New Deck, Question

[EddieWalker]

Doug,

I build them at one inch below floor height.

You don't want the deck height to be even with the floor height because of wind and moisiture. One inch gives you a even feel while walking, but is enough to stop 90% of what mother nature will through at you.

How are you decking it? If you are using Preasure Treated wood, be sure to buy it at least a month before you need it. It will shrink on you and sometimes it will shrink ALLOT!!!

If you are using one of the new, plastic type materials, be sure to have your beams on 12 inch centers. They just don't seem to have enough strength when set on 16 inch centers.

Never nail a deck. None of it. Screws and bolts are the only way to make sure it stays tight and solid over the years.

Eddie

 

[EdC]

The original deck on our house was flush and when it snowed here we had problems with the snowdrift going up against the wall of the house. I put in french doors and built a new deck that is 3.5 inches below the door sill. That has worked like a charm for 3 years now. Edited...again because my typing fingers are saying different things than my brain.

 

[TMcD_in_MI]

I'm with EdC. I built my deck maybe 1 inch lower than the inside floor, and with a swinging screen door, once we get some snow, it's hard to get outside to shovel the snow away. I have to walk around the house. If I were to do it again, I'd make it at least 6 inches or so lower.

Tom

 

[firemanpat2910]

that is the great thing about this site, I would have never thought of snow. Down here 1" is what is most common. with a slightly bigger gap between the house and the first row of deck boards, so you can sweep the sand through it , How much spacing do you northern guys keep between planks? The way I learned it down here is a 16penny nail between each end.