imagine too much, though, think about the | | | | material you plan to use. Do you want a wood |
| disastrous consequences of a poorly built | | | | deck or one made of composite materials? If |
| outdoor structure. The media is full of | | | | wood, you should choose your variety. |
| stories about decks crashing in on homeowners | | | | Redwood, cedar, and pressure treated pine are |
| leaving permanent disability in its wake. If | | | | all popular because they resist rot and |
| you are ready to build the right outside deck | | | | decay. If you choose another wood decking |
| for your structure, there are ten things you | | | | material, you will, on a constant basis, need |
| should consider first. | | | | to provide protectant and sealant material. |
| | | | Composite decking materials are a good choice |
| The first thing to think about is the purpose | | | | because they have been chemically engineered |
| of your deck. Will it be used for | | | | to avoid all of the problems of traditional |
| entertaining guests on a regular basis? If | | | | wood. |
| so, have you considered how many guests you | | | | |
| want the deck to hold? That should be one of | | | | The seventh thing to think about is the |
| your primary considerations. More guests will | | | | permits that will be required to build your |
| equal more weight. It will also mean you | | | | deck in your area. Different areas have |
| might need extra space for lawn furniture, | | | | different zoning laws and requirements. Where |
| grills, and people. You also might want the | | | | some areas will require a building permit, |
| deck to be a play area for you small | | | | others will require only a periodic site |
| children. If so, that means a whole host of | | | | inspection. Some require both. It is best to |
| other issues throughout the planning process. | | | | check with your city government to decide |
| Whatever your deck's intended purpose, it is | | | | what action you need to take to file for a |
| best to think it all the way through before | | | | permit. |
| starting on the process. | | | | |
| | | | The eighth thing to consider is the tools |
| The next thing you should consider is your | | | | required for the project. Do you have |
| deck's location. If you have landscaping | | | | everything you need on hand? How much |
| issues where you think you will be placing | | | | additional expense will this add to the |
| your deck, which is one more thing you are | | | | project? At the very least, you will need |
| going to have to deal with in the building | | | | three different saws. If you do not have this |
| process. You may also need to consider tree | | | | kind of experience, you should consider the |
| removal, as well as entrances and exits to | | | | next point very carefully. |
| your home. Remember, you have to have a way | | | | |
| to actually access your deck, and if you want | | | | The ninth thing to think about is whether or |
| it in a place where you do not have an exit, | | | | not you will need professional help with this |
| you may need to add one to get the deck in | | | | project. Decking is a big project to |
| your desired location. | | | | undertake if you are a weekend handyman. |
| | | | Moreover, if you have very little |
| The third thing you need to consider is your | | | | construction experience, decking is not a |
| deck plan. This will serve as a guide to the | | | | good first learning project. Poorly built |
| entire project. It does not require a | | | | decks are very dangerous, and if you cannot |
| professional hand; it just requires someone | | | | handle the project, leave it to a |
| who can be thorough enough to cover all of | | | | professional. |
| the aspects involved. | | | | |
| | | | The final thing to consider is the extras you |
| Another thing you must consider is how your | | | | might want to build into your deck. You could |
| deck will attach to your home. There are many | | | | add flower boxes on each corner. You might |
| different ways this can be done. It can be | | | | want a decorative hand rail. You might even |
| freestanding, but that is not always | | | | want built in seating for your guests. |
| practical or safe. If it is to attach to the | | | | Whatever extras you add, they will |
| house, you have to decide how you will cut | | | | personalize your deck. |
| away the siding at the joining point. You | | | | |
| must also check on the framing of your home | | | | A deck can be a great place for a number of |
| where you wish your deck to stand. Is it | | | | activities, but it is a huge undertaking. |
| strong enough? | | | | |