How To Make Existing Deck Bigger

Don t forget about sun exposure and how much sun or shade your deck extension will get.

How to make existing deck bigger. As it turned out this deck was worth saving. Choose the side of the deck you want to expand from. As an extension from your house it s a way to relish the beautiful outdoors while still enjoying the convenience of being just a step away from your home. Consider space issues and set up your desired lawn furniture inside the mason string area.

According to the north american deck and railing association more than 40 million decks are over 20 years old. Carefully note existing beams joists and posts. You have to wonder how well those decks were constructed before model building codes ramped up minimum standards not to mention the wear and tear nature inflicts on a deck year after year. A deck is one of the most pleasant ways to expand a living space.

Drive in wooden stakes at the corners of the proposed expansion with a hammer to mark the outline. If i need to build a 20 ft wide deck i ll make it about 19 ft. Work along one long side for large expansions or add on to the. That allows for 1 in.

Tie mason s twine from the screws to the. Contractors will use this method to keep the deck level and square but you can use it in the initial planning stage to visualize the placement of the deck. Sketch a planned larger deck on graph paper showing a side or elevation view and an overhead view if you are designing a deck extension. Seaming also works well for solid composite decking which comes in fewer lengths.