Planning
Plan your deck project well ahead and make sure all materials for construction and finishing are on hand. Carefully lay out your deck area using string to be sure that it is square and level. Use 3 - 4 - 5 squaring triangle method as shown on the construction diagrams.
Preparation
Make sure your site is as level as possible. Remove all organic material from the area. If deck is within 18" of ground, a vapour barrier is required
Attaching the Ledger
Position the ledger level at 2 1/2 inches below the threshold. You may have to remove siding to provide a flat, square surface. Take care to plan the location of fasteners and lags so they do not interfere with joist hangers. See the construction diagrams.
Posts and Footings
Review the joist/beam spacing and carefully locate the footing holes before digging. Different regions have different requirements for depth: check your local building codes. It is acceptable to use precast pier blocks and metal post connectors as described in the construction diagrams if low elevation construction. Consider burying posts for higher elevation decks.
Posts and Beams
Use a level on a string to find correct beam height to your posts. Cross check this height with a diagonal string before trimming your post. Use metal post-beam connectors if using a single beam as in beam detail D. Be sure to have adequate slope for drainage (approximately 1 inch of slope for 10 feet).
Joists
Before attaching to ledger, sight down each joist for crown and place the crown up. Then use metal joist hanger at ledger and toe nail to beam with galvanized box nails. Be sure to maintain uniform spacing (16"). Trim joists to length, keeping in mind the width of plywood and the width of the DEK-MASTER vinyl.
T & G Plywood Decking
Exterior Grade, good one side, 58" or 34" T&G sanded one side plywood is strongly recommended. To fasten the plywood, use treated deck screws and/or galvanized nails. Angled nails provide better holding power. Set screw or nail heads just below surface. Nail or screw sheets every 6" around perimeter and 12" spacing on center joists. Stagger plywood sheets, leaving 18" expansion joints.
Flashing and Cantstrip
A standard 2" x 1" galvanized non-return flashing should be installed around the outside deck perimeter. Install cantstrip 3/16" away from siding. Use galvanized ring nails. Nail cantstrip every 12" and flashing every 6".
Measuring
DEK-MASTER rolled vinyl sheet comes in 74" width. As with carpeting, fewer seams or overlaps result in a better appearance. To determine the correct amount of vinyl sheeting required allow for:
1. Extra 1"- 2" down the flashing
2. Extra 1/2"- 1" up the cantstrip
3. Extra 1/2"- 1" for each overlap if required
Overlaps may be run parallel or perpendicular to the wall with equal success. It is up to the consumer to sketch accurately and measure the deck in order to decide on the most economical way to lay the DEK-MASTER vinyl sheet.
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