Cedar Deck Upgrade – Details matter for safety and longevity

Project Brief.

Cedar Deck Assessment

The existing cedar deck was failing and had some critical details wrong starting with the ledger attachment.  This is a critical connection supporting half the weight (or load) of the deck and anything on it.  This was spotted immediately by Chris on the first visit with the clients, during the consultation.  Pointing this out Chris advised what else could be impacted by this being wrong and that the rest of the build should be in question.  Continuing on he found the deck had no blocking or cross bracing.  He also pointed out the deck was to high, not allowing a step down from the door.

The Deck Build

Without question the existing deck needed to come down and a entirely new one constructed.  We re-built the deck to match the footprint while upgrading all the structural components and of course making a proper ledger connection.

• Footings – Minimum 42″ below grade (ground). This is your most important aspect for support taking all the load of the deck and the people on it.

  Joist – not attached to a cantilever but sitting on the foundation or attached to a ledger plate (beam) bolted directly onto the foundation or house wall directly over the foundation.

  Flashing – to manage water and prevent infiltration, protecting your home.

  Blocking – to stiffen the deck and tie it together as one structure

  Cross Bracing – to prevent lateral (side to side) movement. This force is taking place whenever you you walk and stop or walk and change direction. It is greater should you or your children be running or dancing. If not managed this force will wear on the deck structure until a point of failure.

The Finish

Finished with western red (knotty) cedar for a rich and wonderful organic look.  For the rails we jumped up to 6″ x 6″ post that we put a chamfer edge on, a subtle but beautiful detail.  Then we milled the profile for the top and bottom rails.  This project included lattice that really dressed this deck up and provided a discrete storage area.