For a cheap DIY deck, this article contains blueprints and instructions. Complete deck plans for construction designs outline areas where costs might be reduced without sacrificing quality or safety. With the help of blueprints designed to save money and make building easy, you may create a gorgeous, long-lasting deck.
These blueprints simplify the complicated process of constructing a deck into a handful of simple stages. This deck is readily expandable or contractable.
How to Build a DIY Cheap Deck: Step-by-Step Instructions
With these 12 × 12 deck designs, you can learn how to construct a low-cost DIY deck. Plan layouts from footings and posts to laying the decking and installing the stairs are included in the start-to-finish instructions. The cost-cutting advice in this article will lower your material costs.
Overview
The most common outdoor construction project is a deck. By including a room designed particularly for unwinding and pleasure, they expand their living area. A deck is a terrific location to read outside or just relax and take in the sunset.
A DIY deck reduces the overall cost by at least 50% by saving on labor and material markup. Here’s how to construct a cheap DIY deck.
Materials
Determine the cost of your deck first. Instead of using cedar or redwood, use pressure-treated timber, stain it to modify the color, or let it to deteriorate until it takes on a silver-gray hue. Some fasteners, such as nails and screws, are designed particularly for pressure-treated wood. All fasteners, including bolts and lag bolts, need to be galvanized.
Register Board
A ledger board joist, which is erected before the footings and posts, is used to connect the deck to the house. The ledger serves as the foundation for the remaining deck arrangement. Using washers and 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch lag bolts, fasten the ledger to the house. Install a piece of “Z” flashing beneath the siding of the house so that it rests on top of the ledger.
Posts and Footings
Using the ledger as a guide, lay out your footings using mason lines and stakes. To add gravel to the bottom for drainage, dig the footings 6 inches deeper than what the local rules need, with a diameter of 10 inches.
Create your own concrete to save paying for premix. Place a J-bolt in the concrete for adjustable post brackets when you pour the footings.
Posts, beams, and the remainder of the framework are all supported by the footings. To keep the posts level and place them appropriately, use your mason lines and a post level.
Framing
DIY Cheap Deck Plans 12 x 12 1
- Installing a ledger board in height
- Layout of the footing and posts
- Continuity Beams
- Frames for joists
DIY inexpensive deck plans 12 x 12
- Integrating Railing Posts
- deck construction
- Railing Buildings
Beams
For maximum strength and to support the remaining joist structure, beams are placed on top of posts. The post to beam brackets are used to fasten beams to posts. Most beams are made of two joist segments that have been fastened together.
Joists
On one side, the end joist and joists join to the ledger. The end support beam is placed on top of the end joist. Joist hangers on both ends are used to join them together after spacing them every 16 inches on center.
Railroad ties
Plan the railing posts such that they are spaced equally apart so that the deck’s baluster spacing is consistent. Using 1/2-inch carriage bolts through the end and rim joists, attach railing posts in the corners. Two bolts through the rim joist are used for middle posts. Depending on the height of the deck, railings must be 36 or 42 inches high.
Decking
In order to reduce the cost of the deck boards, 2-by-6 timber is used for the decking. Over the joists, the decking is parallel to the ledger board. You must cut out the planks to fit around the posts and space them 1/8 of an inch apart. 2 1/2-inch deck screws are used to fasten the decking to the joists.
Railings
The posts, top and bottom rails made of 2 by 4s, and balusters make up a railing. A cap rail is an optional addition for a more polished appearance. Cut the top and bottom rails to fit between the posts, then use 2-by-4 brackets to attach them. Install 2-by-2 balusters on the rails at regular intervals.
Stairs
A DIY low-cost deck project doesn’t have to be complicated by stairs with railings and handrails. The number of steps and step risers should be measured and calculated. Install the stringers using stringer hangers or 2-by-12 joist hangers after marking and cutting them.
To complete, include posts, stair treads, railings, and handrails. Read about deck stair dimensions, configurations, and designs with handrails and railings.
