Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Decks

275 Pages·2016·79.466 MB·English

by  Editors of Cool Springs Press

The Complete Guide to
DECKS
Updated 6th Edition
Featuring the Latest Tools, Skills, Designs,
Materials & Codes
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
© 2016 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
First published in 2016 by Cool Springs Press, an imprint of Quarto Names: Black & Decker Corporation (Towson, Md.), creator.
Publishing Group USA Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Title: The complete guide to decks : featuring the latest tools, skills,
Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA. Telephone: [phone] designs, materials & codes.
Fax: [phone] Other titles: Decks | Black & Decker the complete guide to decks |
Black and Decker the complete guide to decks
quartoknows.com Description: Updated 6th edition. | Minneapolis, MN, USA : Quarto
Visit our blogs at quartoknows.com Publishing Group USA Inc., 2016. | At head of title: Black & Decker. |
Includes index.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any Identifiers: LCCN 2015040714 | ISBN 9781591866657 (pb)
form without written permission of the copyright owners. All images Subjects: LCSH: Decks (Architecture, Domestic)--Design and
in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior construction--Amateurs' manuals.
consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted Classification: LCC TH4970 .C645 2016 | DDC 690/.893--dc23
by producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015040714Acquiring
or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every
effort has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with Editor: Mark Johanson
information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may Editorial Project Manager: Alyssa Bluhm
have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in a Art Director: Brad Springer
subsequent reprinting of the book. Layout: Danielle Smith-Boldt
Cool Springs Press titles are also available at discounts in bulk Photography: Crystal Liepa
quantity for industrial or sales-promotional use. For details contact Photo Assistance: Brad Holden, Joe Gohman, Isabel Leatherman
the Special Sales Manager at Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.,
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA. Printed in China
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
ISBN: 978-1-59186-665-7
Digital edition: 978-0-76035-080-5
Softcover edition: 978-1-59186-665-7
BLACK+DECKER and the BLACK+DECKER logo are trademarks of
The Black & Decker Corporation and are used under license. All
rights reserved.
NOTICE TO READERS
For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when following the procedures described in this book. The publisher and
BLACK+DECKER cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the
information provided.
The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for various applications. In some instances, additional
techniques not shown in this book may be required. Always follow manufacturers’ instructions included with products,
since deviating from the directions may void warranties. The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required:
some may not be appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help.
Consult your local building department for information on building permits, codes, and other laws as they apply to
your project.
Contents
The Complete Guide to
14
Decks
Introduction 7
GALLERY OF INSPIRING DECKS 9
DECK PLANNING & DESIGN 19
Evaluating Your Site 20
30
Deck Building Codes 22
Determining Lumber Size 30
Understanding Loads 32
Developing Your Deck Plan 34
Working with Building Inspectors 38
DECK MATERIALS & TOOLS 41
Footings & Structural Lumber 42
Wood Decking 44
Nonwood Decking 46
Fasteners & Hardware 48
Metal Connecting Hardware 50
Screws & Nails 54
Flashing 56
Footings 57 52
Specialty Tools 58
How to Build a Deck 61
Building a Deck: A Step-by-Step Overview 62
Contents
(Cont.)
STRUCTURAL SUPPORT 67
105
Installing a Ledger 68
Locating Post Footings 76
Digging & Pouring Footings 82
Installing Posts 88
Installing Beams 94
Hanging Joists 100
110 DECKING 107
Decking Patterns 108
Laying Decking 110
STAIRS 121
Building Stairs 122
DECK RAILINGS 131
139
Deck Railing Basics 132
Curved Railings 148
Composite & PVC Railing Systems 154
Glass-panel Railings 156
Steel Cable Railings 158
ADVANCED FRAMING TECHNIQUES 161
Framing Low-profile Decks 162
Framing Multilevel Decks 164
Framing Decks on Steep Slopes 170
Working with Angles 176
Creating Curves 180
Framing for Insets 186
CUSTOM DECK PROJECTS 189
211
Underdeck Enclosure 190
Runoff Gutters 197
Boardwalk Deck on a Slab 200
Floating Octagon Island Deck 204
A Deck for Entertaining 212
A Deck for Livability 220
FINISHING & MAINTAINING YOUR DECK 227 234
Cleaning, Sealing & Coloring a Wood Deck 228
Finishing a New Wood Deck 230
Maintaining a Deck 232
Repairing a Deck 234
Cleaning Vinyl & Composite Decking 240
DECK ACCESSORIES 245
Deck Planters 246
Privacy Screen 250
Deck Benches 254
Deck Skirting 260
Deckbuilding Glossary 262
Metric Conversions 264
Resources 266
250
Photo Credits 267
Index 268

Introduction
It is rare that a backyard (or front yard, for that matter) won’t be improved with the
addition of a deck. A deck makes any outdoor space more usable and beautiful and is
an ideal transition from the comfort and security of a home’s interior to the sunlit natural
attraction of the great outdoors. Decks are also wonderful solutions to challenges presented
by the terrain, such as thickly shaded, woodsy locations that would not support a vegetable
garden or steep slopes that might otherwise be unusable.
Mostly, though, a deck is a stage. It’s the platform other concerns, such as buying and building green.
on which you can engage in your favorite outdoor Even if you’re not building the deck yourself, knowing
leisure activities, from barbecuing to dining al fresco, these things will pay off in the long run because
to hot tubbing and stargazing. Simply put, any deck you’ll be able to confidently communicate with
increases the ways in which you enjoy your home contractors and other deck-building professionals
and property. from a vantage point of knowledge.
Building a deck that does just what you want it That’s also why, regardless of what role you want
to do begins with a simple assessment of the space to play in the process, you should read through
where the deck will be placed. That’s just where The the sections on deck projects and deck plans.
Complete Guide to Decks starts. The next section of You’ll learn a lot about the different ways in which
this book will help you begin choosing just the right decks are equipped with different features such as
deck for your yard and preferences. You’ll first need lighting, how they can be outfitted with plumbing or
to determine what restrictions your site imposes and electrical wiring, the right way to build-in seating,
figure out just what size, orientation, and shape best and how to prevent deck failures down the line. The
suits your yard, house, and personal relaxation style. book closes with some simple fixes for common
Inevitably, this will involve setting a budget. All of that deck problems.
will lead to the most enjoyable part of the project: All along the way, you’ll enjoy detail-oriented
actually designing the deck. You’ll find guidance photos to show you how things should look when
through each of these steps in the section covering done properly, and many that will simply serve as
planning and design. inspiration for what you want your own deck to look
Taking that design from sketch paper to actual like. Keep The Complete Guide to Decks on hand as
structure is where things get more complicated. a reference and you’re sure to wind up with a deck
That’s why The Complete Guide to Decks leads you that serves as a perfect, custom-made outdoor room
through code considerations, material options, and for you, your family, and friends.
INTRODUCTION 7