Deck Layout - How to Build a Deck Part 2
At this point in your deck build you should have a printed construction
plan. If not, view the previous video and instruction sheet in this series,
Designing a Deck. In this instruction sheet, Part Two of our six-part series
on How to Build a Deck, you'll learn how to layout your deck so that it has
a strong foundation and provides you years of enjoyment.
PREPARATION
At this point, you should have developed a deck construction plan following
directions on the prior instruction sheet in this series or by using the online deck design program at Lowes.com/DeckDesigner. Also you have checked with the local building department and/or homeowner’s association to make sure that your plan conforms to construction and safety requirements.
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Now you can prepare for locating
and laying out the deck.
01 Call 811 to be connected with
your local utility companies.
They will mark any underground
service lines to avoid.
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MARKING DECK HEIGHT
If you are building a deck that will be accessed from an adjacent house door,
you must verify the height and location on the house. Freestanding decks
built away from a structure don't require this process. For steps on marking
height for a freestanding deck, view the instructions for How to Build a Deck:
Setting the Posts.
01 Determine where the deck will sit in relation to the door. It should be below the threshold to keep water from entering the house—a step down from
the door will aid in drainage and snow banking.
02 Mark the location of where the top of the decking will be on the house.
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Next, measure down the thickness of the decking AND the width of the joists.
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This will give you a height for the top of your beams.
04 Snap a level line on the house. We’ll use this mark to install a ledger (below) or a freestanding deck in the next set of instructions.
INSTALLING A LEDGER
In the video that accompanies these instructions, we built a freestanding deck. However, you may want to attach your deck directly to a house or other structure. In that case, you’ll need to install a ledger board or ledger.
01 Cut the ledger board to the length indicated in the deck construction plans.
SAFETY TIP: Always wear a dust mask and safety glasses when cutting treated lumber.
Apply a weather sealer to the cut ends of treated lumber.
02 Use the level line on the house (see Marking Deck Height), tape measure, level and pencil to mark the ledger location on the structure.
03 If the ledger location is covered with lap siding, carefully remove the siding to expose the underlying wood or concrete structure.
04 Install galvanized metal flashing following the deck construction plans and local building codes.
05 Drill a pair of holes in the ledger every 2', then counterbore each hole to ½" with a 1" bit.
06 Place the ledger against the house and temporarily hold it in position with wooden braces. Make sure it is level before continuing.
07 If attaching the ledger to stucco or concrete, drill 3"-deep holes in the masonry through the pilot holes. If attaching to a hollow concrete block foundation, first use a 5/8" drill to install masonry anchors behind the ledger.
08 Attach the ledger to the wall with 4" lag bolts and washers.
09 Apply silicone sealant around the perimeter of the ledger board and in the counterbored holes.
The remaining sides of the deck frame will be constructed after the posts are installed. Use the ledger as a reference for laying out your deck.
LAYING OUT THE PERIMETER
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01 Assemble batterboards with screws or nails.
- Batterboards can be made from scrap 2-by or 1-by wood. Cut a point on stakes
for easier insertion into the ground.
- The cross-piece should be 1-2' in length to allow for adjustment of the string.
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02 Drive the batterboards in the ground to support string that will mark the outside edge of your deck.
- The batterboards should be placed beyond the approximate corners of the
deck—two for each side.
- TIP: If there is no room for batterboards near the house, fasten screws to the
house or a single stake at the proposed corner of the deck, then attach a string
to the screws.
03 Tie the strings to the batterboards to approximately mark the outside edges of the deck location.
TIP: Be sure to use mason's string rather than household string in laying out your deck. Mason's string is sturdier and won't stretch as easily.
04 Use a line level to verify that all the strings are level.
- Adjust the batterboards up or down as needed. The string marks the outside edge
of the proposed deck. If the strings are not level, checking for square may not
be accurate.
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05 Measure the diagonals of that layout. Your layout is square when the diagonals are equal.
- Make any adjustments and attach the strings in their final positions with nails
or screws.
TIP: Professional deck builders often use the 3-4-5 Rule (geometry) to verify that the layout is square. From a corner, measure 3' along one string and make a mark.
From the same corner, measure 4' along the other string or edge and make a second
mark. The diagonal distance between the two marks should be 5'. Adjust the strings
as needed.
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REMOVE THE SOD
Some building codes require removing the sod and using landscape fabric and gravel under the deck. Even if you’re not required to remove the sod in your area, consider doing so as it prevents grass and weeds from growing through the decking.
01 Use a flat blade shovel or rent a sod remover to take up the sod.
- Don’t dig too deep, no more than a few inches.
02 Roll up the sod in small pieces and remove from the construction area.
TIP: Lift with your legs, not your back.
TIP: Save the sod to use around the perimeter of the deck after construction is complete.
03 Don’t add the landscape fabric just yet. Lay it down after you dig the holes.
MARKING FOUNDATION POST HOLES
01 Refer to your deck building plans for the location of foundation posts and holes.
- A freestanding deck will require more foundation post holes than a deck that is attached to the house.
02 Use additional stakes or batterboards and string to line up the post holes.
03 Measure inward from the side strings to locate the post holes.
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04 Extend a plumb bob to the ground to determine the center of foundation post holes.
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05 Mark the post holes with a stake at each location.