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View Full Version : Our new deck, built this Summer



Al Navas
09-20-2010, 9:02 PM
Mitchell's thread (http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=148420) reminded me that I have not shared with SMC the huge deck build. I spent two months and two days helping our contractor build a new deck, as the old one was 37+ years old, and in extremely poor shape. My job consisted primarily of spraying sealer on each and every board prior to installation. Last week I applied a second coat to the deck flooring, as we trashed the first application dragging mud and sand during the construction phase.

Now, some details. We replaced the attached portion, and trashed the area I am standing on - then planted grass, which is just now showing through the straw - that is my shop in the background, about 250 feet from where I stand:

http://sandal-woodsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/deck.jpg

Once the lower deck was removed, we discovered some serious structural problems. This is the view after removing the older deck at poolside:

http://sandal-woodsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/lower-deck-removed.jpg

Of course, the structural damage to the upper section also became evident as we took things apart:

http://sandal-woodsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/deck-old-damage-3.jpg

This meant it was time for major decisions. It meant total rebuild, but with modifications. Ordered the lumber, and had it delivered - but also managed to make several more trips for trailer loads. This is the first load delivered:

http://sandal-woodsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/deck-new-lumber-2.jpg

One of the main modifications to the original design was to enlarge the area just outside the kitchen to 18' x 21':

http://sandal-woodsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/deck-extension.jpg

From about 40 yards away you can see much of the deck structure:

http://sandal-woodsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/deck-almost-done-2.jpg


The new landing, going from poolside to the garage, at the North end of the house:

http://sandal-woodsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/deck-pool-garage.jpg

The stairs from the kitchen area to poolside, and highlighting the new patio under the deck extension above:

http://sandal-woodsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/deck-stairs-kitchen-pool.jpg

The stairway at the far end takes us from the living room area to poolside:

http://sandal-woodsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/deck-stairs-to-pool.jpg

I used a Leigh FMT to make the two gates using mortise and tenon joinery:

http://sandal-woodsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/deck-pool-garage-gates.jpg


We used huge hinges to attach the new gates to the posts:

http://sandal-woodsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/deck-pool-garage-gates-m-and-t.jpg

Thanks for reading! More details in several articles on my blog. I cannot post a direct link to my blog due to TOS restrictions, but you will find the address on my Profile.


Al

Mitchell Andrus
09-21-2010, 9:10 AM
Wow. That's quite a project with generous traffic flow. I really like the stairs that go past the A/C units - not boring. (I hate boring stairs).

In the shot looking through the trees, you can see the danger of making a deck's edge that isn't co-planer to the face of the house. Angles and trapezoids make it look like something is out of whack.

Well done.
.

Bill Huber
09-21-2010, 9:39 AM
Couldn't you just have used some wood filler and fixed the damaged areas:rolleyes::rolleyes:

That looks like like really nice deck, I am glad I didn't have to build it, 2 months and 2 days would have been more like 2 years and 2 months.

My question is why the 2 gates at the AC units, they look like they just drop off to no where?

Al Navas
09-21-2010, 10:51 AM
Wow. That's quite a project with generous traffic flow. I really like the stairs that go past the A/C units - not boring....
Mitchell,

Our main thought was to provide access to all areas below from places upstairs - thus, access from many places.






Couldn't you just have used some wood filler and fixed the damaged areas:rolleyes::rolleyes:...
Darn, Bill! I wish I would have thought about it...:D



...My question is why the 2 gates at the AC units, they look like they just drop off to no where?
Bill,

Our experience for the last 8 years living here is that the A/C repair technician always uses the deck to keep his tools handy *and* clean. Without that experience, we would not have even installed the gates, one for each heat pump. In addition, the gates open in such way that the deck runway is open to the garage/parking area, without having to open/close/open either gate just to go by to get additional tools. It never fails, they always need one or more tools to get the job done. They are truly terrific - and we hope we have helped them in getting the job done next time they must come to fix something :) .


Al

Dave Woods
09-22-2010, 9:00 AM
Couldn't you just have used some wood filler and fixed the damaged areas:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Cute.

Nice work! Impressive stairs, especially. You have a beautiful home.

Alan Trout
09-22-2010, 9:44 AM
Al,

That is a beautiful home and deck. I can tell you put a lot of work in it and it should give you many years of service and you should be very proud of what you have accomplished as this is a enormous task.

I was very hesitant to post a couple of problems that I see with your deck because I don't want it to be seen as criticism. However being an inspector and always looking for problems I will mention a couple of things I see that don't meet current codes for deck construction. You may not care which is OK, but this may help someone else that is going to sell a house that needs a deck repaired or reconstructed that will meet current IRC codes.

First overall it looks very good and really nice craftsmanship. However if a deck is over 6 feet off of the ground the post supporting the deck should be larger than 4"x4" cross section. All post on the portions of the deck over 6' should be 6"x6". Also the hand rails at your steps are not considered graspable. the maximum cross section of a handrail by current codes is 1 1/2" and all hand rails should return to a wall or newel post. These are the only 2 things that I noticed. Other than that I see joist hangers which is good. I cannot see how the ledger is attached to the house but it should be bolted min. every 3' etc.

Again very nice work and I hope you do not take any offense to my code critique. Just in my nature as it is my job.

Thanks

Alan

Rick Moyer
09-22-2010, 9:38 PM
Looks great Al, but hows the golf course?!!!