Deck design-build online guide: this article series describes the steps in design & construction of exterior decks, deck railings, stairs & stair railings.

We include deck design advice, deck style choices, and descriptions of building both low or on-ground decks and higher and more complex deck structures. In a series of articles we explain how to design and build a deck beginning with a simple idea and some sketches.

Articles explain how to lay out the deck, how to build it square to the building, how to install the ledger board and how to build deck footings, piers, and posts. Following from the ground up we describe construction & installation of deck girders, framing and connecting deck joists, deck flashing at the building, and decking or deck floor installations. Steps in building deck railings or guardrails, stairs & stair rails are provided in detail.

Deck Design & Build Guide - List of articles in this series

The DIY deck design-build guide articles listed below are presented in a recommended reading-order for a complete coverage of the deck construction process.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Of course you can simply jump directly to a sub-topic of particluar interest. Additional in-depth deck & porch construction information is provided at CONTINUE READING below.

Article Series Contents

• DECK DESIGN & BUILD - home
• DECK BUILDING & CARPENTRY TOOLS - a photo guide to carpentry tools
• DECK LOCATION - how to determine precisely where to site the deck
• DECK DESIGN ELEMENTS - good deck design ideas
• DECK DESIGN TIPS - deck design tips to avoid snafus
• DECK STYLE CHOICES - choices among deck styles
• DECK PLAN & SKETCH - make a drawing before buying or building a deck
• DECK DESIGN, SIMPLE BASIC - start here for actual deck building
• DECK DESIGN, LOW HEIGHT - advice for low or on-ground decks
• DECK DESIGN, COMPLEX - framing tips for complex & multi-level decks
• DECK LEDGER BOARD INSTALL - how to install the most important starting component in deck building
• DECK LAYOUT - how to lay out the exact location of posts, piers, other deck components
• DECK LEVEL PLUMB SQUARE-UP 6-8-10 RULE - how to keep the deck straight and square
• DECK PIER CONSTRUCTION - how to construct the supports for deck posts
• DECK PIER CONCRETE MIX - how to mix concrete for deck & post piers or columns
• DECK POST CONSTRUCTION - how to set and connect deck posts
• DECK BEAM CONSTRUCTION - how to build, install & connect deck beams or girders
• DECK JOIST LAYOUT - how to lay out and mark deck floor joist locations
• DECK JOIST INSTALLATION - how to install and nail the deck joists

• DECK FLOOR LAYOUT - how to layout the deck floor - design choices
• COMPOSITE DECK BOARDS - alternative decking and railing materials
• DECK FLOOR INSTALLATION - how to cut, install, fit and nail the deck floor
• DECK FLOOR INSTALLATION TIPS - how to avoid deck floor installation snafus
• GUARDRAIL CONSTRUCTION, DECKS & RAMPS - how to build a deck guardrail
• BALUSTER INSTALLATION - how to enclose the guardrail with balusters
• DECK STAIR PLANNING - design a proper and safe deck or any other exterior stairway
• DECK STAIR BUILDING START - first steps in building a proper exterior stair
• DECK STAIR BUILDING DETAILS - step by step instructions in cutting and building the stair stringer & treads
• GUARDRAIL CONSTRUCTION, STAIRS - how to build & install the stair handrail and stair guard
• DECK FASTENER CHOICES - choices for screws, nails, bolts etc. used in exterior construction
• POWER TOOL USE TIPS - how to use them & how to not cut yourself

Deck Design-Build References

Besides the step by step articles linked-to just above also see these resources:

• Anderson, L.O., T.B. Heebink, A.E. Oviatt, CONSTRUCTION GUIDES for EXPOSED WOOD DECKS [PDF] (1972) USDA Forest Service, retrieved 2020/11/05 original source: https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/CAT10309354/PDF
• Australia Forest and Wood Products, STAIRS, BALUSTRADES & HANDRAILS CLASS 1 BUILDINGS - CONSTRUCTION [PDF] (2013) Colin MacKenzie Timber Queensland Limited, Wood Solutions, Australia, Website: woodsolutions.com.au
• Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
• Manual for the Inspection of Residential Wood Decks and Balconies, by Cheryl Anderson, Frank Woeste (Forest Products Society), & Joseph Loferski, October 2003, ISBN-13: 978-1892529343,
• PRESCRIPTIVE RESIDENTIAL WOOD DECK CONSTRUCTION GUIDE [pDF] based on the 2009 International Residential Code, American Forest & Paper Association, Inc., provided by reader Mark Morsching from Everflashing.
• Weyerhaeuser, TrusJoist STAIR STRINGERS AND TREADS SPECIFIERS GUIDE [PDF] (2019) Weyerhaeuser Corp., 220 Occidental Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98104 USA Tel: 800-525-5440

...

Continue reading at DECK BUILDING & CARPENTRY TOOLS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION - home

Suggested citation for this web page

DECK DESIGN & BUILD at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING DECKS & PORCHES

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Or see

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING STRUCTURES

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

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