blueprinting yard decks?

Question

trying to build a deck

Answer 1

If you have a computer, there is relatively cheap (under $10) software for designing your own deck. Look online or at an electronics stores that sells computers.

Answer 2

I built a deck in my backyard five years ago. At first I was like you and had almost no clue on how to go about it. Luckily I have a good bit of mechanical ability. I suggest that you go to either Home Depot or any place like it and look at their books that they sell on the subject. They are a great help. Not only do they explain in detail on how to level your yard but they also tell you what tools you need and take you step by step in they construction of your deck. Also they sometimes have basic blueprints in them. The main thing that I can tell you to make sure that you do is to make sure your yard is level. Mine was not at first and it gave me fits.

Answer 3

depends on if you are going to make a concrete slab tyype patio or a raises wood deck. in most cases leveling the yard is a good start. but if you are like me you really want to get the job done fast you can get presure treated 4x4 and a post hole diger some bags of quickset concrete. or yard timbers work well to. first take some spray paint and a long tape measure. square of from your house or your property line. and make a dot ever 4-6 feet. doing the same fore al four sides. cut the wood about 4feet 6inches longer than you want the deck of the ground. if you plan on using them as supports for side rails leave them long. first dig in your corners approximately 4 feet with post hole digger. set your post and fill about half way with dirt . using a corner level to be sure that the post are plum. be sure the post are square to one another by using a long piece of lumber that is strait to set side to side. you need a friend to help withthis part if you have trouble. next get a roll of twine and a string type level. and four nails make a mark on the first post. drive nail in part way and tie twine around post. at the next post wrap the string keepint the sting taunt. put the level on the sting. move sting up or douwn until sting is level.repeat this untill all four post are united in the string square. if you want a fancie deck put a post at every bend point. with a magic marker make a mark on the post directly obove sting. dig in the rest of your post where the sting lines indicate . with marker draw a line on each of the post directlt above string. with 2x6 presure treated lumber band all post on the outside. paint or stane with a good water proofing like thompsons water sealer. with joist hanger on two oposite side measure every two feat and make mark with pencil. set joist hangers then put 2x6 joist in hangers and fasten. again seal with water sealer. in the oposte direction going to oposite sides set your flooring boards. or decking. i perfer 2x6 or 2x8 but 2x4 2x4 2x412 2x16 will work to. but i find a medium size board more eye appealing. again stain the deck with a good sealer. if your want side rails use the twine technique to get level lines for side boards and again to make line to levelthe tops. cut if necisarry and bad the top of the boards leaving walk way opening if pefered hight requires steps. level out two plat form blocks the solid type in at the foot of your stair steps. use 2x16 for side using speed square mark 45s on boards from the longest points inward. and cut. leaning against a square wall and a level make a mark ever 8 to ten inches off the ground. try to get the step of the ground and of the top of deck to match the step length. using speed square agian make square notches using the 45 side for steps. cut boards to over lap the supports 1 1\2 to 2 inches past the outsides. screw together with deck screws. and then place at desired location on deck making sure that the foot of the steps rest on your concrete blocks. firmly screw to deck with long screws. seal with sealer and enjoy. decorate with oud door funiture and a grill and invite your friends that helped you over for the first cook out.

Answer 4

try diy.com. They may have plans you can use.