Deck Screws

Deck Screws

How to Build Decking

How-To Build a Rectangular Deck

STEP 1 - Place the two corner Dek-Block® piers closest to the house.

Set them directly on the soil. If the ground is sloped, remove some top soil from directly underneath the

block until the block sits level. The blocks should be as close to the house as possible. Verify the correct

distance between the blocks by referencing the dimensions found on the plan. The outside edge of the

finished deck will extend out past the center of the Dek-Block® piers by 13 1/2" on both sides.

13 1/2"

13 1/2"

Edge of

Finished Deck

There is no such thing as a perfectly level yard. I get a lot of calls and e-mails from people who try not to use 4x4 posts. The

best tip I can give anyone building a rectangular deck is to use 4x4 posts, even if you only have a very slight slope of the

yard. Leveling every block to each other is very difficult and time consuming. If you need a 2-1/4" 4x4 post, make the cut. It

takes about 90 seconds to measure and cut,and the post only weighs a few pounds. Moving a block up or down to an exact

measurement takes 4 to 10 minutes per block. Remember, these are 42 lb. blocks you're working with. Save your back for

carrying the cooler onto the deck when you're done.

Don't spend an excessive

amount of time leveling the dek-

Block® piers . The block does

not need to be perfect. The

block can be leveled with only

your eye. If the block looks level

move on, using a framing level

is unnecessary. Any slight

difference will be made up with

the 4"x4" post. However, you

want to make sure the Dek-

Block® piers are sitting FLAT.

You do not want any rocking of

the piers on the ground.

STEP 2 - Level the support board.

Locate the highest corner Dek-Block® pier. Position a 2"x6" support board in or above this first block to

your desired height. If the entire deck will be elevated, you will need to have a 4"x4" post in the first

block.

If the entire deck is elevated you will need to find the height of the first 4"x4" post to determine your

starting point. First determine your reference point for the top of the deck surface. This may be the

threshold of a door or a point on the siding. Mark a line level with this point that will extend near the first

block. From this line, hold a level out over the block and measure from the bottom of the level to the

pocket of the block. From this measurement, subtract the thickness of the surface board plus the

thickness of the support board (1 1/2" + 5 1/2" = 7"). Cut the first 4"x4" post at this measurement and

continue with the directions.

12"

12"

Measure and

Cut 4x4 Post

to Length

If the deck is placed next to a door, the deck should be between 1/2" and 1" below the door's threshold. Or if you want a step

up to the door, the deck should be between 6"-7" below the door. You don't want anything between 1"-6" as this will create a

trip hazard.

Place a 2"x6" support board in the

slot of the Dek-Block® pier or on

the 4"x4" post and extend over the

second corner Dek-Block® pier.

Now, using a level on top of the

2"x6" support board, measure the

distance from the bottom of the

2"x6" support board to the bottom

of the pocket in the Dek-Block®

pier. Next cut a 4"x4" post to

length and position the 2"x6"

support board on top. Make sure

to verify that the 2"x6" support

board is level. Do not attach the

2"x6" support board to the 4"x4"

post yet.

.

Begin by positioning the two remaining corner Dek-Block® piers. Measure from the house out to the

outside edge of the groove in the block. (For example: If the deck will be 10 feet deep, position the block

so that the outside edge of the groove is 10 feet from the HOUSE. Do NOT use the the first row of

blocks as a measuring reference.) Use the same width between the Dek-Block® piers as the first row.

Next, remove the first support board closest to the house. Temporarily position a 2"x6" end board on top

of the first row's 4"x4" post or block, and extend it to the outside corner block. Using a level on top of the

2"x6" end board, measure the distance from the bottom of the 2"x6" end board to the bottom of the

pocket on the Dek-Block® pier. Cut a 4"x4" post to length and position the 2"x6" end board on top. Verify

the 2"x6" end board is level. When level, remove the end board and repeat for opposite side.

STEP 3 - Level the furthest point.

Boards Equal

Distance Apart

Measure and

Cut 4x4 Post

to Length

Measure From

House to Location

of Furthest Blocks

STEP 4 - Square the frame. Toe-Screwing 4x4 Posts

Place a 2"x6" support board on top of each row of Dek-Block® piers.

Attach the 2"x6" end boards to support boards using two 2 1/2" deck

screws at each connection. Using a level as a guide, ensure that

both end boards and both support boards are level.

Next, measure the diagonal distance from opposite corners. Adjust

the outside support boards and Dek-Block® piers until the diagonal

distance between opposite corners is EQUAL.

After the deck is square and level in all four directions, attach the

2"x6" support boards to the 4"x4" posts using two 2 1/2" deck

screws. At an angle from each side (toe-screw).

NOTE: The end boards will

extend past the support

boards upto the house.

Leave a 1/8" to 1/2" gap

between the end board and

the house. This is not

shown on our standard

plans.

Both Diagonals

EQUAL

Verify Level on

All Four Sides

2"x6"

Support

Board

4"x4"

Post

Two 2 1/2"

Deck Screws

from each side

at an angle

from 2x6 board

into 4x4 post

STEP 5 - Attach remaining 2"x6" support boards.

Position and attach the remaining 2"x6" support boards to the end boards using the dimensions provided

on the plan. Use two 2 1/2" deck screws to attach the support board to the end board.

Using the frame as a guide, position the remaining Dek-Block® piers directly beneath the frame using

the dimensions provided on the plan. The blocks on the perimeter of the deck should be 12" in from each

end.

STEP 6 - Position remaining Dek-Block® piers.

When positioning the blocks, the dimensions do not need to be exact. There is a lot of "play" in the spacing between the

piers. As long as you do not exceed 5 feet between blocks, the deck will be fine. For example, it is fine to have one row

spaced at 3 feet 10 inches from the one block and 4 feet 2 inches from the other block. Just be sure to have all of the Dek-

Block® Piers aligned in a straight row. This will ensure a well-balanced look in the end.

STEP 7 - Fill remaining 4"x4" posts.

In each row, measure the distance between the 2"x6" support board

and the Dek-Block® pier. Cut 4"x4" posts to length and position

them between the support board and the Dek-Block® pier. Repeat

this step until all 4"x4" posts are cut and positioned. Next, secure all

support boards and 4"x4" posts using two 2 1/2" deck screws at an

angle from each side (toe-screw).

Toe-Screwing 4x4 Posts

2"x6"

Support

Board

4"x4"

Post

Two 2 1/2"

Deck Screws

from each side

at an angle

from 2x6 board

into 4x4 post

This is a great job for 2 people. Have one person measure the height for the

4"x4" post and another person cut the post. Go down the rows measuring and

cutting all of the posts, then place all the posts at the same time. This may

require lifting the frame up slightly in order to get the post under the support

board.

If you are building by yourself,

go down the rows measuring

the height for the 4"x4" posts.

Write the measurement on a

piece of paper and on the side

of the support board. Next cut

all the 4"x4" posts and position

them accordingly.

STEP 8 - Attach the decking.

Starting from one side of the deck, attach the first 2"x6" surface board so it's flush to the edge of the

deck. The surface board will overhang the first support board closest to the house. Leave a 1/8" to 1/4"

gap between the end of the surface board and the edge of the house. Next, secure the connection of

each support board with two 2 !/2" deck screws. If the surface boards are pressure treated and wet,

position the boards with their edges touching. Within a few days, a small gap will form as the boards dry

and shrink. If the surface boards are cedar, redwood, or composite decking, leave a 1/8" gap between

the surface boards.

© Top Quality Builders London Ltd. 2008

www.topqualitybuilders.co.uk

About the Author

www.topqualitybuilders.co.uk

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