When a Perfectionist Builds a Deck

When most homeowners or DIYs undertake building a deck, they look for the easiest and simplest ways, but there are some people who are willing to go to extra lengths to add special touches that can make a deck outstanding instead of ordinary.

To start with, if you are a perfectionist, you'll want to hand select your wood. Some people don't mind the look of knots, but if they are too large they'll loosen in time and fall out. If you'll accept knots, take boards with knots smaller than an inch in diameter. Crooking, bowing, and cupping refer to the warping of boards in various dimensions. Take each board and look down its length and width. A minimum of bowing can usually be straightened out when nailing or screwing, but reject boards with a hollow in the face or one with multiple twists.

There are a couple of ways to eliminate nail or screw heads in decking boards, a look that some perfectionists may find unattractive. You can use either galvanized or stainless steel brackets strips that come both 5/8" and 2" widths. (Choose depending on the width of your boards.) Screw or nail the brackets into the top of the deck joists and then attach the decking to the brackets from underneath the deck. Of course, this is much easier on decks where you have easy access from underneath, but you can still reach over each board as you lay it, using a magnetic sleeve on your screwdriver to hold the screws in place.

Using deck clips that attach to the ends of your decking b

ards is another method of "invisible" attachment, but if you are using treated boards that are likely to shrink, this method isn't recommended. Both bracket strips and deck clips demand an investment in time and expense but produce excellent results.

Another method that requires extra effort but creates a superior look is beveling or rounding the visible edges of your decking boards. This is especially effective when you allow the decking boards to overhand the joists or bands beneath. Hand rounding takes a great deal of time, so a router is recommended and gives a more uniform result. It's much easier to round or bevel the boards before you install them because tight corners can be difficult or impossible to reach.

A touch that's much easier is to simply attach a 5/4" x 6" fascia board to visible joists. If the fascia wood matches the look of the joist, you get a nice, pleasing result.

When it comes to building your railing, you'll certainly want to add either post or newel caps to the top of your posts. But, to be a real perfectionist, you should take the time to install your rails flat side up, notched into your posts with dadoe joints.

A final touch that only a perfectionist would consider: use 3" decking boards instead of the standard 6". Of course, this means twice the work cutting and nailing, but the finished looks will be impressive.

A real perfectionist could criticize this article because it doesn't mention creative patterning in decking boards (such as diagonal, diamond, or even herring bone), and the use of high-end hardware for railing gates. But then, a perfectionist will never be satisfied. Happy building!

Jonathan Scott is a customer service representative for Umbrella Market Place, an on-line store for wholesale custom patio, market, and commercial umbrellas. More information can be found at http://www.umbrellamarketplace.com