How to Build a Deck for Grilling

Measure an 8-by-10-foot area and set a wooden stake at each corner. Outline the perimeter by pulling mason’s string around each stake, wrapping it secure around each one before pulling the string to the next stake. Then place two more stakes -- one each between the ones that are 10 feet apart. The stakes indicate the location of the posts.

Use a post-hole digger to create 12-inch-deep holes at each stake.

Place a cardboard tube form that is 13 inches tall into each post hole. The tube form should equal the diameter of the holes you dug. When in place, the tube form should stick out above each hole by an inch.

Mix six 60-lb. bags of ready-to-mix concrete in a wheelbarrow. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when preparing the concrete.

Pour the concrete into the tube forms in the post holes. The concrete should reach the top of each tube form. Allow the concrete to cure per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Center a 3.5-inch post anchor, like the kind you use for 4-by-4 posts, on each concrete footing. Use a long, straight board to help you align the anchors correctly. Secure the posts to the concrete with masonry screws.

Create each beam with two 2-by-6 lengths of lumber. You will need four 10-foot lengths of lumber and four 8-foot lengths of lumber for the beams that will help form the perimeter frame of the deck. Place the lumber into the anchors at the concrete footings. Then place a ½-inch-thick shim between one of the beams and the anchor. Secure the lumber to the anchors with deck screws.

Secure 2-by-6 rim joists to the outside corners of the beams with screws. Then secure angle brackets into the corner joints of deck frame with screws. The joists and angle brackets provide extra support.

Space six 2-by-6 joist hangers along the inside of one of the 10-foot lengths of the deck frame. Place them 1.4 feet apart on center to make the spacing even. Then install six more joist hangers along the opposite length of the deck frame, making sure you space them in the same manner. The joist hangers will support the deck beams, which are also called joists. Use screws to attach the joist hangers to the lumber.

Place 8-foot lengths of 2-by-6 lumber into the joist hangers and secure the materials together with deck screws.

Lay a 10-foot deck board along the edge of the deck frame so the outside edge of the board is flush with the outside edge of the frame. Secure the ends of the deck board to the frame with a deck fastener. Then secure the center of the deck board to a joist using a deck fastener. Depending on the type of fastener you use, you may need to use a hammer to drive the fastener into the wood. Continue to lay deck boards over the frame, using deck fasteners to secure them in place, until you have covered the entire deck.

Trim the deck boards with a circular saw so they are flush with the deck frame. To quickly mark where you need to cut, snap a chalk line over the deck boards.