A deck is a great place to hang out and entertain friends, but it’s also a great way to increase the resale value of your home. Whether you want it as a leisure spot or an investment, adding a deck can be both fun and profitable. However, I live in the city and don’t have anywhere to attach my deck permanently since my backyard is concrete. Luckily for me, there are removable decks. These are installed with brackets that allow you to remove them from the wall when not in use. In this article, I’ll teach you how easy it is to make one for yourself so that you too can enjoy summer sunsets or cookouts without having anything permanently attached to your house.
Step One: Place Your Corner Posts.
The first step is to set your corner posts. The posts should be set in concrete, which means you’ll need a posthole digger or some other implement for getting them down into the ground. As with all aspects of building a deck, it’s important to make sure that your postholes are deep enough; they should be at least four feet deep and six inches below the surface of the ground (this will keep them from being easily damaged by lawnmowers and other yard equipment).
You’ll also want to make sure that you have plenty of space between these posts—at least eight feet apart, if not more.
The corner posts are your anchor for the deck.
The corner posts are your anchor for the deck. They will hold up all of the weight, so they need to be properly installed and anchored down.
The correct way to install a deck post is by digging a hole (at least 4 feet deep) that is six inches wider than the length of your post, then filling in around it with concrete. If you have access to power tools, you can use them instead; otherwise, you’ll have to dig out the dirt manually using shovels or laboriously pickaxe your way through hard clay soil with nothing but muscles and determination! Once you have reached a depth of six inches below ground level, pack down some sand in order for there not be too much friction between where your footing meets earth surface when walking up stairs etc., as well as adding some drainage capacity if rain should come along while building deck during winter months before springtime arrives again each year – which happens often enough here where weather patterns tend toward extremes like hot summers followed by snow storms during fall months.
Step Two: Lay The Deck Foundation.
Framing the foundation is the second step in building a removable deck. You’ll need to use a framing square and a level to frame your foundation so it sits level with the ground. If you don’t do this, your deck could end up crooked or slanted, which will cause other problems down the line.
First, mark where each joist will sit by placing your level across the surface of your foundation and marking where each joist would be placed on top of that point. Then use your framing square to measure perpendicular lines from these points at four-foot intervals (or however far apart you want). Place one end of each straight edge against this second measurement and then mark along both sides again so there are now two equal distance markings for every joist placement point between the outside edges and inside edges of your deck frame itself.
You’ll need to measure and frame a foundation before you lay the boards.
Before you can start laying boards, you’ll need to frame a foundation for the deck. This foundation is what will support all the weight of your deck. The size and shape of the foundation will depend on how big your deck is and where it needs to sit on your property.
Here are some things to consider when framing a foundation:
- How level does it need to be? Measure from one end of the house down to where you want your deck to sit—then from there along both sides of each side of the house, making sure that everything lines up perfectly. You may have to remove some dirt or mud in order for this be possible.* Do I need any extra support posts? If so, they should be placed every 10 feet or so along either side of where your new deck will go. How deep do I need my footings (structural supports)? Use materials like concrete blocks, pressure-treated wood planks or other strong materials that can support all that weight.
Step Three: Lay The Boards Down
- Use a level and framing square to make sure the decking is level before you nail it in place.
- Nail each board to its adjacent boards. If you have to cut them, use an angle grinder with a masonry blade (the same one you used for your footings) or else they’ll crack as you’re trying to hammer them into place.
- Attach the first row of decking at ground level then raise it up slightly as you go along so that there’s space between the top of your board and any doorways or windows that are below it on your house’s foundation. This will prevent water from pooling around those openings and causing rot later on down the road when someone opens that door or window while it rains outside
You want the wood to be as level and consistent as possible, so you’ll need to use a leveling tool.
- Before you begin to lay down the deck boards, it’s important to make sure that your project is level and straight. A good way to do this is by using a leveling tool. The leveling tool is used by placing it on top of one board and then checking another board against it.
- If you want your deck to be square, then use a square framing ruler when laying out the stringers. First position a bottom corner of the frame against one end of the joist (just below where it will meet up with the ledger board), holding it securely in place at an angle so that its base sits flush against both surfaces (see image). Next move around until you have found where all four sides meet up; mark these points with pencil dots or lines so they can be easily identified later on as we build our structure together.
- Finally make sure that everything else is level too: from top rail down through posts and even down into footing material if possible–this way nothing can topple over when people start walking around above their heads.
Step Four: Stain Or Paint Your Deck And Let Dry
Once you’ve finished staining or painting your deck, it’s time to let it dry. Use caution when working with the stain or paint—follow the instructions on the can for best results. It’s important to use a paintbrush and not a roller when applying the stain or paint so that you don’t get drips on the bottom portion of your deck boards. Use drop cloths around all edges of your deck while painting and have an extra set of hands handy in case they need to help hold it down during application or cleanup.
A paint tray is also recommended so that if any drips occur during application, they can be easily wiped away without damaging other areas of your decking material. A paint roller will help cover more area per stroke than using a brush would allow for and will make sure there are no bare spots left unpainted by accident before proceeding onto another section need attention after application is complete
Step Five: Attach The Deck To Your House.
Step Five: Attach The Deck To Your House
This part is extremely important. You need to make sure that the deck is level with the house, or else it will be a hazard for anyone who uses it. Use a level to ensure that both rails are at the same height and then drill screws through each post and into your house using a screwdriver. Position a screw every two inches so that your deck will stay secure while still being easy to remove if necessary.
Be careful that you are not hanging on too strong or you may damage the gutter of your house when removing it.
When removing your deck, be careful that you are not hanging on too strong or you may damage the gutter of your house when removing it. If the deck is too heavy, it can damage the gutter of your house. You can also damage your house if you pull too hard. To avoid this, use a rope to help remove the deck
A removable deck can be a great addition to your home but don’t forget safety first.
Removable decks are an excellent way to enhance your home, but you should take care when installing one. Here are some safety tips:
- Wear safety glasses, gloves and a hard hat (or safety helmet) at all times.
- Use ear protection whenever possible to avoid hearing damage caused by the loud noises of hammering and sawing.
- Dust masks can also help reduce the dust created during construction projects such as installing a removable deck, so wear one if necessary.
- Respirators will protect against dangerous fumes generated during projects like building a removable deck, so be sure that you have one on hand in case the need arises.
- Final words
We recommend that you consult with a licensed contractor to ensure your deck is built properly and safely. Having a licensed contractor will also help save money on the cost of materials and labor.