How To Build A Deck

A deck building project is a fairly simple undertaking for a do-it-yourselfer who knows his or her way around tools. The finished product, however, is one that will be highly visible and should get a lot of use, so doing it right will be important.

Typical construction techniques are generally what's necessary for making a good deck, but for those who are new to handling tools, here are some generalized tips to ensure the deck you build comes out looking like a pro did this work:

* Make sure nails are driven at slight angles toward each other for maximum holding.
* Nail thinner boards to thicker boards.
* If toe-nailing, stagger nails so they pass each other.
* Buy galvanized metals to ensure they can withstand extreme weather conditions. This will be very important if you want your deck to stand up to more than a season or two.
* Use ring or spiral shank nails to help avoid warping of lumber.
* Drill pilot holes to reduce splitting of wood.
* Don't place nails no closer to the edge of a board than about half the board's thickness. If you must nail close to the edges, absolutely pre-drill holes.
* Resquare and trim ends of boards as necessary. Milled ends are not always square. This will be important to ensure the deck lines up correctly and looks good.
* If following a pre-written plan from a designer or do-it-yourself manual, follow it carefully. Stick to the plan.
Inspect boards carefully for any damage before putting them in place.
* Follow proper safety measures and take your time in building. The goal is to create a great deck, not win a race. Good building takes patience and precision.

No matter the size of the deck you're building, the end product will be one you and your family or friends will enjoy. Good craftsmanship can result in a deck that will last for many years to come and stand up well to the test of time.

Poor choices in materials or a rushed job, however, can result in a deck that won't make it through a single season - depending on use and the weather. If good choices are made from the start, a simple project will remain that way and even a new do-it-yourselfer can create a finished deck that looks just like a pro created it.

A backyard can be plain or boring or it can be an oasis at the end of a long, hard day. Taking basic yard and turning it into a focal point for family living or outdoor fun, however, can be a pretty long process, but with a solid plan, the effort will be well worth it.

Many people use a deck project to kick-start their deck building project to turn a plain yard into a spectacular one. A well-designed deck can serve as a focal point for a backyard and there are a number of other advantages that go along with them as well.

If the goal is to create a backyard paradise, a deck should likely be only one piece of the puzzle. But make no mistake, it's an important one. Decks provide a number of different uses for their owners, which should be considered in the design phase. A deck built for backyard parties, for example, might need to be bigger than one for simply small family picnics. On the other hand, a deck that's part of a garden scheme will look better with some special features, such as trellises and perhaps even a slat roof.

Decks are reasonably simple projects that can be built by almost anyone who knows their way around tools, or they can be very elaborate undertakings that involve a designer and contractor. While most people use their decks simply to house a grill, table and some chairs for backyard barbecues, they present many other opportunities if imagination is present.

For those who want a backyard paradise, a well-designed deck with trellises and a slat roof can blend easily to become part of a larger garden scheme for the yard while still providing an ideal place for picnics and more. All that's required to make a deck a part of a larger landscaping effort is a plan, imagination and patience. With time, the trellises can be filled with flowering vines and the deck can offer a point in a yard where the indoors and the outdoors meet in harmony.

For those who want large, elaborate decks that are meant to serve as platforms for parties and more, a different design might better suit. A multi-tiered deck with stairs, lighting and partial roofing, for example, is ideal for this use.

Very basic decks can also serve as a great private retreat for sunbathing, creating an enclosure around a pool or even for working out.

A plain backyard is fine for storing a lawn chair or two, but a deck creates a beautiful backdrop for making a yard a personal retreat for playing, relaxing, bird watching and more.

If you don't think that a deck would be appropriate for your home how about considering building a patio?

It's great to have somewhere to relax outside after a long day at work or at the weekend and to be able to enjoy time together as a family, sit reading your book or kindle or entertain friends.

There is some hard work involved however you can create somewhere that your whole family will enjoy.

You want to start by working out the location for your patio. Think about what other buildings or landscaping features you have that will need to work with your new patio.

Do you want to have more than one level of the patio? Perhaps you want to include a built-in barbecue pit? Or some other feature such as steps at one end? Then draw or sketch out what exactly you want your patio to look like so that you can determine what materials you are going to need.

Next you will need to decide what materials are going to use to create your patio. You have quite a few options including brick, flagstone, wood or even perhaps concrete.

At this point in your planning rather than simply looking at pictures in a book or magazine, see if you can find a real-life display from which you will be able to work out what exactly it is going to look like and what colors the pavers are going to be.

Have you thought about what colors you are going to use? Do you want to match the color of your home or are you thinking of using contrasting or complimentary colors? One thing that people don't always consider is that when it comes to choosing colors, darker ones tend to be less reflective which can mean that your patio might be a little more user-friendly.

Are you going to experiment and have different types of material in your patio? Maybe a contrasting edge or a pathway perhaps made out of gravel? There's a lot to think about isn't there!

When you have got some ideas that you are interested in, or happy with, then draw out a pattern to get some idea of what your finished project is going to look like.

You will now want to set about purchasing your tiles or pavers. You need to buy more than you have worked out you need when you start the job. This will ensure that when you break one or decide that you need some more you will have the materials from the same lot so there will not be a significant difference in color.

Getting the foundation for your patio right is really important. If the ground where you are putting your patio is well-compacted soil, you may well not need a hardcore sub-base. However if you do need it then you should prepare the ground by laying down a compacted base of hardcore rubble and then on top of that gravel or a sub-base material which is compacted.

I would suggest that when you are building your first patio, you start with one that is relatively small. If the weather is fine then with two or three days work you should be able to build an average size brick patio and then you can develop it further from there.

Aim to create a patio design which is nice and simple. So for instance a rectangular patio is easier to build than one with curves. When you are first building a patio a design which doesn't need you to cut bricks is going to be much easier and completed much quicker.

Once you have completed your first patio then you can start to experiment with new ideas! Remember you are building a patio for you and your family to enjoy the outdoors!

Another way to build a patio is to find a book at the library that gives step-by-step directions, if necessary. You want the patio to look good so you'll want to learn all you can about the type of patio you want to build. Take your time and you'll have a patio you can be proud of when it is finished.