If you want your deck to last—and, more importantly, be a safe place to spend time with your family and friends—you need to start with a solid foundation and a sturdy frame. Fortunately, there are clear guidelines and time-tested techniques for installing the foundation, posts, beams, ledgers, and joists when framing a deck. Fine Homebuilding has worked with numerous deck-building pros over the years to create concise, detailed explanations of everything you need to consider. Here we’ve collected 12 of our best resources to help you get your dream deck off to a good start.

 

• How-To 1
  

  How to Install and Flash a Deck Ledger, Start to Finish

  Follow the complete deck ledger installation process from prep to fastening to flashing.

• 2
  

  Attach a Deck to Any Wall

  Builder Mike Guertin outlines code-compliant ledger and lateral-tie details for all types of deck builds.

• How-To 3
  

  A Solid Deck Begins with Concrete Piers

  Learn how to size, layout, dig, form, and pour concrete to build a simple but sturdy deck foundation.

• How-To 4
  

  Get Critical Deck Connections Right

  Learn how to safely install ledgers, beams, joists, guardrail posts, and stairs, in this 5-part deck-building video series.

• Design 5
  

  Making Sense of Snow Loads When Building Decks

  The local building official often has the last word, so it’s always good to check how he or she addresses snow and live loads.

• How-To 6
  

  Online Calculators Help Cover Deck-Load Requirements

  Span tables don’t cover your deck load requirements? The American Wood Council has two handy online calculators that can handle a range of specifics.

• How-To 7
  

  Get Your Deck Joists Right

  Learn how to calculate cantilevers and determine simple spans–plus find a series of installation tips for creating robust joist connections, weatherizing, and more.

• How-To 8
  

  Smart Deck-Framing Strategies

  Ledger brackets, flexible flashing, and a joist-hanger jig are a few field-tested tricks for overcoming construction challenges.

• How-To 9
  

  Top 10 Deck-Building Mistakes

  Avoid these common problems, and build a longer-lasting, safer deck.

• How-To 10
  

  Make an Old Deck Safe

  Three days’ work and $600 in materials save this deck from a catastrophic ending.

• How-To 11
  

  How to Install Joist Hangers

  Joist hangers are almost always required when building a deck—here’s how to install them correctly.

• How-To 12
  

  A Homeowner’s Guide to Deck Permits

  A building inspector explains the bureaucracy that gets you from plans to permits.