I tore my rotted deck down a couple years ago with no plans to rebuild. However, I am on a 1 year plan to get my house ready for market and potential new buyers will want a deck. Why? Because apparently access to the back yard is needed and my screened in porch has no egress(8' off the ground). So no place to set a grill and traveling through the garage to get to the back yard.
I will be mimicking the deck I tore off: 10' X 22' attached to the house via ledger board and attached to the screened in porch where I will put a door in.
This deck is over a slope that will slope from 8' to about 1' over the 22' of length.
I like to do things right and beyond any code requirements.
I'm looking for input on:
1. Where is the best place to buy wood? In the past I have used Bender Lumber because they had the nicest treated lumber.
2. Where should I buy fasteners? I'm planning on screwing this deck together, probably using mostly Simpson fasteners. I will be using hurricane ties, joist hangers, etc. where needed. Tell me if I'm crazy and what I should use.
3. Can I pour about 6" of concrete in my footer, let it cure a bit, then use some of that post saver wrap and stick the post in the ground and backfill it with more concrete? I have heard that folks are getting away from doing that and using mechanical supports to keep the wood off the ground, but I have also heard that it is just the top few inches of post that is subject to rot and that the post savers work. I am hesitant on using mechanical stuff on top of a poured post hole because in my mind, it's not as secure as burying it 3' in the ground.
4. What about the decking? Do I go composite? Cedar? I'm only going to be here a couple more years but I still want it to really stand out since my asking price for the home will potentially be $500K or more.
5. Give me some railing ideas. I see all kinds of cool stuff out there. I do know I don't want wood balusters.
Any other input you can give me will the greatly appreciated. As well as any help you want to give me lifting beams and setting posts!
I will be mimicking the deck I tore off: 10' X 22' attached to the house via ledger board and attached to the screened in porch where I will put a door in.
This deck is over a slope that will slope from 8' to about 1' over the 22' of length.
I like to do things right and beyond any code requirements.
I'm looking for input on:
1. Where is the best place to buy wood? In the past I have used Bender Lumber because they had the nicest treated lumber.
2. Where should I buy fasteners? I'm planning on screwing this deck together, probably using mostly Simpson fasteners. I will be using hurricane ties, joist hangers, etc. where needed. Tell me if I'm crazy and what I should use.
3. Can I pour about 6" of concrete in my footer, let it cure a bit, then use some of that post saver wrap and stick the post in the ground and backfill it with more concrete? I have heard that folks are getting away from doing that and using mechanical supports to keep the wood off the ground, but I have also heard that it is just the top few inches of post that is subject to rot and that the post savers work. I am hesitant on using mechanical stuff on top of a poured post hole because in my mind, it's not as secure as burying it 3' in the ground.
4. What about the decking? Do I go composite? Cedar? I'm only going to be here a couple more years but I still want it to really stand out since my asking price for the home will potentially be $500K or more.
5. Give me some railing ideas. I see all kinds of cool stuff out there. I do know I don't want wood balusters.
Any other input you can give me will the greatly appreciated. As well as any help you want to give me lifting beams and setting posts!