Expert Tips: Building Your Own Deck
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this video, a professional framer and carpenter shares expert tips on how to build your own deck. Learn the basics of deck construction and get step-by-step instructions for a successful DIY project. From materials to tools to safety precautions, this video has everything you need to know to build the perfect deck for your outdoor space.
Why choose PWT Treated LVL? Uniform treatment, identical sizes, lightweight, no crowns, cups, twists or warps, and LVL is stronger than sawn lumber of the same size.
Please remember that I'm not showing the best way to do anything, but just the method that works well for us. Thanks for watching!
0:00 Intro
00:46 Step 1| Fast Column Layout (Stabila LA180L) acmetools.pxf.io/daW7vQ
3:07 Column to Concrete Connection (Strong-Tie Outdoor Accents) www.strongtie.com/products/go...
3:36 PWT Treated LVL 31' (9.5m) Girder pwtewp.com/products/pwt-treated/
4:09 Pro Tip 1
4:35 GTape www.gtapesusa.com/product-pag...
5:31 Accurate Post Height (Stabila LAR350) acmetools.pxf.io/m5K2vD
7:05 Yuck! Pressure Treated Lumber
9:18 Setting Deck Posts
9:53 Faux Bolts
10:50 Pro Tip 2
11:46 Too Much Labor
12:19 Labor Savings with PWT Treated LVL
13:27 Whoops, I Think I Did It Again
14:49 Fix it Fast
15:19 Setting the Beam, Plumb & Straighten
16:13 Advantages of Treated LVL
17:26 Parallel and Installing Rim
19:09 Pro Tip 3
20:01 Pressure Treated is 67% heavier than Treated LVL
20:39 Don't Forget to Do This!
22:48 Flattest Deck- Stabila Level Challenge
24:15 What's the Cost of PWT Treated LVL?
Some of the links below are affiliate links. I may make a small commission off of them.
The tools I use and recommend acmetools.pxf.io/AwesomeFramers
Nick's Boots + Awesome Framers boot The Wood Butcher rb.gy/x316yv
Instagram awesomeframers
website www.awesomeframers.com/blog
/ awesomeframers
Company pioneerbuildersonline.com/
/ pioneerbuildersinc
ISOtunes Bluetooth Hearing Protection - bit.ly/Timmy10 (10% off code: Timmy10)
Nicks Boots bit.ly/3MEHY56
truewerk.com/collections/work...
Click here for a discount on Hyspecs Safety Glasses www.iwearhyspecs.com/timmy10
Oh and another takeaway, if you use a drone for commercial work, you need to be part107 certified. Commercial work includes social media like TH-cam if you plan to make an income off of that. I watched a video about this last May and then purchased the Part 107 Course sso.teachable.com/secure/2458... I studied and learned for 1 month and then took my test. I scored a 95%, which is a testament to how good Greg and the crew over there teach. That link will save you $100 off the course and support this channel.
badgertoolbelts.com
wavecel.com/
jackasssawhorse.com/
Spotify Playlist ??
open.spotify.com/playlist/1ni...
#building #construction #framing
Hey Tim. If this reaches you, I just wanted to tell you that watching your channel has been truly therapeutic for me. I am a builder in the Midwest, who, for years now has been trying to transition from framer/ carpenter to a custom homebuilder and I am achieving those goals, but the drudgery of learning the business side and, the day-to-day grind has been weighing on me for sometime. I found your channel and you have reminded me of why I do what I do and why I love what I do. I’ve also learned some new tricks along the way so this might be weird, but just wanted to say thank you. What you’re doing is making a difference.
I know it gets said a lot in your comments, but I really appreciate that you don't edit out your mistakes. We all mess up from time to time and it's good to know you're human, as well.
That's one beautiful deck!
Also, not to brag, but I can slide a stabila across every floor I've ever framed.... I just have to put the sheeting on first...
Yes! We were going to do a level slide on the floor we just sheathed but keep forgetting. Tomorrow!
I love your videos. Your comedy is underrated.
its possible its waaaay over rated 🙂
@@AwesomeFramers possible? Yes. Likely? Nah.
My stepfather was named Tim he Taught me everything I know about framing. And it's extremely similar to your style.
Which is always tried and true.
Thank you for your contribution to the world of framing and the next generation of framers.
Holy crap that laser system is amazing.
I see your point on a higher end spec home. But trying to sell that to an average client would be a very tough sell. Great video and great job. P.S. if it was double the price, I could see the advantage, but 3 to 4 times the cost, ouch.
It isn't 3 or 4x, its 3x lineal. Factor in the total cost and its closer to 20%. Much easier sell.
I’m starting a new deck tomorrow morning. I will definitely look into these treated lvls for future projects.
Yes, blanks are great ,if you use them wisely.
Nice insights buddy. Good job
This is awesome and so informative
Love those architectural/engineered lags. They look great and. like you said, they are so easy. Use them all the time. The LVL's are pretty baller. Well done.
Good work guys. Something I’ve started doing with my deck building is ripping the blocking down 12mm (or half an inch to you yanks) and install it flush with the bottom of the joists. Gives the water better chance to drain. Every old deck that’s failed that I have demolished always rots out in those junction points of the framing
You’re welcome!
Well Done! Great Points! Well Worth the UP FRONT COST !!
I see guys build decks wrong all the time! I do finish and I just built a huge set of cabinets for the customers work area ! Huge garage with a nice ski boat! Toe kick separate to accommodate grade and bottoms G-Taped and bottom/ back of cabinets G-Taped for any moisture! Great product!
Your the Mang!
I really don't like seeing videos like this RIGHT before I'm about to build a deck.
I'm gonna feel guilty if I don't end up doing it this way....... 🤣
love your makita tools buddy. im a little bit of a fanboy but man they have served me well over the years
Squaree looking 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Awesomeness
Great looking product as well ( it’s not green)
Great video. The deck I framed last year I had to rip and plane most of the joists to make a flat/level deck. And this spring the deck looks like crap with how much the joists have warped, telegraphing through the Trex.
Awesome 😎👊🏻👏
Tim… very impressive in many ways mate. Safety…you again did the awkward work not the boys, you set up a platform, you prepared your materials, you made it look easy and not as strenuous, using the Paslode cordless nailers no hoses or trip hazards and they are light, showed us that you’re human by not editing out a error and you made Stabila hold their breathe with another slide the level stunt 😁👏🏻👏🏻 question…did you use gal nails into that product?
Yep, galvies because its exterior and I don't want the nails to bleed all over this beautiful LVL.
And yes, the plank is an easy set up with a big pay off. I know what I can do off a ladder, like fix my mistakes, so I make sure that's on me.
@@AwesomeFramers Happy Easter mate 🐣🐣🐣
@@TBird89 thanks
I like to say, "we do it nice because we do it twice or thrice".
SDS connector screws for hangers. Better than nails.
Another plus....no planing of high spots or knots that telegraph through. I graded, crowned, inspected....did all the junk labor that could be skipped. I was cursing out the last deck frame....I will be looking at this product for the next deck for sure.
I'll be honest, it was pure pleasure to build this deck and an identical one next door. Plus, when you are on the deck, its much stiffer.
I prefer mechanical connections. It usually drives inspee tors crazy but i like that too...
13:12 I'm always thinking about that 0.25/ day on leap years as well. 😆
right? 😁
great work! I appreciate the wise lessons shown here. What's the depth of the footings, and is there a standard customer load your team aims (builds to) for on the deck?
Depth on the piers 24" minimum. This is an engineered design so each deck we build might be different.
One life-of-structure super flat deck! TFS. My only caveat is the cost limits who can afford it. If they can, well worth it, IMO.
Great video! The pressure-treated LVL seems like quite an innovation. Side question, what was that board and batten cladding on one of the houses?? Man that looked smart.
Its @roseburgco Armorite and is getting primed as I type. Hoping to get some shots tomorrow of it being painted.
Wonder if that treated LVL is available in the Northeast?
Thaks a lot for everything you do i enjoy your videos but if I were you i cant slide my stabila type R300 looks like 10cm next to the window ❤❤❤
Tim, what’s going in place in the future to hide the tops of those huge piers?
You should combine your LVL beams with gluelam posts, then nothing will warp.
Thought about that but we didn't have the budget. We'll probably use this PWT treated LVL 3.5 x 11 7/8" for stair stringers and concrete treads.
There's a video that tested the treated lumber and treating the cut ends. The guy waited like three years with the control, coated, and uncoated pieces in water, in soil, and ground level. The control (uncut) end was the best, ht the surprise was that the post cut coated pieces all performed the WORST in terms of rot resistance, even worse than the uncoated cut pieces.
My guess would be that the sealed ends tended to trap excess moisture rather than allow it to escape. The treatment doesn't make the wood water tight, just resistant to rot.
Wood fencing with 4x4 posts is even more frustrating.
Run a top string to square posts with +/- 1/16,setting all bows inline .
Drive by 6 months later and it looks like crap.😢
So jealous. Wanted flat boards for mine but can’t get here. At least not several years ago.
If you’re a pro definitely get a beam saw, if you’re building your own deck, just rotate posts.
Good point, I get tunnel vision and assume I'm talking to other framers. Framers aren't the only ones who watch this stuff though.
Yuh mean I canna do it with muh recip saw? Dangnabbit!
Tim, will you paint the joists, beam and posts or use a solid stain?
None of the above, we'll leave as is
Hey nice video. Tell us how much more money it costs for the treated lvl compared to treated wood a Lin ft. You prolly get a better price but curious what the difference is. So someone can see if it’s worth it. Some homeowners can’t afford it.
How can you treat your stabila like that. I'd die if mine fell of a roof. I need to take a closer look at that laser level
To be fully transparent, but still visible in infrared, we bend the 8' level a long time ago. I forget, but we did something stupid. Its flat but bent the other way. I can't remember if we spilled sheathing against it with the forklift.
3 to 4 times the cost...Hmm I'll check here in Canada..but delivery plays a factor..and here LVL are usually non stock.
Yes the framing timber can vary in width. Which is why we lay them out on a couple saw horses and go from widest down. We start at the house with the widest and work down..natural drainage..we might on a long deck need to rip a board or two to match another. Really not that big a deal.
Question..what with the huge overhang..just not cut off yet?
Tim that stabila laser shoots a straight line , regardless if there’s a mark at the other end ?
If you're talking about the Layout station he showed, it will always produce perfect 90 degree lines (relative to the base) that you can find with the receiver.
The base would be where the 90 corner of the right triangle is, and then that receiver goes toward one of the short angles. Once the receiver locks on (so think the base and point are now aligned), you can move the receiver to find the other point of the triangle. There is a GREAT video on how it works on another TH-cam channel, Kyle of RR Buildings shows it pretty well.
The Stabilla Layout station is not cheap, but man is it faster and more precise than trying to pull tape lol.
I like the WE made a mistake .
Right? I did try and correct it though to "I made the mistake" 🤣🤣🤣
Right? I did try and correct it though to "I made the mistake" 🤣🤣🤣
Do they make laminated treated 4x or 6x posts?
I don't believe PWT has treated LVL posts, but I believe you can get treated glulam columns. Keep in mind the treatment doesn't penetrate all the way in, but they will be straighter.
A gluelam wouldn't be as pertty as the real deal either I guess
@@claytonkeeney8911 I like the look of Glulam much more than Pressure Treated.
Is there a video for the ledger?
There is a REEL on IG and a YT Short here on the channel
Just curious and NOT a criticism, but how tall are your posts. Here on the right cost we need to go to a 4x6 or 6x6 above 8 feet
My preference would have been 6x6 personally, but this is an engineered design.
Anybody ever tell you that you look and sound uncannily like Matt Damon? 😄 anyway, love the videos, its so helpful to see the process in its entirety as I'm in the midst of laying out my own deck
Mostly I've been told I look and sound like Jason Bourne
@@AwesomeFramersoh shi$ ha ha
tell your PT LVL company to make posts the same way too.
The deck won't be wavey with PT, if you grade your lumber. By grading the lumber, you can pitch your support beam lower where the joists are wider. Doing this is definitely worth the cost if you compare your extra labor to the LVL cost. Also why are your footings so massive?
Do we roll the tape like zip tape?
yes. get that stuff to adhere
I suggest yes, but a rep for GTape told me it doesn't have to be. I am unable to verify either way on GTapes website. It is listed as a "pressure sensitive" tape, but no specification if more than hand pressure is needed. I suggest rolling it because there's no downside to rolling.
www.gtapesusa.com/product-page/3040bk-black-g-tape-4
If I lived out there, I'd work for you...just for the #Rational Builder Attitude!
For the PICA Dry, are the colored leads Graphite or Wax? i have a different brand, similar pencil and the wax leads SUCK! If the PICA has red graphite, that would be an easy sell for me.
Hmm good question, the white is definitely softer and wears out more quickly.
I have not seen a tripod style step ladder before. Who makes those?
Orchard ladder
Louisville louisvilleladder.com/ladders/step-ladders/louisville-ladder-8-foot-fiberglass-tripod-ladder-type-ia-300-pound-load-capacity-ft1508&id=ft1508
Werner www.wernerco.com/us/products/ladders/step-ladders/FTP6200Series/FTP6210
Comes in handy for Electricians and Plumbers to get under top plates by being able to put the one ladder leg into the opposite wall.
What is the black stuff on top of the pwt?
It's shown in the video. It's Gtape
Any one that uses ground contact only pressure treated wood (the one with the little slits in the sides) for above ground joists is nuts. They make another grade for outdoors which has a lighter brown color and no slits for above ground structures.
yep, still junk here
Why not positive placement nail gun for the joist brackets?
Also, if you'reG- taping in a stack, could be faster to just roll on a fluid applied product.
There isn't a gun on the market that shoots 3" PPN nails
It goes really fast taping the joists. I bet we could be done in half the time as a liquid applied. Not to mention the instructions call out and give examples of tape. They may, if asked, give permission to use a fluid applied, but then we've taken even more time checking. GTape has such a good track record.
Didn't mean using the gun to liquid flash. That would take longer. If you had a bucket of Prosco and you rolled it on it would be way faster than the tape, if permitted by MFG. @@AwesomeFramers
Love you show your mistake. But i sorta liked the reclining deck.
Fuking awesome
Why are the concrete pads for the posts so big?
They sized square, but I ordered round sono tubes to make it easier to set and pour/place concrete. That means they have to be oversized so the square fits inside the round. Since we have to pay a short load fee on the concrete anyway, it was worth the extra concrete.
One of my neighbors was required by the city to have large pads like those pads. Plus, there was a 40 inch frost line, so a lot of concrete in each post. The fewer posts a deck has, the more weight each post can potentially support once the deck is filled with people. Then, the soil type in the area comes into the picture.
How much is the cost difference compared to PT? I used PT KD doug fir for my deck, which was much better than hem fir 90% water wood. I still had to fight with it a bit, but better than HD garbage lumber. LVL looks promising, but if it's 3-4 times the cost that might be hard to justify.
LVL is like $40 PER FOOT in Canada.
1 foot of it is the cost of an entire 2x12x12. Lol
Here its about 3x/foot but after you build the deck you'll find it was about 20% higher due to labor saved.
@@AwesomeFramers
I guess that depends on which end of the money stick you are on. Since I built my own deck it would cost me quite a bit more. OTOH since my labor is free it wasn't a big deal to use the planer and 8' level to flatten the deck. I wish they would sell a LVL or glue lam product that was competitively priced with regular PT wood. It would be very popular.
Legit made the same mistake a few weeks ago, good to see I'm not the only dummy 😂
We should start a support group 🤣🤣🤣
Can you get a lvl post?
Yes
I do not believe you can get treated LVL columns pwtewp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Treated-LVL-User-Guide-Dry-Use.pdf
@@alltree78 what brand? pwtewp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Treated-LVL-User-Guide-Dry-Use.pdf
Those piers are bigger than the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Hahaha
too soon
But yes, they were spe'd at 30x30, but I used sono tubes because it was much easier to just get them delivered and place the concrete.
Lol
Hopefully they hold better than the bridge piers
🦆
do you have many issues out of your fork lifts?
Nope. The VR90B we bought in 2003 and it had 3000 hours or so? Besides maintenance, we've had hydraulic seals replaced as they started leaking and we had something back in 2005 or so that was like a $1500 fix. Can't remember what it was.
The VR1056 has been a rockstar. Just maintenance and the bigger maintenance intervals. Same thing, some seals replaced.
Nope. The VR90B we bought in 2003 and it had 3000 hours or so? Besides maintenance, we've had hydraulic seals replaced as they started leaking and we had something back in 2005 or so that was like a $1500 fix. Can't remember what it was.
The VR1056 has been a rockstar. Just maintenance and the bigger maintenance intervals. Same thing, some seals replaced.
code in bc is 6x6 for posts.at least.
Instead of hurricane plates could you have used the Simpson Strong-Drive® SDWC™ TRUSS Screw ?? I don’t like the look of hurricane plates on a deck.
The red SDWC Strong-Tie truss screws aren't to be used outside, they aren't coated for it. I worked with Strong-Tie at JLC LIVE 2 weeks ago and they are coming out with one coated for exterior use.
Very different how we do things safety-wise. In EU/Western Europe you cannot build a seond story balcony/deck without erecting a complete scaffolding surrounding it.
I would love that
Cost difference of the LVL?
addressed in the video
I see that you pressed your flashing tape tight to the side of your joists. Do you think if you left the flaps on the side away from the wood, the water would drain away better?
I don't know and frankly don't think its worth worrying about. But what do I know? I almost want a tape that is 4.5" wide so I can fold it, but then I think maybe that's an eye sore?
The LVL product looks great but the up front cost is an issue.
Hemlock and Douglas fir do not accept pressure treatment well. That is the reason that those materials are slitted to allow the treatment to penetrate better and deeper. Southern yellow pine accepts treatment much better than western species. The forest products people at Mississippi State tell me that we should not expect pressure treated lumber to last as long as stated by the manufacturers.
lucky dog almost bought a window
That is a triple pane @InnotechWindowsDoors and would have cost me a pretty penny
Who does your structure designs? Do you do it yourself and pick the hardware or do you have someone do it for you?
Our structural engineer with recommendations from us
@@AwesomeFramers thank you
"We gotta subtract 9 ½" hahaahah ive been there so many friggin times smh
I am quite sure, the structural engineer did not call out a SDWS22500 for a 1/2" hole. That is a big NO NO. Bolt should be appropriate for the hole it is being used.
I am quite sure you are incorrect. Look up the hardware and notice the tables for loading. This is all @strongtie hardware fyi, you can find it in the Outdoor Accents collection.
Why do you got 16inch footings and only using 4x4
I explained this farther down the comments 👍
I explained this farther down the comments 👍
I explained this farther down the comments 👍
But who sponsored this video?
It was clearly stated throughout the video 🤔
I was going to say: Who do you think you are? Dr.Decks?
I'm definitely not Jason.
24 years later they get phone calls for deck replacements, not gonna happen lol
No life. Commenting as I watch. Dr Decks has solved that problem with aluminium.
Do you know what the cost is of the aluminum he's using? I had dinner with him last week and I know you don't know the cost. It hasn't been published yet. They are still working in getting distribution set up. So the reality is, you can't even get it yet.
@@AwesomeFramers Sorta kidding. I know the price isn't out yet. Are they going to ship it from New Zealand?
@@lrc87290 it definitely looks cool and Jason likes it. I'm not sure, but I thought there was supposed to be distribution east and west coasts. Don't think that's happened yet though.
Um. Dr decks has a patent on that level slide.
Actually, he doesn't. I had dinner with him last week 😁
@@AwesomeFramers LOL
Oh my your right your framing is great but you wrecked the deck! You face screwed the whole thing? There are hidden fasteners for a reason to make the deck look top notch…. That makes me sad that only part of your deck is top notch. Not trying to be negative but I have to call ya out on that. Like I said great framing job love that you didn’t toe nail into the g-tape.
I think your concrete piers are a bit small... lol
Why do you remind me of Austin Powers ??
So if I need 20, then I can buy 1 a month, and I might get the deck built by 2027. Super nice but suuuuper expensive.
easy, dont use wood, use aluminum
Whoever does that should be incarcerated for stabila abuse😂😂😂
It's so satisfying when it glides, though. Haha
Lol , you sound like a guy on my crew , when thing are going good on the job he always says "I" but when he makes a mistake he always says "WE", and the dude is a Huge Brown Noser ( Im Not saying you are , sorry ) , we just listen to him and laugh .... 😂😅 👍🖖
ooops @ aye your cheating you got a lift @
you get the bunper warenty with me, in other words when you don't see the bumper on my truck
@ warenty expired @
always 😁
that poor level haha
You shouldn't build decks! You have 2 foot piers but are using a 4x4 instead of a 6x6 which has a much higher ppsi then those bare bones minimum 4x4's
Dimebag? Sounds like you are an expert. Engineered design here with an SE stamp. 4x4 are plenty strong for the minimal loading. Now put on your thinking cap and instead of thinking about the load from above, think about the soil. How might soil dictate the pier size instead of the deck load?
@AwesomeFramers no 6x6 should be standard the weakest point of yiur deck is the 4x4 you should really think. I design and engineer plenty of my projects and never strive to meet "minimum " requirements 🤣. Too bad I can't post pictures here I would show you what design and engineer and built by the same guy looks like. Not being a troll but I would seriously fire someone who used a 4x4 for a support on any deck no matter the size.
@AwesomeFramers also I do not use concrete piers . I use techno metal posts for deck supports.
@@dimebag4204 you aren't an engineer. You'd "fire someone who used a 4x4 for a support on any deck no matter the size."? Irrational.
@@dimebag4204 No one asked
I'm trying to understand how you all went about making sure the posts/uprights are all at the same height... Tell me if I got this right... You put the laser up, marked the position of the laser on the wall and on each post (not shown)... Measured the distance between your mark on the wall and the bottom of the ledger (63-13/16")... That's how tall each post is ABOVE where you marked the location of the laser? Then you cut each post on the ground?
So my process was to set up a laser to set the ledger originally. This was before the piers were in and during siding.
At this stage, I set up the laser and verify the ledger height. Mark the wall and measure down. Then we held each of the 4 posts in their brackets and marked where the laser hit the post, add the distance that was on the wall from ledger to the laser.
Don't forget the subtract the girder too. So let's say the number down was 70", then measure up to the laser at each location and add them together THEN subtract the girder. Hopefully that's clear.
@@AwesomeFramers thanks for the reply!
So my process was to set up a laser to set the ledger originally. This was before the piers were in and during siding.
At this stage, I set up the laser and verify the ledger height. Mark the wall and measure down. Then we held each of the 4 posts in their brackets and marked where the laser hit the post, add the distance that was on the wall from ledger to the laser.
Don't forget the subtract the girder too. So let's say the number down was 70", then measure up to the laser at each location and add them together THEN subtract the girder. Hopefully that's clear.
4:15 Hardare.