- The parts of a deck include a ledger, joists, beams, piers and planks. You may also need posts, steps and railings for more complex decks. Familiarizing yourself with these terms makes a good first step in building your deck. Since most decks are made from composite, vinyl or hardwood, knowing the advantages of each helps you determine which works best for your project.
- To successfully build a deck, you'll need skills that involve measuring and planning its layout. You may also need to know how to pour concrete for the base. Basic construction skills such as using hammers, nails and an electric saw and drill come in handy when building a deck.
- Building the deck itself requires knowledge of various types of saws such as circular and handsaws for cutting deck boards to size. You also need to use a nailing system, such as a nail gun, to secure planks to the frame.
What's Involved
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