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Decks and Patios |
Deck
Decks provide an ideal spot
to hang out and lounge on beautiful summer days. Keep up
your deck’s durability and appearance by maintaining
your deck properly. This can be hard work; which is why
DoItYourself.com provides such an extensive deck
section. Answers to any questions about finishes,
materials, maintenance, or building can be found in
these articles. Prevent your deck from rotting away by
protecting it today! |
Deck
- How to Add Cross Bracing and Blocking
Blocking, also called solid
bridging, is made of short pieces of joist material that
are wedged between the joists and arranged in a
staggered row. |
Deck
- How to Attach a Bench Seat to the Deck
You can add this bench to a
completed deck. It looks a bit complicated, but a
careful do-it-yourselfer can pull it off, and it will
give a great handcrafted touch to your deck. |
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Deck
- How to Plan your Stairs
If you need a simple way to
get from the deck to the ground, a 36-inch-wide stairway
with standard treads and risers will do fine. It can be
built without much trouble using only two stringers. |
Deck
- How to Install Top and Bottom Railings
Well-installed top and
bottom deck rails provide the framework required for
stunning baluster, top cap, and post cap designs. These
steps will show you how to install sturdy rails to
border your deck. |
Deck
- How to Position Posts
Deck beams can either 1) be
lag-screwed or bolted to the posts, or 2) sit on top of
them. Both methods are strong. The screw or bolt method
helps keep the beam from twisting, while the on-top
method is slightly more resistant to downward pressure
from the deck. |
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Deck
- How to Put Up Posts for Decorative Railings
Railing construction
methods vary, but most use the techniques shown at this
link. Typically, the railing posts are installed first,
followed by the top and bottom rails, then the top cap,
then the balusters. Alternatively, the rail sections can
be built ladder-style then installed between the posts. |
Deck
- How to Set Precast Concrete Piers
The footings supporting
your deck are crucial to its welfare, yet since
they’re largely unseen, it’s tempting to treat them
with nonchalance. |
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