Building a deck in your backyard is a great way to improve the appearance of your home and extend its living space. It will make outdoor living more enjoyable when the ground is wet as it will allow the water to flow underneath.
While home DIY deck building may not be an easy home project for everyone, with the right design, materials, tools and guide, it can give you many years of enjoyment making the effort worthwhile. Does your deck comply with the relevant building regulation codes? Building Inspections Perth.
Your deck can be one of a number of deck types:
Low-level deck
this type is attached at the level of the floor at home and is used to extend a family room or living area.
Free-standing deck
This is not connected to your home and is often built near a swimming pool, pond or garden.
Hillside deck
This type is built on uneven or sloped land to make it usable.
Once you decide the kind of deck you are going to build, there are some common steps that are wise to follow:
- Prepare a design plan
- Gather tools and purchase deck materials
- Enlist the help of an extra hand for the difficult stages
- Obtain the necessary permissions of the local council and water and power authorities
- Check the area for any electrical or plumbing installations and mark their positions
- Clear the land of any trees or plants before you start building your deck.
DIY deck building Steps:
- Lay out your deck
Mark out the length and width of your deck using string line and lay out the location of the footings. - Set the posts
Dig footing holes, pour concrete into them and set a stirrup bracket in the center of the concrete pad. Use a spirit level to ensure that the posts are vertical. Brace the posts and allow the concrete to set. When done, cut the posts to the desired length taking account the desired height of the handrail around your deck. - Fit the floor joists
Install joists using framing anchors and galvanized nails. - Fit the decking material
Most decks are made of timber material and are installed by laying them across the joists and nailing each joint with galvanized nails or screws starting from the side of the house wall moving outwards. - Trim excess wood with a circular saw.
- Add a safety rail if building a high level deck that is above the ground (check your local building inspection requirements)
- Oil, stain or paint your deck so that it has a barrier from the elements (sun and rain)
When building your home DIY deck, look for youtube tutorial videos and where possible, always seek out the advice of experts to learn the best tools, materials, and methods to get the best results.