Building

Basic Tools

What You Need For Digging
Measure Twice, Cut Once
Saw And Sanding Help
Drills and Other Cool Stuff
Basic Tools for Building

Specialty Tools

Bowjack
Board Bender
Deck Devil
Hardwood Board Tool
Hetra Power Tool

Code & Table References

Deck Vocabulary
IRC Code Basics For Decks
Proposals For Code Changes
Ontario Code Info
Beam Span Table

Footing & Foundations

Concrete Footing Sizes
Types of Foundation
Seven Foot Slope Rule
Spike Footing Systems
What Are Flatforms?

Joist Span Table
Deck Board Span Table
Support Posts Size Table
Tributary Footing Load Capacity
Calculating Load per Post

Real Projects

Pick a Deck Construction Project

Simple One Level Deck

Cedar Deck For Beginners
Assessing Building Site
Creating Your Deck Design
Preparing Your Site
Footing locations
Digging the footings and piers
Ledger Attachment
Setting the Beam Height
Framing the Deck
Railing Post Attachment
Installing the Fascia Board
Securing the Deck Boards
Building the Stairs
Installing the Railing

Outdoor Tile Project

Waterproof Deck Tile Job
Build New Balcony Decks
Prepare Deck Surface
Install Cement Board
Installing Flashing Under Brick
Roll Out TileDek Membrane
Apply Adhesive for TileDek
Finish Wall Flashing Against Brick
Triple Welding Vinyl Seams
Welding Patches Around Columns
Apply the Bond Coat
Laying the Tiles
Installing Expansion Joints
Grouting the Tiles

Pavers On Wood Frame

Building a Deck With Pavers
Framing For Stone Pavers
Install Grates for Deck Pavers
Building Stairs For Stone Treads
Cascading Silca Stair Case
Wood Frame Meets Pool Decking

Vinyl Covered Deck

Steps Of Installing Vinyl Deck Covering

Outdoor Fireplace

The Beauty of An Outdoor Fireplace

Materials

Softwoods
Exotic Hardwoods
Composite
Capped Stock
Code & Composite
Fire Ratings
Synthetic
Vinyl Covering

Aluminum
Stone
Pressure Treated
Lumber Grading
Anatomy of Logs
Bamboo
Caring For Bamboo
Our Favorite Material

Hidden Fasteners
Underdeck Track
Screws
Connectors
Post Anchors
Ground Anchors
Rail Connectors

Planning & Design

Location Tips

Site Location Tips

Principles of Designing

Principles of Good Design
Quick Tips
Let's Sum It All Up

Practical Considerations

Children Safety Tips
When to Hire a Contractor?
Ready to Build Yourself?
Getting a Permit
Thinking Green? Eco Ideas

Estimating

Drafting plans
Estimating your materials

Hot Tubs

Above Ground Pool Decks
Hot Tub Decks
Software for Hot Tub Design
Footing Sizes for tubs
Post Sizes for Supporting Tubs
Beam Sizes for Supporting Tubs

Pergolas

Pergolas On Decks
Top Three Backyard Building Projects

Finishing Touches

Accessories That Make A Difference
Shade Solutions

Styles of Decks

Different Looks

Cedar
Exotic Hardwoods

Shapes And Levels

How Shapes Can Effect Utility of a Deck
Multi Level Deck and Gazebo
Deck At An Angle to Home
Wrap Around Bay Window
A Two Level Structure

Look Of Vinyl

Vinyl Waterproofing & Low Maintenance
Deck Where Backyard Slopes Upward From House
Vinyl Deck On Steep Lot

Water Features

Your Yard Becomes a Spa
Building at Low Level With Tub
Two Levels And A Privacy Tub
Two Areas Joined On Hillside
Above Ground Pool And Deck With Tub

Rooftops

Rooftops Make Great Perches
How Roof Surface is Built Up

Awnings

Shade For Hot Decks

Railings

Material Choices

• Ideas
• Designs
• Wood
• Composite
• Vinyl
• Aluminum
• Cable
• Glass
• Combinations
  

Constructing

• Heights
• Strength
• Joist Framing
• Balusters & Infills
  

Benches & Extras

• Examples of built in benches for wood decks
• An urban condo patio with built in seating
• Basics of bench building
• Plans to make your own benches
• Consider adding some planters
• How to build wood planters
• Outdoor furniture tips
  

Waterproofing

• Surface Coatings
• Rolled Flooring
• Bill Leys - Waterproofing Expert
• Steps for Waterproof Decking
• Things to Consider
• Waterproof Deck Maintenance - Deck Coatings
• How to Bid For Waterproof Deck Coatings Jobs
• Deck Maintenance Funding Reserves and Replacement of Your Deck Coatings
• Deck Maintenance and Warranty - SB-800 Is Law
• Maintenance and Warranty Part 2
• Maintenance and Warranty Part 3
• Maintenance and Warranty Part 4

• Fiberglass Is a Good Surface
• Matt Whale of Duradek Interview

Lighting

• Solar
• Post Lights
• Stairs
• Indirect Under Rail
  

Maintenance

• Cleaning Tips
  
• Pressure Washing Tips
• Annual Maintenance Plan
• Finishing A Deck Properly
• What About Stains Or Sealers?

Plans

• Starter Plans
• Software
  

• Choose Your Calculator
• Concrete
• Stairs
  

• Joist Spans
• Beam Spans
• Balusters
• Railings
  

• Footings
• Angles
• Unit Conversions
  

• Design | Construction
• Railings
• Composites
  

• Framing | Decking
• Ground Level Decks
• Titan Post Anchor
  

• Stairs
• Repairs
• Titan Deck Foot Anchor
  

Ground Level
3' to 6' High
6' to 12' HIgh
Multi Level

• Covered
• Waterproofed
• Tubs & Pools
• Amazing Views
  

• Railings
• Pergolas
• Stone Patios
• Flooring Patterns
• Lighting