the next part of this deck building
series is to attach the wood decking and
railings you can see how to install
posts and framing in the previous video
in this series at lowes.com
if you want to attach composite decking
check out that video too there are two
ways to mount posts posts can be mounted
on the inside of the rim joist or on the
outside of the joists which is what
we're doing on this wood deck start by
determining the post spacing for the
number of posts start with posts by the
house posts at outside corners plus at
the top of the stairs now measure the
distance between two corner posts and
divide by the distance allowed between
posts round up to the nearest whole
number then subtract one for example 15
feet divided by 5 feet equals 3 minus 1
so you get 2 posts in between make sure
the posts are evenly spaced if one is
lined up right over a joist you can
reposition it slightly cut the posts to
length according to your plan and local
codes we're using deck anchors attached
to the joists which makes for a stronger
railing along the end joist attach extra
bracing between the joists to mount the
anchors screw a post in place making
sure it's plumb line up the anchor and
Mark the bolt hole drill through the
joist and post attach the anchor and
secure the post with carriage bolts add
a second bolt through the joist below
the anchor an anchor on the backside of
the bracing adds strength along the rim
joist for posts next to joists you can
add a piece of two by two secure the
anchor so it doesn't interfere with the
joist hanger for posts that are in
between joists install extra bracing to
secure the anchors decking goes down
next
because our deck is so wide we're
installing parting deck boards in the
middle we've added extra bracing to
support them starting near the house set
the straightest decking board flush with
the rim joist drill pilot holes about
one inch from the edge into the rim
joist then drive in decking screws
continue securing to the joists with
screws along the entire board for the
next board pull it against the first
board then secure it with two screws in
each joist when attaching wood decking
drill pilot holes at the ends the screws
along the middle shouldn't need them
also notch around posts or other
obstructions continue installing the
boards checking for square every few
boards when you get near the end dry lay
the boards to determine the width of the
last board remember to account for
overhang if it's too skinny you can rip
a little of the last few boards to widen
em then round over the edges with a
router for a cleaner look we also routed
the decking toward the parting boards
when the decking is secured snap a
straight line allowing a one and a
quarter inch overhang and cut the excess
with the posts attached you can install
the railings we'll use two by fours as
the top and bottom rails add a rail cap
and attach balusters attach two by four
rails along the backside of the posts
bottom rail three and a half inches from
the decking and top rail flush with the
top of the posts for a finished look
Center a five quarter by 6 inch rail cap
on top and miter the corners to space
the balusters you can use a scrap 2x4 to
attach them drill pilot holes in each
balusters and secure with screws to the
top and bottom rails the last railing
will go on the stairs see how to build
stairs and add the railing in the next
video to learn about each step of deck
installation
go to lowes.com/howto
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