Wood Deck Construction

Materials required:

Before starting constructing the wood deck you first have to decide on decking, determining joist size and determine beam size. If you are about to choose pressure-treated lumber, you will have a choice between 5/4 x 6 decking or 2" material. The size and species of the decking chosen will decide the spacing between your joists. Now 2x6s through 2x10s are the most common sizes used for joists.

Pressure-treated lumber is in general not as much of costly as redwood or cedar, and can be used for the substructure even when the decking and railing will be other species. In most of the cases, you will want to finalize the spacing between beams first, and then use a joist size suitable to that spacing. Now you have to determine beam size.

In view of the fact that support posts are often run through the decking to serve as railing posts, the specifications for posts will be spaced no more than 6' apart, with beams that are no more than 12' apart.

Preparation and layout:

First of all, arrange the ground under the deck by removing the sod. Once the deck is completed, the ground should be enclosed with six mil black polyethylene to keep weeds from growing. Evaluate and spot the position of the ledger along the wall. It makes no inconsistency which way you set the joists, as long as your layout is consistent.