Well, since I want to build a deck (I think, maybe) beside my new pool I went out and bought several books on "Deck Building".
Hmmm. It seems I don't know so much. Both books (Complete Deck Book: by Southern Living & The Complete Guide to Decks: by Black & Decker) dispelled with my very much preconceived notions/ideas about how to build a deck.
First, they both recommend installation of concrete piers (or pilings) so NO WOOD TOUCHES THE GROUND!! Interesting, nicht whar? I thought you put the wood 4x4 into the ground and anchored it in concrete. Not so.
Wood is NOT in direct contact with the ground. Here in Florida, that's probably not far enough away to completely discourage the termites, but it's much better that "wood in direct ground contact".
Anyway, if you're going to install a deck, get a book on deck installation. Both of these I mention are quite good. Both mention the same/similar construction techniques and both are good and probably pretty much equivalent.
Both books mention that pressure treated wood is not very "pretty", it's grey/green, nor easy to work with. Seems it's kind of heavy and filled with wood preservatives. Sort of "gooey" and a bit hard to saw.
One thing I learned, if you want to avoid splitting the wood, blunt the nail. I know this seems stupid, but it's a known fact among the good carpenters that if you blunt the nail the wood will not split. (Free advice, I'm not joking!)
Regards.
P.S.-Both books have some deck plans to KILL FOR!!! I'm kinda jealous. Mine will never look like these: sloped, terraced, and with magnificent stair steps, etc. My yard is flat as a board. No terracing here. |
