What Is a Deck?

Deck is a flat wooden area next to a house, where people can sit and relax. It is a great place for barbecues and parties.

Creating a deck requires a lot of thinking. The right structure will determine how successfully your deck tells its story.

Creating an effective deck is essential for a successful pitch. It is a critical tool for communicating with potential investors.

Attached decks

Most decks are attached to a house or structure using ledger boards, which provide stability and structural support. Traditional decks often require permits and strict adherence to building codes since they’re an extension of the home. This can be more complex than constructing a freestanding deck, but it offers greater stability and may increase the value of your property.

Rim joists are horizontal pieces that run parallel to and support deck joists, providing strength and rigidity to the entire structure. They also prevent the deck from pulling away from a wall or post, which can cause damage over time. Nails alone are not sufficient for this purpose; instead, use approved bolts.

Deck flashing helps protect the important connection between the deck and house from moisture, which can cause rot or even structural failure.

Freestanding decks

Designed to be separate from your home, freestanding decks allow you to soak up the sun and take advantage of scenic views. You can also build a deck to serve as a private nook for reading or entertaining guests.

Whether it’s a freestanding or attached, your deck will require strong support. Form a sturdy foundation by digging postholes and layering them with protective materials. This includes sheeting to discourage weed growth, rocks to distribute weight, and concrete for footings.

A structural engineer will provide plans for a safe deck. This is important, especially if you’re planning to have a lot of people moving around and dancing on the deck. This type of movement can lead to deck collapse, but is less likely if diagonal bracing is used.

Layout

The layout of your deck should be determined by its purpose. If you’re pitching new ideas to a client, for example, the structure and visual tone of your deck will be different than if you’re simply updating colleagues on a project’s status.

The intuitive editor lets you make changes that seamlessly adjust to the overall design. This feature increases engagement and enables you to showcase your key metrics without detracting from the overall design of the deck. For example, the running numbers slide offers an easy-to-understand presentation of your start-up’s roadmap, while data visualization elements help investors understand key metrics in an instant. This helps you make a strong impression on your audience and ensures that they retain your key messages. You can also use a calendar integration to set follow-up meetings directly from the deck.

Materials

Decks can be built out of various materials, depending on the layout and desired look. For example, wood decks can be made out of a variety of types of lumber, from low-cost pressure treated pine to cedar and cypress that offer natural colors and resistance to rot and insects.

Ledger boards, which connect posts to the house, are usually made of pressure-treated lumber to protect against moisture damage. Structural lag screws are used to fasten the ledger board to the solid house band, and framing nails may be driven into place in between.

Piers, which are spaced around the perimeter of the deck to provide stability, can be made out of concrete or wood. Generally, concrete piers are placed deeper in the ground than wood ones to accommodate freezing temperatures.

Safety

Decks bring indoor living outdoors, making them a hub for grilling, relaxing and playing with pets and kids. However, they’re also a common source of injuries. Collapses and other failures of decks, porches and balconies account for an average of 45,000 injuries each year.

Ensure that your deck’s railings meet local and state building codes. Make sure railing posts aren’t too close together and that balusters are far enough apart to prevent children or pets from squeezing between them.

Look for any signs of rot or water damage, especially near the ledger board (where the deck attaches to your house). Check if it’s firmly attached and use a screwdriver to probe the wood – if you can easily push into it, the structure is weak and may collapse.

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