Copyright (c) 2013 FineHomebuilding.com en-us Fine Homebuilding - "Build A Deck - Fine Homebuilding" blog entries http://www.finehomebuilding.com/blog/build-a-deck Tue, 21 May 2013 10:01:24 -0500 Fine Homebuilding - "Build A Deck - Fine Homebuilding" blog entries http://www.finehomebuilding.com/assets/images/cs_logo_sm.jpg http://www.finehomebuilding.com/blog/build-a-deck Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:09:42 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/28210/comprehensive-list-of-synthetic-decking-manufacturers http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/28210/comprehensive-list-of-synthetic-decking-manufacturers Posted by AndyEngel
List of composite, capped, and PVC decking manufacturers ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/28210/comprehensive-list-of-synthetic-decking-manufacturers Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:47:18 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25800/future-deck-codes-round-the-corner-in-2015 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25800/future-deck-codes-round-the-corner-in-2015 Posted by MikeGuertin
The IRC ramped up deck codes in 2009 and 2012. See what may be coming around the corner in 2015 ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25800/future-deck-codes-round-the-corner-in-2015 Wed, 17 Oct 2012 07:40:00 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25467/deck-ledger-bolting-patterns-limit-house-to-deck-level-drop http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25467/deck-ledger-bolting-patterns-limit-house-to-deck-level-drop Posted by MikeGuertin
The 2012 International Residential Code (IRC) includes a few new provisions that limit where you position the deck ledger in relation to the main floor of the house. Those of us in snow-prone regions who like to drop a deck one step from the inside floor level will be challenged to continue doing so. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/25467/deck-ledger-bolting-patterns-limit-house-to-deck-level-drop Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:05:15 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/23306/may-is-deck-safety-month-check-your-deck http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/23306/may-is-deck-safety-month-check-your-deck Posted by MikeGuertin
Decks on the verge of falling down generally don’t look any different than safe decks. You have to take a close look in order to see if problems exist. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/23306/may-is-deck-safety-month-check-your-deck Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:26:59 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22290/video-series-preview-how-to-build-deck-and-shed-foundations http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22290/video-series-preview-how-to-build-deck-and-shed-foundations Posted by FHBdotcom
Learn reliable, time-saving techniques for getting your deck or shed project on level, solid ground in these free video episodes on building pier and block foundations ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22290/video-series-preview-how-to-build-deck-and-shed-foundations Thu, 29 Mar 2012 04:23:25 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22783/mounting-deck-ledgers-to-floor-trusses http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22783/mounting-deck-ledgers-to-floor-trusses Posted by MikeGuertin
You can't just bolt or screw a deck ledger to open web floor trusses. Follow either the fabricator's detail or one from the SBCA. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22783/mounting-deck-ledgers-to-floor-trusses Thu, 29 Mar 2012 03:54:52 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22779/mounting-deck-ledgers-to-engineered-floor-systems http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22779/mounting-deck-ledgers-to-engineered-floor-systems Posted by MikeGuertin
The 2012 IRC ledger attachment schedule only works on house rim joists made of solid-sawn lumber or Douglas fir laminated veneer lumber (LVL). You can’t follow it when mounting deck ledgers to rim joists made of engineered wood products. Instead we have to look to other resources to ensure these connections are made safely. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22779/mounting-deck-ledgers-to-engineered-floor-systems Thu, 29 Mar 2012 02:57:54 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22775/freestanding-decks-solve-ledger-attachment-challenges http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22775/freestanding-decks-solve-ledger-attachment-challenges Posted by MikeGuertin
Decks were not in the plans when many homes were built, so the framing was not designed to permit easy deck ledger attachment. Many homes framed with wood I-joists and floor trusses, for example... ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22775/freestanding-decks-solve-ledger-attachment-challenges Mon, 12 Mar 2012 07:59:48 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22494/materials-review-everflashing-makes-deck-to-wall-transitions-more-durable-and-attractive http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22494/materials-review-everflashing-makes-deck-to-wall-transitions-more-durable-and-attractive Posted by MikeGuertin
Premium deck ledger flashing is well designed and durable ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/22494/materials-review-everflashing-makes-deck-to-wall-transitions-more-durable-and-attractive Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:10:44 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17575/code-compliant-guardrail-post-connections http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17575/code-compliant-guardrail-post-connections Posted by MikeGuertin
FHB's 'Start Your Railings Right' spring 2010 article covered the basics of securely mounting deck guardrail posts to the frame. Now an article in Professional Deck Builder magazine goes the next step - and fills in the blanks along the way. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17575/code-compliant-guardrail-post-connections Mon, 16 May 2011 12:48:02 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17276/attach-a-deck-ledger-mounting-system http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17276/attach-a-deck-ledger-mounting-system Posted by MikeGuertin
Attach-A-Deck spaces the ledger off the wall even on existing houses without removing the siding. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/17276/attach-a-deck-ledger-mounting-system Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:40:00 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/13062/hidfast-hidden-decking-fasteners-fast http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/13062/hidfast-hidden-decking-fasteners-fast Posted by MikeGuertin
Decking is essentially flooring so why not install it using a pneumatic flooring nailer? You can now with the HIDfast decking tool and fasteners. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/13062/hidfast-hidden-decking-fasteners-fast Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:29:31 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16216/the-eliminator http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16216/the-eliminator Posted by MikeGuertin
The Eliminator hidden fastener installation tool comes in two versions. One model works exclusively on the Mantis hidden decking fastener and the other works on several fasteners. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16216/the-eliminator Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:14:29 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16213/tiger-claw-installation-gun http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16213/tiger-claw-installation-gun Posted by MikeGuertin
Well known for their hidden decking fasteners, Tiger Claw offers the Tiger Claw Installation Gun. It's a metal connector style nailer with a specially designed nosepiece that grooved board fasteners clip onto. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16213/tiger-claw-installation-gun Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:10:00 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16211/automatic-speed http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16211/automatic-speed Posted by MikeGuertin
I’ve just about given up installing hidden fasteners by hand. Now I use a semi-automatic or automatic pneumatic tools to mount grooved decking fasteners or specially designed fasteners. It’s a fast-changing part of the deck business and one to keep your eyes on. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16211/automatic-speed Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:03:06 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16072/recommended-fasteners-for-decking http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16072/recommended-fasteners-for-decking Posted by MikeGuertin
So what hidden fastener works with your decking? Dig deep into decking manufacturer installation instructions and you may find the answer. Or you can check this list. We checked the recommendations of over 30 decking brands and here's what we found. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16072/recommended-fasteners-for-decking Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:53:37 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16069/deck-mates-decking-specific-fasteners http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16069/deck-mates-decking-specific-fasteners Posted by MikeGuertin
Many decking companies offer unique or branded hidden fasteners. Here's a list of what to look for. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/16069/deck-mates-decking-specific-fasteners Sun, 12 Dec 2010 13:41:56 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/14730/deck-ledger-bolting-by-the-code http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/14730/deck-ledger-bolting-by-the-code Posted by MikeGuertin
Rule-of-thumb deck ledger fastening is out and the code is in. Now the International Residential Code 2009 has a table to follow for bolting and lag screwing. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/14730/deck-ledger-bolting-by-the-code Thu, 14 Oct 2010 10:03:07 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/13931/thrulok-screw-in-bolts-replace-12-in-through-bolts http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/13931/thrulok-screw-in-bolts-replace-12-in-through-bolts Posted by MikeGuertin
FastenMaster’s new ThruLok is a screw-in bolt that replaces ½ in. through-bolts used to mount deck posts to beams and guardrail posts to the deck frame. ThruLoks will save time and $$ - I think deck builders will warm up to ThruLoks quickly. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/13931/thrulok-screw-in-bolts-replace-12-in-through-bolts Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:10:00 -0500 http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/9188/power-hand-pulls-and-pushes-deck-boards-together http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/9188/power-hand-pulls-and-pushes-deck-boards-together Posted by MikeGuertin
The Power Hand is a specialized bar clamp for installing deck boards. ]]> http://www.finehomebuilding.com/item/9188/power-hand-pulls-and-pushes-deck-boards-together