How to Build a Good Sturdy Deck

Dig holes for the footers below the deck location's frost line, which is usually specified in city and/or county building codes. Footers typically are placed at least every 8 feet, depending on the size of the deck. Make each hole at least 14 inches in diameter, and place a 12-inch concrete tube form in each hole. Put gravel or soil around the outside of the tube forms to fill in the hole and to keep the tube forms from shifting.

Prepare a concrete mix by following its package directions. Pour the prepared, wet concrete into the tube forms. Place J-bolts in the wet concrete; they will be used later to anchor posts in place. Wait for the footers' concrete to set fully.

Attach ledger board to the side of the house using bolts for the best stability. Ensure the ledger board is secured into the house's framing instead of only its sheathing.

Install Z-flashing between the house and ledger board to prevent water from getting into the area. Keeping the area dry reduces rot and damage that could affect the deck's structural integrity.

Attach metal post hangers to the J-bolts you set in the concrete footers. Connect posts to the metal post hangers. Use screws to put beams between the posts. The beams establish the deck's perimeter.

Attach joists to the beams and ledger board with joist hangers. Install joists 16 inches on center for the most durable deck base. "Sixteen inches on center" is the distance from the center of one joist to the center of the next joist.

Apply polyurethane marine sealant along the top of the joist on one edge of the deck frame where you want to start installing decking boards. Lay the first decking board on top of the joist to which you applied sealant, placing the decking board perpendicular to the joists. Secure the decking board in place with finish nails that run through the joists.

Apply polyurethane marine sealant on the top of the joists as you continue to install the decking boards perpendicular to the joists. Press the decking boards into the sealant, and nail them in place.