The Service Solution

There’s nothing like the feeling that comes with adding to your home with your own two hands. One popular project for amateur home improvers is adding a deck. These construction projects offer a great chance to show off your skills to your significant otherand to the neighbors when you invite them over for a cocktail party. With wireless internet service, you can even work outside when the weather is nice.They say the hardest part with any project is getting started. With deck-building, that’s both true and false. Obviously, if you want your deck to stand, you’ll have to do a lot of preparation in the beginning. Ask for help and do research to make sure all your questions are answered. This article is not meant to be a how-to guidefor that, see “How to Build a Simple Deck” at www.thisoldhouse.com or an equally reputable resource. Picking out materials and plotting out the location of your deck is actually relatively easy. Common decking materials include Southern pine, redwood, western red cedar, Hem-fir, and Northern white cedar. The size and type of lumber you choose will help you determine the spacing of your joists. Once you select a spot for your deck, you can attach the ledger, which will help secure the deck to your house. After these early steps, that age-old adage becomes more appropriate, because that’s when you’re faced with the prospect of digging post-holes and pouring concrete. After the posts are secured, though, it’s relatively easy to construct the frame and then lay down the decking. Read the rest of this entry »