The definitive guide to building the most popular exterior construction project there is, Building a Deck walks you through the entire process of creating a quality, custom deck: from the planning stages, through construction, to the custom details that can make your deck one of a kind. This is pro-level information carefully explained and presented so that a serious do-it-yourself can tackle building a deck with confidence. In this edition of Taunton's Build Like a Pro series, home builder and carpenter Scott Schuttner shares his tried-and-true techniques as well as a host of alternative methods, all in step-by-step detail, to create a clear and thorough resource for serious do-it-yourselfers and professionals alike.

This book will bring you:

• valuable advice on the practical side of building and design issues that will save you time and money
• in-depth information on the trickier parts of the construction process, such as building foundations in severe climates, special structural considerations, and customizing the deck
• professional tips and trade secrets for nearly every step of the process

About the author
Scott Schuttner is a home builder and carpenter in Fairbanks, Alaska. He is a frequent contributor to Fine Homebuilding magazine and is the author of Basic Stairbuilding and Building and Designing Decks, both published by The Taunton Press.

Contents

Introduction

How to Use This Book

1. Decks
Producing Plans
Design Considerations
Estimating Size and Cost

2. Building the Foundation
Choosing a Foundation
Sizing Footings
Layout
Excavation
Forms for Footings and Piers
Pouring the Foundation

3. Framing--Ledgers, Posts, and Beams
Planning the Ledger
Attaching the Ledger
Flashing the Ledger
Designing and Sizing Beams and Posts
Installing Posts and Beams

4. Joists
Laying Out and Installing Joists
Joist Details
Special Framing Techniques

5. Decking
Choosing Decking
Fasteners
Installing Decking
Finishing the Decking

6. Railings
Designing a Railing System
Installing Posts
Building a Balustrade
Railing Options

7. Stairs and Ramps
Stair Location and Configuration
Stair Layout
Laying Out and Cutting Stringers
Stair Railings
Landings and Ramps

8. Special Cases and Custom Details
Benches and Planters
Lighting
Trellises
Building a Roof Deck
Ground-Level Details

Appendix

Resources

Photo Credits

Index

I've been a carpenter for years, but still enjoy building decks more than any other type of construction project. I like working outside in the sunshine, as well as the fact that no one is inconvenienced by dirt, dust, or disconnected plumbing (unlike in remodeling). There's a low stress level, because I get the chance to do some nice finish carpentry without the exacting demands of interior trimwork. And even though there are some strenuous parts -- digging holes and hoisting beams, for instance -- they just make me stronger and healthier if I do them safely.

Compared with whole house projects, decks provide instant gratification. Over the course of just a few days, things change radically, as we move from doing the dirt work to laying the decking (my favorite part). A few days more, and we get to create a beautiful railing. And not long after that, the entire deck comes alive with a newly applied finish.

But as with all construction, there is a practical side. Almost inevitably I'm asked, "How can we lower the cost of this project?" My first suggestions are to make the deck smaller, use less costly materials, or eliminate fancy options, but these are not always the right solutions. Another suggestion is that the homeowners help out, providing some of their own labor, or "sweat equity." This will help lower the project cost, but as I remind the owners, they save dollars only in direct proportion to the amount and type of labor they are replacing. There's no magic.

Of course, if the homeowners are willing to help with some of the project, perhaps they should do the entire project themselves. Now they have eliminated all of my hefty overhead (and my smaller-than-you-would-guess profit), most labor costs, and administrative and design fees. Granted, it is now necessary for them to provide all of these services, and of course, there's also a lot more responsibility, but the potential rewards are greater too.

That brings me to you. Do I think you can do it yourself? Without a doubt! If you have the time and inclination, deck building is a great project for people with all different levels of construction skills and experience. The biggest requirement is desire. And the rewards aren't just financial. Like me, you may find you enjoy building a deck for one (or all) of the various aspects of the job, from the mental challenge of the design work to the physical challenge of pounding nails in by hand. Plus, now you get the sunshine and exercise.

Any new adventure begins with a little trepidation, but that can be overcome with a bit of guidance. That's what this book is all about. What I want to give you is the benefit of my experience as a builder. When I'm building, I use certain methods that have worked for me in the past, and I'll be sure to point these out to you as tried and true. But as I've learned over my years as a builder, there are lots of different ways to achieve success, so I'll suggest plenty of alternative methods as well. I'll also give you the inside scoop on things that don't work so well. I won't gloss over the difficult details; my goal is for this advice to be clear, definite, and thorough.

I'm guessing that you've done enough carpentry to give this a try. I'm not going to kid you and suggest that the process won't take time and effort, but if you work slowly, safely, and carefully, you can achieve the same results as a professional builder. The process may take a little longer, but I think you'll enjoy it each step of the way. And long after the project's completed, you'll enjoy the fruits of your labor. To me, that's what carpentry's all about.

Customer Reviews from Amazon

This company is a real joke they come out with these new colors and did not do any product testing of the material. the tiger fastner systems do not work, They did not do any type of product development. The sales rep for the company came out and blamed the fastener company. the fastener company blames the decking company. Well you know how it ended up. Then the rep says Azek coming out with new railing colors. Too bad not for another year. So basically had to tell the customer wait til next year. This company is so screwed up and the company to make matters worse doesn't even answer the phone when you call. My suggestion not worth the hassle and problems you will have with customer stay away from this company

I looked at a variety of deck building books, but this one really tops all of them. It is easy to read and VERY comprehensive with everything from explanation of multiple ways to pour footings / piers, ways to build beams up and a whole discussion on fasteners, decking material, etc.

There are also a variety of 'pro-tips' as side-bars that I found very useful.

Finally, it's a great reference while you are building as it's organized in a way that makes it very easy to find the specific section that applies to the stop you are on.

I learned a lot from this book and my deck not only came out looking great, it's sound as a pound thanks to the author's suggestions on construction.

I bought this book and several others so that I could dismantle and rebuild my deck. This book was by far the best of the lot. I wound up changing the design of my seating based upon some of the examples and am very happy with the results. I'm almost sorry that I am finished with the deck because it was so much fun.

I bought his book used through an affiliate and it was delivered quickly as advertised in like new condition.

I bought this product because one of the reviews of the other deck books said that this was the best book. My husband has learned a lot from it, and hopefully one day, we will actually have a deck in our yard :) Seriously, this is a good book, it is very thorough from beginning to end of the project. Highly recommended.

Building a Deck (Build Like A Pro)

My construction experience includes home additions, house remodeling/renovation, and many indoor upgrades, but only one deck. So, when we decided to replace our own old deck with one using the latest materials, a how-to book was in order. After reviewing deck books at local stores, this one stood out as the most useful.

Cons:

- This book was written in 2002 and needs a major revision to incorporate current building materials. For example, the deck railing chapter talks mostly about building railings out of wood. The same is true for decking, where almost the entire focus is on wood. The author devotes a page or so to Trex and a few other materials available in 2002, but a host of newer products are now available. Today, there are a wide variety of composite planking (plastics & wood) choices; all synthetic decking such as Azek deck "boards"; PVC and perma-cast balusters; and metal-reinforced vinyl/PVC railing (stainless steel cables, aluminum, steel).

- The book explains attaching the top of a staircase to the deck and methods for anchoring the stairs bottom to a concrete pad; without addressing the frost heave issue. In my area, outside concrete pads frequently frost-heave upwards up to an inch by mid-January. If the author's approach was used here, heaving would jack up the stair bottom, weakening or destroying stairs-to-deck connections. This was inexplicable since the author addresses the frost issue in other places.

- There were a few techniques described that, lacking a diagram or photograph, were too ambiguous to be useful.

- One book can't cover every construction scenario, but it was frustrating that it didn't cover some of the things I needed. E.g., in the section on how to flash the ledger board, the examples show houses with siding above and below the ledger. There were no examples of having siding above the ledger and a masonry wall below.

- If a ledger is lag-screwed against the house sheathing (through to a rim joist), our county building code requires flashing (metal, butyl rubber, etc.) between the sheathing and the ledger. Following the book's approach of having nothing at all there wouldn't pass inspection.

Pros:

- The main focus is teaching the reader how to build a deck, rather than how to deal with a contractor that will build your deck.

- Intelligently organized, with excellent "pro-tips", details, safety tips, building codes, diagrams, and photographs throughout.

- I didn't want a deck book for the novice. Not to worry; the author uses a writing style that worked for me, but should still work for a novice. The book may be too basic for a decking contractor, but it should be helpful for anyone else.

- Multiple approaches are described for most aspects of a deck project, versus having one this-is-the-way-to-do-it, approach.

- Occasional mention of the applicable building code (e.g., balusters can be spaced no farther than 4" apart), with advice of how to exceed standards, when the author believes building codes are too lax.

- Every aspect of a deck project is well discussed, except for financing. It starts with deck planning, and things you should consider, and progresses logically through foundations, ledgers, posts, and beams, joists, decking, railings, stairs, and custom details.

Summary:

This book was clearly worth its small cost, even though it didn't [adequately] cover newer materials or all construction issues. I improved several aspects of our planned deck, based on ideas in this book, and, found out most of what I needed to know in order to do the detail plans required by our county building inspections department.

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