Designing a backyard deck for my house

5 hours ago

A homeowner designs and builds a backyard deck, detailing the process from planning to execution.
High school drafting and CAD skills were instrumental in creating the required technical drawings for the building permit.
Nine different drawings were produced, including views of the deck's relation to the house, framing, footings, railings, deck surface, and assembly details.
Key design considerations included adhering to local building codes, such as footing depth to prevent frost heave, and using materials like 6x6 posts instead of 4x4s.
The building phase involved digging footings, pouring concrete, framing, and assembling the deck, with challenges like manual labor and equipment rental.
After nine years, the deck remains solid but requires maintenance, such as cleaning and resealing the wood.
The project cost around $6,000, with reflections on the trade-offs between DIY savings and professional efficiency.
The experience provided valuable insights and confidence for future projects, emphasizing the benefits of thorough planning.

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