| |
| |
|
Renovating Houses and Condos |
|
|
|
Deck Building Ledger - The Secrets to Successful Deck Construction
The Deck Building Ledger holds all the secrets to successful deck construction because it is the essential piece of wood that connects your deck to your home and from which all other measurements are taken. Choose the piece of lumber for your ledger carefully, hold it up and look down the side of the wood to check for irregularities like warping and twisting. Choosing your Lumber The ideal deck building ledger should be free of ingrown knots and flaws, or at least only have very small knots. The best flat board to pick out for the prestigious job of becoming a ledger is a vertical grain board - this is the wood which comes from the center of the tree and will show the center circles. Boards with an arc grain, known as a flat grain board, are from the outer sides of the tree and are more prone to warping or cupping over time. If you are building a top quality deck made out of only redwood or cedar then this doesn't apply to you, but otherwise, please make sure that you are only using pressure treated lumber. Many people who opt for a more expensive option in lumber still use regular pressure treated wood for the deck building ledger and the joists because these are parts of the support of a deck that will NOT be visible. If this is the case, do remember to use the Redwood or Cedar for the Outer Joists and End Beam, because although they form part of the under support frame they are visible when looking back at your deck from the garden. Once you have selected and seperated the best lumber you should have choice pieces for both your ledger and for your beams. Positioning your Ledger The first step in building a sucessful deck is finding the right height at which to secure your deck building ledger. It is really important that you allow for a couple of inches step down onto your deck from your door, this is to help prevent rain water from running off the deck and into your home. Remember also, in the final part of construction, your surface decking boards will be secured on top of the side surface of your ledger and joists, so:
A spirit level and a pencil are your next best friends, you shouldn't try to place a deck building ledger without them. Measure and mark along the wall, the full horizontal length of exactly where you are going to place your ledger. Fitting your Deck Building Ledger If your house is covered in siding you have to cut out the exact size of siding to insert the deck building ledger AND include enough at the sides to also insert the outer joists. Flashing should be inserted up under the siding and onto the top of the ledger, the join should be closed with sealant. If your home doesn't have siding you don't need to use flashing but you should still use sealant to close any gap between the ledger and the wall. Galvanised four inch lag screws will secure your ledger into the wall and give you a level and firm foundation to build your deck design onto. Admire Your Work You can now stand back and admire the ledger attached to your house -- if attached at the right level and perfectly horizontal -- you have the beginnings of a great deck design for your home and it all starts with your deck building ledger. Arpad Nyikos has written numerous articles with illustrations - dedicated to home improvement trends to add value to your home or simply add quality to your home life, plus improvement projects and different ways that you can finance them. You can read more about deck design here at home-improvement-and-financing.com A great way to keep ahead with your home improvement project is a FREE subscription to Home Improve E-zine
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Kitchen Remodel - How to Survive You have decided to make the plunge and begin to plan your kitchen remodeling project. There are so many questions and you're not sure where to start. Repairing a Hole in a Sheetrocked Wall It is quite simple to repair a hole in a Sheetrocked wall, however there are minor differences in methods of repair depending on how large the hole is.Small size holes (1/4" or smaller)With small holes, simply apply a little joint compound or wall putty with a small putty knife or trowel. Chairs, Rocking Chairs and Other Comfortable Places To Park It! A chair is one of the best inventions ever made. If you've been standing a long time what can appeal more to the eye than a comfortable chair. From Savu to Infrared - The History and Health Benefits of Saunas The health benefits of saunas are not a recent discovery. The use of steam or smoke baths to cleanse the body and reduce stress has been a part of religious, social, and family traditions in numerous cultures for thousands of years. Hardwood Floor Refinishing - For The Faint of Heart Are your beautiful hardwood floors not so beautiful anymore? Maybe they just need a refinishing job. It can be a daunting task, but here are some ideas to make it a little easier. Pre-Fabricated Steel Buildings More and more construction is being done with steel in recent years, as more people learn about the many benefits of using steel vs. other construction materials. Stair Railings Styles The stair railing at home is more than a simple way to get from a floor to another. You can create an extension of your personal likes in decoration, with ornamental parts of wood, iron and other material easy to install that will increase the value of your home at the same time. Keeping Stone Floors in Tip Top Condition I had a customer call me to make a complaint about the Limestone floor we had restored and sealed for them. The building is a state of the art facility in the heart of Covent Garden, in London. Why You Might Need a Waterproofing Consultant Waterproof consultants perform a wide variety of functions. Why should you hire a waterproofing consultant for your project? Firstly, professional consultants in this field are often very knowledgeable in finding the problem and the best way to fix it. Where's the Care Label for my New Bedspread? I love bedspreads, don't you? A comforter can be used for the winter months but the bedspread is brought out of the linen closet in the spring when it's warming up and the whole world is freshening and renewing itself outside. A bedspread is available in most any color, pattern or fabric and it can be one of the most expensive items you put in your bedroom. Kitchen Magic It's amazing -- some people manage to get a complete aerobic workout just while preparing dinner! Back and forth, back and forth -- I get tired just watching! Today, pay attention to the way you move while you cook. How many times do you cross the length of your kitchen in one evening? Do you find yourself doing squats to get at your pans? Stretches to reach your dishes? Are you becoming a world-class hurdler, jumping over the dog's dish every time you go from refrigerator to stove? All it takes is a few minutes to re-arrange your kitchen storage, saving you a lot of time and energy in the long run. Hot Tub Heaven What will your next home improvement project be? Will it be an inground pool or how about a new deck? Why not consider a hot tub for the new deck? A hot tub is great for relaxing year round. There are lots of things to consider when shopping for your first hot tub. A Look at Steel Building Kits Steel building kits are a comprehensive set of all the parts required to assemble a steel building. They contain everything right from pre-drilled holes to the bolts for joining the individual components together. Brighten Up Your Shelves With Picture Frames Would you like to add a personal touch to your home or office, but not sure how? Picture frames may be your answer. Picture frames are a fun and simple way to add color, character and style. Heres How To Know Which Kitchen Design Is Right For You Kitchen design is a sea of opportunity filled with potential. Color schemes, wallpaper and other aesthetic additions will make up the design portion of your kitchen. Maintaining Your Hot Tub Purchasing a hot tub is a big investment and one that should not be taken lightly. Hot tubs cost thousands of dollars and if not maintained properly they can become ineffective within just a few months. Solar Energy Advantages Disadvantages Many of us know that solar energy is a good thing, but few really understand why. Therefore, I compiled a comprehensive list of solar energy advantages and disadvantages that will enable you to make an educated decision whether on not Solar Power is right for YOU. If You're Looking for Bedding, Think "Pink" If you have come to a point in your life that you want a serious relationship, I would strongly suggest that you "think pink". This may sound strange to some of you, but I have discovered that the color "pink" has some interesting qualities. How To Artify Your Home Would you like to make your house feel more like a home? Is it comfortable enough, but not really special? If so, I have some easy 'arty' tips to make your environment that bit more special.Before you start making any alterations, or adding anything, you need to clean and declutter. The Mighty Dust Mite and How To Deal With It A Closer Examination of the Dust MiteThe dust mite's mouth parts are grouped in front of the body, resembling a head. Their body is oval and covered with fine striations.
|
|
Home | Forums | Blog | Site Map
|
