The Bottom Line
- Step-by-step instructions provided for building decks.
- Tool section could offer more detail.
Description
- Photos of decks and illustrations showing the steps involved in building decks.
- Sample plans provided.
- Handy glossary.
- Metric conversions in appendix.
Guide Review - Black & Decker's, "The Complete Guide to Building Decks"
Building decks successfully requires a lot of planning. This book doesn't cut corners in treating the planning stages. For instance, you're told "how to evaluate your home and your activities to determine what kind of deck will suit your specific needs." You'll learn about the tools and materials for building decks, as well as how to draw up plans. Help is also provided on everyone's least favorite aspects of building decks: obtaining a permit and working with local building officials.
With the preliminaries out of the way, you'll find out how to lay out and install the deck. Step-by-step instructions show you how. Each component of the deck is given its own special treatment: footings, ledgers, posts, beams, joists, decking, railings and stairs. The illustrations help clarify the instructions. As an alternative to wood, information on composite decking is supplied. Discover how best to protect your deck from damaging moisture after construction.
For you hot-shots, there's even a section on "advanced deck building techniques," where issues such as working on steep slopes and incorporating unusual angles and curves are addressed.
