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April 2004: Finally we're getting a deck!
We finalized the plans and ordered a load of wood. This is the "before" |
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Saturday, May 9th: Day One!
First we had to drill holes for the posts. It was raining, but it stopped long enough to go ahead with the project. We added a layer of concrete in the bottom of each hole. This has to support the weight of the deck and the roof. |
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Sunday, a light sprinkle.
We couldn't leave the holes open to the weather until the next trip, they'd cave in over the concrete. We had no choice, so we stood the posts upright and braced them in position, backfilling the holes around the posts to lock them in place. |
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Saturday, May 15th: We're back!
We added some 6 mil plastic to cover the (wet) ground. We used a rotary laser to set the deck level, and even with the house. We then tacked the cross beams on the level lines. That sure is a handy tool! Now the real construction can begin! |
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With all of the crossbeams tacked in and verified, we went back and bolted them solid to the posts. |
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Sunday, May 16th:
Our load of pea gravel has arrived. We spread some of that around to level the work area. We decided to put the roof joist up before we installed the deck joist, so we didn't have to work around them. |
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We almost finished the deck joists, but ran out of weekend.
We'll be back soon! |
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Saturday, May 22nd:
We went back early the next Friday and set the rest of the floor joists and blocking in place. Saturday, our composite decking order came in, so we started on that, in the rain! |
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We used hidden fasteners, the "hammer in" style.
They're a pain to use, but make a wonderful deck when you're done.
This was one days worth of decking. Ouch, this is going to be a long weekend, in the rain! |
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It was a tough job, but by the end of that weekend, we had all of the decking done.
By the end of May, we had all of the construction done. Now we're ready for the roofing panels. Notice how the sun is out, now that the work is done! |
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Soon, furniture showed up. |
| And the neighbors stopped by to see what we've been up to. |  |
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Monday, July 5th: We finally got the roof panels on. |
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That's it, we're finished!
Whoa, what about the steps and railings?? Oops! |
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July 10th: Maybe we'll take a break for a while.
Finally, breakfast under the roof. |
| Sunday, July 25th: Some stairs on the side |  |
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And some stairs on the front too |
| A side view of the stairs. |  |
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Monday, August 16th:
We're up for a week of "vacation". With all that free time, we'll get the posts installed. We cut them at home. They bolted right on, that saved us some time. |
| We fabricated railings from the composite deck boards, cutting and routing where needed. |  |
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Around the front |
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And down the side.
The spindles are next! |
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Sunday, September 12th: Almost there!
All of the spindles are in! Next we need to add the top rails!! |
| Another view from the yard. |  |
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And from the side.
I think one more weekend, and we're finished! |
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September 25th:
With the top rail on, I think we have it about finished! |
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Wow, it took all summer to do.
Now it's time to sit back, and enjoy the fall weather. |
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Stop by for a cold beverage if you're in the area!
I wonder what project is next? |
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Finished! That's it!
Thanks to everyone for the help! |
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The story of how it happened is coming soon! |
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