Whether it's built by a professional or by a do-it-yourselfer, a good-looking, durable redwood deck addition gives an immediate return in outdoor enjoyment as well as increased property value.
The California Redwood Association has compiled 18 useful tips from the pros to help homeowners plan to build a quality deck project:1. Place the deck in the best location. Consider the slope of the yard, sun exposure during the changing seasons and the location of fixed underground utilities for future access.
2. Plan for any contemplated plumbing, gas and electrical outlets.
3. Find out what the local building guidelines and restrictions are and research the procedures for obtaining permits.
4. Select quality materials. Professional deck builders often choose redwood because of its beauty, decay resistance and insect resistance. They like to work with natural redwood because it is lightweight and easy to saw and drill.
5. Choose lumber that won't warp and split. Redwood shrinks and swells less than other woods, so decking boards go down flat and they stay flat.
6. Specify the right grade of lumber for the job. Economical knot-textured garden grades of redwood are a good choice for decks and most other outdoor projects. Use kiln-dried architectural redwood for areas requiring tight joints, such as outdoor shelves, cabinets and detail work.
7. Before building, coat all redwood lumber with a quality water repellent finish containing a mildewcide and ultraviolet light inhibitor. Before finishing, wood surfaces should be clean and dry. Brushing is the best method for applying finishes.
8. Use stainless steel, aluminum or top-quality, hot-dipped galvanized nails, fasteners and hardware. Inferior fasteners will react with redwood's natural, decay-resisting extractives and will cause stain.
9. Use concrete footings for the best support for redwood deck framing. In many areas, building codes require footings to extend below the frost line. Tops of footings should extend 6 inches above ground and should be pitched outward to prevent water collecting and to inhibit decay and insects.
10. Use additional joists and larger beams to handle concentrated loads of planters, spas and other heavy objects. Local building codes should be consulted regarding structural regulations.
11. In areas where posts meet footings or where ledgers are attached to the house, use all-heartwood redwood. Pre-finish with a water repellent. Trapped moisture can cause premature decaying of wood.
12. Apply flat grain redwood decking (characterized by wavy lines across the width of the board) with the "bark side" up. To determine this, position the board so that the rings on the end form an upward rainbowlike arch.
13. Use 16-penny box nails for 2-inch redwood deck boards. Nail at a slight angle for extra holding power.
14. When installing redwood decking, provide a 1/8-inch minimum space between boards to allow for drainage and the natural expansion and contraction of wood as it wets and dries. A 16-penny nail is a good spacer.
15. Pre-drill nail holes at the ends of redwood boards to avoid splitting. Center large knots and butt-jointed board ends over joists.
16. Build a railing that doesn't encourage sitting unless it is intended for that purpose. Supports must be securely fastened to the framing of the deck. They may be bolted to joists or beams.
17. Add some of the custom details used by the pros. They often use a fascia board trim around the top edge of the decking to give it a more finished look. Rounded edges can soften the appearance of board ends and edges. The pros often miter the corners.
18. Personalize the deck with extra amenities such as redwood shade trellises, privacy screens and built-in benches and planters.
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To help you design and build your redwood project, write for the new Redwood Design-A-Deck Kit. It contains a color idea book, ingenious design grid with static-cling modules, deck construction guide, blueprints and materials lists. Send $19.50 to California Redwood Association, Department DAD93, 405 Enfrente Drive, Suite 200, Novato, CA 94949.