Decks and patios can really add to the enjoyment of your home. Here’s what you need to know about adding one.
Deck Foundation
Since a wood sun deck can carry a lot of weight, it’s important to start with a solid foundation. Begin by laying out the location of the deck, making sure it’s square with the house.
After the holes have been dug for the concrete footings, rebar is cut and wired together into a grid and supported by wire a few inches above the bottom of the hole. Another piece of rebar is driven into each hole to mark the top of the concrete.
Steel straps are embedded in the concrete when the footings are poured to attach to the framing for added stability. Once the footings have dried, concrete blocks are laid to form the piers supporting the deck.
Deck Framing
Pressure treated 2” x 6” blocks are cut to cap the top of each pier, followed by 6” x 6” sills. Treated 2” x 10” floor joints are placed on top of the sills and toenailed to them.
Laying Decking
After the framework is in place, 5/4” x 6” pressure treated decking is nailed to it. Since pressure treated wood is usually delivered still saturated with preservative, the boards are installed without a gap between them. As the wood dries, it shrinks, leaving a 1/4” gap between the boards. If the lumber that is used has been dried before installation, leave a gap between the boards to allow for expansion.
To keep the boards from splitting when nailed near the end, turn the nail over and blunt the point with a hammer before driving it.
Lattice
The concrete block columns are faced with brick to match the house, and the exposed edges of the floor joists covered with fiber cement planking. Checkerboard style lattice, backed by landscaping fabric, is installed around the perimeter of the deck to hide the area underneath while still allowing air to circulate.
A roof constructed over part of the deck will provide much needed shade during the hot summer months. The columns supporting the roof are faced with fiber cement boards while the ceiling was covered in vinyl soffit.
Wide steps are built from the yard up to the deck and railings installed around the perimeter. To speed up the railing process, spindles are laid out and nailed to the top and bottom rails before the sections are installed.
When constructing handrails, be sure to follow local building codes as to the height of the railing and the distance between the spindles.
Dressing up a Patio
To liven up a bland concrete patio, start by thoroughly cleaning the surface with a pressure washer, then give it character by cutting a series of shallow lines into it. After laying out the pattern for the lines, cut them into the concrete using a circular saw equipped with a masonry blade and using a board a guide.
Since this generates a lot of dust, wear a respirator while cutting.
A concrete stain or paint can then be applied to seal the surface and add a touch of color. While paints work better for covering blemishes, stains are a more durable alternative.
If you want to create an attractive patio from scratch without the time and trouble of pouring concrete, consider laying patio pavers instead.
Installing a Retractable Awnings
A retractable awning is a great way to provide your deck or patio with sun when want it and shade when you don’t. SunSetter motorized awnings extend out 10’ without the need for vertical supports and can be installed in just a few hours.
Start by popping a level caulk line where the awning will be attached to the house, and mark off the locations for the support brackets. Align the brackets with the chalk line and screw them on, using a torpedo level to make sure they’re plumb.
When everything is ready, the awning is lifted into place and bolted to the brackets. Once the awning has been plugged into an electrical outlet, it can be operated at the push of a button from a remote control.
The seamless fabric on SunSetter awnings is coated on both sides to make it waterproof and block out 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays.
While retractable awnings give you the option to choose between shade and sun, they are not the only option for blocking out the sun, and reading our patio roofing cost guide can help you choose the right option for your patio.
