Deck Designs | Custom Decks | Building a Deck Cheaply

Building a Deck Cheaply

Building a deck yourself, is no easy task, but in the long run can save you a lot of money. What are some of the ways you can build a deck cheaply? Saving money right now is one of the most important things on people’s minds today. When building a deck cheaply, not only do you need to build the deck your self, but you must also design the deck, pick up all the materials, measure so that you know how much materials you need to buy, and you’ll definitely be doing a lot of digging and concrete mixing.

Depending on where you live in the United States, having someone else build your deck for you, may be more expensive in some areas and cheaper and others. In Texas the average going rate for a deck is about 8 Dollars per Sq. foot, plus materials. That is for an ordinary deck, nothing too fancy or extravagant, and with minimal customization. Having a deck built here in Texas can easily reach upwards of 10 Dollars per Sq. foot if you’re wanting to build a very custom deck. So it’s obvious that you can save yourself a lot of money if you build it yourself.

In most cases when building a deck yourself, you should keep in mind that you want to have as little amount of seams as possible. In order to do this you need to buy the longest 5/4 decking as possible, or if you prefer to use two by sixes you will need to buy the longest ones possible as well. Most hardware stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot, carry the 5/4 decking and the two by sixes in a 20 foot length. You will need at least a 16 foot trailer to carry them safely.

It is also a good idea to use a specific deck screw when building a deck cheaply, these screws are made specifically for treated lumber. These screws are not cheap and will run you about $100 per bucket. If possible by deck screws that require a square head bit.  Screws that require a square bit are extremely easy to install, they do not strip out as easily as a Philips or Flathead screw, and are easy to back out of the woodif you need to take out a screw. Also keep in mind that you want to countersink your screws into your decking material about 1/8 of an inch past the surface, this will ensure that your decking material is pulled tightly to your joist supports underneath, and will keep you from stubbing your toe or getting yourself cut on a screw that is sticking up.

Not only would you  have to pick up lumber and screws, but you’ll need to pick up about a bag of concrete per post that you will need to install in the ground. A good rule of thumb is to place your support post in the ground about 7 feet apart in all directions. Depending on the size of the deck and if it is one or two stories, you can usually get away with 4×4 post, but is a good idea to use 6 x 6 posts. Your inner joist depending on your runs can be as little as two by sixes, but for a nice finish to look it is suggested that you use a 2 x 12 for our edging. You will run your decking material whether it your 5 quart decking or your 2 x 6 decking flush to your 2 x 12’s, and then trim them out with a 2 x 4.

Building a deck cheaper is not always easy or that’s for sure. When you want to save money by building a deck cheaper is a good idea to have a couple of friends who can help on the weekends. Do not expect to be done in a day or two a lesser deck is extremely small. If you’re having trouble coming up with good deck designs in your head, you can always find many pictures of wooden decks, and pictures of composite decks online, on TV, and in magazines.

Filed Under Build it Yourself |

Tagged With

Comments

• Blogroll

  • Wood Deck Pictures

• Recent Posts

  • Where to find Deck Designs
  • Building a Deck Cheaply
  • Design a Deck

• Deck Ideas

Tags