Create Your Dream Deck From the Bottom Up

Enjoy sizzling fall barbeques with our guide on how to create a dream backyard deck!

The summer heat was simply too hot for any outdoor projects. Ever since the temperature winded down a bit, now is a great time to get outdoors and start building your dream deck! Building a deck is a larger scaled project that can be completed with a little time, patience and creativity. What’s great about it is that you can customize your deck any way you like. How about building a special section for your hot tub and a pergola with climbing roses over your eating area? The choice is yours; follow our steps on how you can make it yourself!

Photo: Randle Siddeley

* Special thanks to the deck contractors in NJ at DeckRemodelers.com for helping us out with this amazing article!

Start With a Solid Plan and Make it Happen!

You first want to start with a plan for your new outdoor deck. Are you looking for a place where your kids can have fun in the warmer weather? Maybe you want an adults-only area where you can relax and unwind with a nice beverage. Or perhaps this is going to be a very social area where friends and family can get together, share memories, and have parties. Whatever your deck is going to be, make sure it is something that you can stick with for the long run. Think about your future plans and make sure that you are totally happy with your ideas. Then it is time to put those ideas down on paper and make your dreams a reality.

Measure and Prepare

Once your planning phase has been completed, and you know exactly what you would like to use your deck for – it’s time to measure it out. To make sure your deck is built exactly as you have envisioned – this phase is super important. Get out your measuring tape and mark out the height of your deck as well as the length, and width, to make sure it’s leveled and even.

Build a Sturdy Foundation

Anything that is made to last, needs to be built on a sturdy foundation first. The next step to building your deck is starting with stumps and bearers that you deck will lie on. Then, install joists, the beams that will support the decking boards.

Measure Twice to Avoid Mistakes

Now is the time to re-masure, re-check, and make any alternations to your deck. You want to ensure everything is prepared and ready-to-go before you lay down your decking boards. If your deck beams are off level, fix them now. If it’s made too big or your deck seems too small, now is the time to resize it.
The Final Deck Building Phase

The final phase begins by laying out your decking boards. Using a nail gun, fasten your nail boards to your joists. Then, slather on a stain or paint your deck with a weatherproof paint, making sure to seal it when completed. Voila, a brand new deck that will create tons of memories, delicious barbeques, and wonderful parties!