How to Create a Deck With a Low Door

Foundation

• 1

  Determine the dimensions you want for your deck. Create or purchase a deck plan that indicates such things as the size of the joists and the post hole locations. Ensure the deck height is below the level of the door.

• 2

  Mark two points on either side of the door for the width of the deck. Make two more marks on the house that align with the two post locations closest to the house.

• 3

  Find the approximate post locations by measuring out the required number of feet from the house and mark with a rock. Tack a nail into one of the post marks and run a string line that passes through the two post locations aligning with the mark.

  Set a wooden stake a few feet beyond this point. Pull the string taut and wrap it around the stake. Check with a string level. Tie a cord on the string to indicate the post position once you have found it is level. Repeat for the other side of the layout.

• 4

  Place two more stakes near the house outside the deck perimeter and run a string line that intersects the post positions closest to the house. Repeat for the other end of the deck. You will have four stakes with strings that intersect at the spots for the four posts. Check that each string line is level.

• 5

  Measure the distance between the two diagonal corners of the rectangle made by the string lines. The measurements should be equal if the layout is square.

• 6

  Take a plumb bob and drop a line from a cord on the string to the ground. Mark the spot on the ground with spray paint. Do this for each post location. Remove the strings.

• 7

  Dig holes with a posthole digger at the paint marks about 12 to 16 inches wide at least 8 inches below the frost line. Pour 8 inches of concrete mix into the hole. Let it cure for two days.

• 8

  Place the strings back on the stakes and check for level and plumb. Place a 4-by-4 post in one of the post holes. Stabilize it nailing a 1-by-2 brace against it diagonally. Check the post for plumb with a carpenter's level. Repeat for the other three posts.

• 9

  Pour concrete in the holes up to a few inches from the top. Check for plumb once more. Let the concrete cure 24 hours and then remove the 1-by-2 braces.

• 10

  Mark the post at the deck height. Measure down the thickness of the decking plus the depth of a joist and the depth of a beam. Repeat for all posts and cut at this line with a circular saw.

Deck

• 11

  Nail an appropriate size post and beam hardware connector to each post. Cut two beams to the width of the deck. Nail them together with a hammer using 3-inch galvanized nails in rows of three that are spaced 16 inches apart. Center the post in the connectors and nail them in place.

• 12

  Cut the four end joists, the board defining the outside perimeter of the deck, to length and nail them to each other at the ends with 3 1/2-inch nails. Have a helper pick up one end and place the frame over the beams about 1/2 inch from the house wall. Square the frame by measuring the diagonals. Fasten the frame to the beams with galvanized connectors.

• 13

  Measure every 16 inches on the end joist by the house wall and make a mark. Make corresponding marks on the opposite end joist. Nails joist hangers at each mark. Cut the joists to length and nail to the hangers.

• 14

  Cut your decking boards to the width of the deck. Nail them to the joists with 3-inch nails. Leave a 1/8-inch gap between the first board and the house. Leave the same gap between subsequent boards. Trim the last board up to one-quarter of its width if needed to make it flush with the end joist.