How to Build a Composite Deck
Composite decks are often built by professional. However, you can take on the task of building a composite deck if you are confident enough and have some prior experience working with wooden structures. You will need specialised equipment and expensive tools. As for the time required for this task, it may take several days to complete.
Things Required:
– Posthole Digger
– Concrete
– Level
– Ledger board
– Drill and Drill Bits
– Screws
– Post Anchors
– 4×4 Wooden Posts
– Centre Beam
– Joist Hangers
– Marker
– Nails
– Hammer
– Decking Planks
– Rubber Mallet
– Circular Saw
– Tiger Claws
Instructions
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1
Start by digging holes for caissons. Use a posthole digger for this purpose. Carefully fill the dug holes with mixed concrete and use a float to level out the concrete. Depending on the prevailing climatic conditions in which you are building the composite deck, you may have to allow as long as 24 hours for the concrete to set and harden completely. Do not move on to the next step until the concrete is completely cured.
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2
Place the ledger board against a wall of your house and secure it in place by installing screws in holes drilled through the ledger board and into the wall. Get this step right because ledger board will be the primary thing holding the composite deck attached to the house.
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3
Attach post anchors to all the caissons you made in the first step and then attach 4×4 wooden posts. Install the centre beam and then install an end beam.
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4
Along the entire length of the ledger board and end beam, install joist hangers spaced 6 inches apart from each other. In order to make the joist hangers consistent, build a joist jig using the framing lumber.
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5
Mark the joists with a permanent marker and cut them such that they run all the way from the ledger board to the end beams. Make sure that the joists snugly fit into the hangers and then secure them in place using nails and a hammer. Keep checking the level as often as possible.
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6
At this point, you can start the decking process. Install the first plank in its proper place with screws. All remaining decking planks need to be secured with special fasteners known as Tiger Claws. Use a rubber mallet to tap the planks in place.
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7
Finally, cut the boards to complete stairs, and railings if required. Use a circular saw for this purpose.
