How to Add a Ledger for a Deck

Identify the location for the deck, which is typically against the house under a door so you are able to walk out of the home onto the deck. Measure the deck area on the ground, using stakes to mark the corners. Your ledger board will attach to the side of the house under the door and will run the length of the deck on that edge.

Inspect the location below the door where the ledger will attach to the home to look for any items that might interfere with the installation, such as vents or water faucets. Relocate any items in the way if necessary to accommodate the ledger board.

Draw a mark on the siding to indicate where you want the top of the deck to hit on the house, which is usually about 2 inches below the sill of the door. Measure the thickness of the decking material, which is usually 1 1/2 inches. Measure down on the side of the house 1 1/2 inches from the mark you made to indicate the top of the deck. This marks where the bottom edge of the decking material will hit the wall. The top edge of the ledger will line up with the mark for the bottom edge of the decking material because the decking material goes on top of the ledger.

Measure down from the mark for the bottom edge of the decking material to indicate the height of the ledger board. For example, if your ledger board is 10 inches high, place the tape measure at the mark for the bottom of the decking and go down 10 inches on the siding toward the ground. Draw a mark at this point to represent the bottom of the ledger board.

Extend the marks you drew for the decking and ledger board measurements to both ends of the deck using a chalk line. This allows you to mark the outline for the decking and ledger board to aid in the removal of the siding.

Draw a vertical line on the siding at each end of the ledger board area to mark the end of the deck. The vertical lines should run from the line that indicates the top of the decking down to the line that indicates the bottom edge of the ledger board at the end edges of the deck. The vertical lines along with the horizontal lines create the guide for cutting out the siding section.

Cut the siding out of the area where the ledger board and decking will hit the house. Use a circular saw for the horizontal cuts, ensuring the blade doesn't reach the sheathing. Switch to a jigsaw for the vertical cuts. Remove the vinyl siding from the area.

Lift the ledger board into position on the side of the house. Check the board with a level to ensure it is even. Attach the ledger board temporarily by driving nails through the ledger board into the home's sheathing and into the house framing.

Predrill holes into the ledger board, sheathing and partially into the framing of the house for lag screws that will secure the ledger. The ledger needs one or two lag screws between each set of joists, which are typically set at 16 inches on center.

Apply silicone caulk in the holes to help with the seal. Hammer the lag screws enough to catch the frame. Use a ratchet to finish the screws.