How to Plan a Backyard Deck

HOW TO PLAN A BACKYARD DECK

So you want to build a a backyard deck? A deck project is a popular home improvement project that not only adds to the value of your home, but provides a focal point for enjoying the outdoors. You'll want to carefully consider the design elements that go into your deck–it should include the features that match your lifestyle and complement the design of your house. Planning is the most important part of building a deck, because you'll be living with your design for a long time.

The key to building a professional-looking deck addition is in the time spent on planning and design. Planning your deck addition with great care can make it very easy for an experienced do-it-yourselfer to build a deck addition. . Whether you are creating your own design, building the deck yourself, or just planning your deck addition, it is important to keep in mind that time spent on the planning stage will save money on your deck addition and make construction much easier.

When planning your deck, consider the space in which you have to build. Is your backyard large, small, or maybe irregular? With a small backyard, double-check your local building codes about setback requirements for your property. If you have a Home Owners Association know their rules on decking size, color, product type or design, if any. You will also need to check local building codes to see if a building permit is required. Generally, if the deck is to be attached to the house you may need a building permit. If the deck is unattached you probably wont. Also check to see what the local building code requirements are.

There are two major areas of consideration when planning your deck. These considerations will be addressed below.

* How you plan to use the deck.

* Size, height, and location of the deck.

Use of the Deck: 

Make decisions about what you want the deck to look like and what purposes it will serve. This will help you narrow down your deck plan choices and help ensure that you are happy with your deck in the end. Think about how you plan to use the deck. Is the deck primarily for your family's use or do you entertain frequently? How much furniture will you need and how will it be arranged? What about a hot tub, benches, stairs, and other elements that will become part of the deck? Before you start planning your deck, you may want to browse through some magazines for ideas. You can also search the Internet for photos of existing decks to give you some better ideas

Size of the Deck:

There is one rule when it comes to decks: the bigger it is, the more it will cost. However, do not skimp on the size of the deck if it is not going to meet your needs. One way to save costs is to size your deck in 2-foot or 4-foot increments. You'll have to buy standard lumber lengths anyway, and there's no point in wasting that material when you could have a larger deck for the same amount of money. Make sure to include nails and any hardware the will be required for construction in your deck budget.

The first place to start, is to measure the area you have available for your new deck. After determining the area in which you have to work, use graph paper to draw scaled plans for the new deck. Are stairs necessary? If so, where will they go? Also include the furniture, benches, hot tub, and any other elements. such as lighting, which will become part of the new deck

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Next, physically lay out your new deck in the yard. To do this you will need some stakes, string and a long tape measure. Using wooden stakes, hammer them into the ground at the corners of your deck. Run the string from the stakes to the house and from stake to stake. This will help you visualize where your new deck will be. It's a lot easier to move wooden stakes around, then to change the layout while building your deck.

At the same time, determine the height of the deck as it relates to the elevation of the house. There are several elements to the structure of a deck and some digging may be required to accommodate those elements. There will have to be footings for support, concrete piers to support the girders which support the deck joists themselves and the thickness of the decking itself. The total height of all these will determine the overall height of the deck. The top of the decking should be two to four inches lower than the floor level of the house. This prevents any backflow of water into the house. 

So, as you can see, there is a lot of planning that goes into new deck construction. A good plan serves as a a road map to a successful project. A bad plan or no plan at all almost always ends up in failure or at least poor results. With proper planning and detail to the actual construction, You will have a new deck that you, your family, and friends can enjoy for years to come.