Wifes Idea..

[skyhightree1]

I was going to get a deck built from a builder I do a lot of work for but wife said hey lets build the deck together instead of having a date night lets have a family weekend and everyone help build the deck. I said ok everyone helped even my grandmother by handing us stuff when our hands were full between her cutting up potato seeds for her garden. I know a lot of people may not be able to build but I tell you it sure is a good feeling to have a family project and everyone pitch in and have memories. It definitely is easier to pay someone and have it done but not as good of a feeling. My wife quit 3 times but that's ok I hired her back. We got almost done then the rain rolled in we had to stop. I am building a 12x12 shed soon also her idea. I can speak for myself and say sometimes I get caught up in just paying someone to do something I can do just cause its easier and this has definitely opened my eyes up to doing more projects with the whole family. Here is a few pics nothing fancy it holds our weight and hasn't fell yet so were happy lol

 

[skyhightree1]

I decided the 5/4 decking boards was best for the top rail for more room to set your beer on

 

[Jogeephus]

Looks nice.

 

[skyhightree1]

Looks nice.

Thanks Jo I probably could have finished but I thought I had enough wood when we went the 1st time but I didn't so I went back and forgot my wallet so I had to go back home then back to the store which is a 35 min drive each way :lol2:

 

[Nesikep]

You're supposed to drink the beer AFTER the deck is finished!... if you had moved the dish you could have made it wider y'know

Looks nice though! We build everything ourselves too and it does feel good to know it's done according to your specs

 

[skyhightree1]

You're supposed to drink the beer AFTER the deck is finished!... if you had moved the dish you could have made it wider y'know

Looks nice though! We build everything ourselves too and it does feel good to know it's done according to your specs

lol thanks Nesi I wanted it 16x16 but the power lines were in the way to make it 16x16 as well as the drain tile pipes that are around the foundation they will move the dishes if I called them but I figured for what so we just left them there. The deck is 11x12 which is ok lol I think drinking while building is a good idea it helps by expanding your imagination :lol2:

 

[hillsdown]

Looks really nice ! :tiphat:

What foundation did you put your support posts on ?

 

[skyhightree1]

Looks really nice ! :tiphat:

What foundation did you put your support posts on ?

Thanks if I understand your question dug a foot down put concrete 4 inches in the bottom of the hole let it harden up then put post on top of that bolted the 4x4 to the support beam in the middle then poured concrete around the 4x4 is that what you were asking?

 

[branguscowgirl]

Wife's have the very best ideas! :nod:
Nice job! I called the county inspector for you, he said he could make it out on Tuesday for your final. He did ask if your permit was current?? :lol2:

 

[skyhightree1]

Wife's have the very best ideas! :nod:
Nice job! I called the county inspector for you, he said he could make it out on Tuesday for your final. He did ask if your permit was current?? :lol2:

Thanks my wife thinks she's a big time Carpenter now :lol2:

 

[branguscowgirl]

Wife's have the very best ideas! :nod:
Nice job! I called the county inspector for you, he said he could make it out on Tuesday for your final. He did ask if your permit was current?? :lol2:

Thanks my wife thinks she's a big time Carpenter now :lol2:

Me too!! As long as I have a nail gun! That darn hammer just bends up all my nails! :lol:

 

[lavacarancher]

Nice job, Sky. My compliments to you and your wife.

 

[skyhightree1]

Wife's have the very best ideas! :nod:
Nice job! I called the county inspector for you, he said he could make it out on Tuesday for your final. He did ask if your permit was current?? :lol2:

Thanks my wife thinks she's a big time Carpenter now :lol2:

Me too!! As long as I have a nail gun! That darn hammer just bends up all my nails! :lol:

We didn't use nails but I tell you she was rolling with my makita drywall screw gun lol She has used the nailgun and got a little too happy with it lol

Nice job, Sky. My compliments to you and your wife.

thank you I just hope she doesn't decide she wants to be a contractor instead of a nurse

 

[slick4591]

Looks really nice, sky! I got in one of those projects one time and didn't have any help. I must have cursed loud enough that a neighbor came up and helped me finish.

 

[skyhightree1]

Looks really nice, sky! I got in one of those projects one time and didn't have any help. I must have cursed loud enough that a neighbor came up and helped me finish.

Thanks slick. Thats funny yea I am so glad I had help it would have taken a long time to try to hold the 2x6's in hangers and nail them lol

 

[Jogeephus]

I hate to have to be the one to break the news to you but ...... its not big enough. Your wife will be telling you this shortly but I just thought I'd prime you. You should have made it twice as big of course that would be large enough either.

In all seriousness though, you might look into getting some of that thick vinyl type decking paint and apply it in a year or so after the wood has had time to cure well. That 5 quarter board is bad to splinter in 10 years and that decking paint can save for some trouble in the future when you might not be as energetic as you are now.

 

[TexasBred]

Looks good Sky. I have no carpentering abilities whatsoever. Guess I could have helped mom being the "gopher".

 

[greybeard]

Looks really nice ! :tiphat:

What foundation did you put your support posts on ?

Thanks if I understand your question dug a foot down put concrete 4 inches in the bottom of the hole let it harden up then put post on top of that bolted the 4x4 to the support beam in the middle then poured concrete around the 4x4 is that what you were asking?

How deep is the frost line in your area?
Is the deck permanently attached to the house in any way?

 

[skyhightree1]

I hate to have to be the one to break the news to you but ...... its not big enough. Your wife will be telling you this shortly but I just thought I'd prime you. You should have made it twice as big of course that would be large enough either.

In all seriousness though, you might look into getting some of that thick vinyl type decking paint and apply it in a year or so after the wood has had time to cure well. That 5 quarter board is bad to splinter in 10 years and that decking paint can save for some trouble in the future when you might not be as energetic as you are now.

I figured sooner or later it would become too small and thanks for the tip jo I appreciate it

Looks good Sky. I have no carpentering abilities whatsoever. Guess I could have helped mom being the "gopher".

Thanks TB I use to frame houses as a teenager 16-19 and learned a lil bit wood working is natural to me metal work is not.

Looks really nice ! :tiphat:

What foundation did you put your support posts on ?

Thanks if I understand your question dug a foot down put concrete 4 inches in the bottom of the hole let it harden up then put post on top of that bolted the 4x4 to the support beam in the middle then poured concrete around the 4x4 is that what you were asking?

How deep is the frost line in your area?
Is the deck permanently attached to the house in any way?

frost line is 18" here and No sir I didn't want it attached to the house.it buts up next to it but no lag bolts or anything attaching it to the house.

 

[melking]

Nice job Sky, I have built many a deck in my time and I will second what I think Jo said. Wait 1 years and the slather the daylights out of the vinyl deck paint. It will last you twice as long.