Basic Deck Plan

Decking Material

• You have an option when it comes to decking materials. You will almost certainly want to stick with wood for beams and posts, but you may want to go a different direction when it comes to the planks. Natural woods can be more expensive than synthetic materials, but those materials aren't usually as aesthetically satisfying as decks made of redwood or cedar. Another option is aluminum decking.

Permits

• Get the proper permits before starting construction if you will build the deck yourself. This process may involve an inspection, or it may be as simple as getting a permit from the municipal building department. No matter how basic you may think your deck will be, it will have to meet certain codes and regulations.

Coloring

• Decks can vary significantly in color. When choosing wood, you should also take into consideration staining and painting. Among the options to take into account are staining the wood its natural color, cross staining the wood to resemble another type and painting the planks.

Cover

• A basic deck is potentially a better candidate for a cover than a large deck. The smaller surface area to cover means that the addition of the cover won't be as expensive. A deck covering that is permanent is also required to meet certain codes and regulations, whereas a temporary covering usually will not need to be regulated.

Diagonal Bracing

• Diagonal bracing beneath the deck can help prevent it from collapsing due to heavy weight. If you know that your deck is likely to be highly populated, you should elect to install diagonal bracing for added protection.

Connectors

• Metal connectors are another good choice to increase the safety of your deck. Most connectors today are made of metal, but you may face the option of using wooden connectors. Many building departments will require metal connectors, but this is not true across the board. The danger of using older style wooden connectors is their potential for either drying out and cracking or getting wet and rotting.

Sealing

• Seal your deck as soon after construction is completed as possible to stave off drying and cracking. Wood begins deteriorating very quickly and, once this process begins, it can only be slowed down and not stopped. You can reduce the chance for the process to start by using sealant that also adds an attractive element to your deck.