Just bought a house..

[Panakk]

I want to build a deck. Suggestions. It's going to be 20 by 15 and it's going to be 2 feet off the ground.. I want a party deck. Where should i go, what have you guys done.. any info will be greatly appreciated. TIA

 

Don't be a fat lazy bastard, build it yourself

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

plenty of books on the subject. know your local building codes for spacing of joices and support beams. other than than have fun. oh, and get a good drill (not cordless).

 

[Ausm]

Be sure to check local city ordnances..that is if you live in the city. Where I live you have to make sure there is a railing at least 3 foot high around the deck plus numerous others.


Sysadmin

 

[KK]

I priced out a deck and for for just the materials on a 12x10 deck, and it'd run around $500 to do it yourself. For the size you need, I'd estimate $750-800 in materials.

KK

 

[Panakk]

any recommendation on the wood? i won't stain it but i'll water proof it..
Do i need a sander to build one?

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: Panakk
any recommendation on the wood? i won't stain it but i'll water proof it..
Do i need a sander to build one?

pine, pre-treated. Sanding? I guess you could.

KK

 

[jinduy]

congrats on your new home!

 

[woowoo]

Take a good look at trex before you buy your wood.

 

[Ornery]

Why a deck? Why not a patio? You don't have to, build it, maintain it, fence it, stain it, treat it, chase animals from under it... and it looks good too!

 

[Panakk]

do you know the price difference between trex and wood? I heard that trex has a 40 year warranty.. If it's about 200 dollars more, it's probably worth the investment since i don't have to ever power wash it down.. hmm?

 

[PanzerIV]

Hey Roger thanks for that link. I'm not building a deck right now but I could definitely use tips on pretty much everything else!

 

[Eli]

If you want to give your deck a really smooth finish, you could use a sander, but it had better be a rather large one....

I suggest doing a LOT of research. A deck is not something that you want to get into clueless.

It will either collapse on you or rott away in 10 years if you don't do it right.

 

[lancestorm]

Originally posted by: KK
I priced out a deck and for for just the materials on a 12x10 deck, and it'd run around $500 to do it yourself. For the size you need, I'd estimate $750-800 in materials.

KK

That is CHEAP... How'd you get it so cheap? My cousin just built one himself and it cost him over $1600 even after a discount because he knows the manager at Lowe's!! It is a simple 16x20 deck with standard pressure treated wood....

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

assuming you want to look at the same deck for 40 years!

my feeling is that you should be more concerned with look and feel for the next 5 to 10 years.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: Panakk
do you know the price difference between trex and wood? I heard that trex has a 40 year warranty.. If it's about 200 dollars more, it's probably worth the investment since i don't have to ever power wash it down.. hmm?

Yeah, it'll save you alot of maintenance, thats for sure. I have no idea of what it'd run. My guess is probably double.

KK

 

[Panakk]

I saw a Sutherlands add that it's 499 to build a 10x12 deck. This includes everything but the posts..

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: lancestorm

Originally posted by: KK
I priced out a deck and for for just the materials on a 12x10 deck, and it'd run around $500 to do it yourself. For the size you need, I'd estimate $750-800 in materials.

KK

That is CHEAP... How'd you get it so cheap? My cousin just built one himself and it cost him over $1600 even after a discount because he knows the manager at Lowe's!! It is a simple 16x20 deck with standard pressure treated wood....

I haven't built it yet, but that would be for just the wood using gift cards purchased for 20% off retail face and 10% off coupon to lowes. So paying retail, which no one should do , it'd run around 600. Of course this doesn't include the metal hangers, screws, and such, so add another $100.

KK

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: Panakk
any recommendation on the wood? i won't stain it but i'll water proof it..
Do i need a sander to build one?

use the man-made trex material. will never rot and matenance free

 

[Ornery]

N/M

 

[Panakk]

I found this link for those who are interested. Lots of cool ideas.

Free Deck Plans

 

[KK]

Skil Project site.

Down toward the bottom has some ideas.

KK

 

[Yossarian]

make sure you research any permits you need. every neighborhood has nosy fvckers who have nothing better to do than report people for unauthorized construction projects.

 

[Panakk]

what do you guys use for material? Treated or cedar. I don't want to go trex.. I know that if i get good quality treated wood, it'll be great.

 

[KK]

Another project site.

Cedar probably costs more than treated.

KK