How to build a deck | Problems you will run into and how to fix them

[@cyruspersia3436]

Thank you for the tip. I did a deck for a friend, using 2X8, what I did, I locked the table-saw at 7.5, and passed all of them through the machine, I helped me a lot and everything went smooth.

[@IM-nb8rk]

Scattered tips like this is my best way to take information. Problems don't come up on que in order, they are scattered! Lol, great vid

[@PerkinsBuilderBrothers]

Thanks.., much appreciated

[@ryanbohling7699]

Was sitting outside trying to figure out how you professionals are able to laminate such perfect beams. I was stressing out as I was imagining how many problems it was going to cause when I start putting on the deck boards. Did a quick search and in just a few minutes, you've saved my project. Headed out to find a planer. Thank you!!!

[@davebenson1021]

Great job. Built my deck on the house 37 years ago. Two levels. Time to update and replace. Nothing lasts forever but very pleased with my first. Time to refresh my mind and lumber. Thank you. Down to earth !!

[@Quadflash]

You Perkins brothers are gonna get the Nobel Prize for good, pragmatic solutions. Thanks!!

[@richshyrigh1331]

Currently working on fixing any older deck. Your tips saved tons of time and frustration. Thanks for taking your time to share with us all.

[@bradevans7107]

I agree....the 9-3/16" 2X10 is the obvious culprit. And layout board is an awesome tip. Making sure all ¢enters are on.

[@gregpopp4184]

Working on fixing an older deck. The power planer is like some kind of gift from God! I never knew they even existed! Thank you for posting this!

[@mikebez32420]

Damn... thanks for the tip. My next tool purchase will be one of those power planers... I didn't even know those existed until just now.. and you are 100% correct, building a deck can be so frustrating at times that you just want to quit.. take it easy and thanks for the tips!!

[@m.l.miller219]

Great "last second idea". Not "too scattered" for me. Much appreciated, and very helpful!

[@markm2302]

Thank you for mentioning about not installing hangers first! I so would have done that.

[@Drumminsince89]

Building a 12 x 12 deck in the backyard, and I found this video extremely helpful. Definitely will be referencing this video during the build.

[@toydrone]

You have no idea how much I needed to see this. Thank you.

[@driveman6490]

1/2" width difference? Time to change lumber suppliers.

[@alexclaassen664]

Look thru 20 treated boards and you’ll have at least 5 different widths no matter what supplier you go thru

[@JAYG79.]

@@alexclaassen664 100%. Pt is the worst for consistency.

[@jeff_9074]

@@JAYG79. right, I had pressure treated wood delivered from Menards for my deck and they were varying widths.. made things difficult for ledger and joists, but specifically one of the 14ft 2x10 was just horrible.. smaller in width than the other, and curved at one end.. but it's not easy to exchange a 14ft board, so I just had to deal with it.

[@jesseppers]

@@jeff_9074 That's why I rented a U-Haul, so I could pick out my own lumber. I was nervous about what the warehouse workers would load for my delivery. U-Haul cost about the same as delivery. (I only live 2.5 miles from my local Menards.)

[@Soandsoguy]

Awesome video. Doesn't matter to me that it's a little scattered, because it was still very clear and to the point. I can always rely on you guys having great tips!. Thank you!

[@brians5539]

So many tips, this channel is awesome!

[@BYOTools]

Some great tips and uneven lumber is driving me crazy these days especially for the price haha. Thanks for the tips and keep up the great work.

[@tonytorres4245]

Thank you for being the most honest contractor I've seen in a long time. You were honest about all your mistakes in an effort to educate your viewers and maintain your business integrity. I'd love to work with you and hire you as my contractor.

[@MatiasV_PNW]

Had no idea you guys had done a deck tips video back in the day.. I was scratching my head on my 30x30 deck reno/update... thanks for the video tips!

[@jaydwgtre0]

Absolutely great video 👍.

[@ericturner2477]

Just started framing my deck (never built one before). I've been screwing an L70Z on top at the end to rest it on the ledger board while I connect everything. Super simple, and it's coming out perfectly flush at the ledger board. The layout board is going to come in super handy. I'm just a few joists in, and can already tell the middle of my 10 ft span is all over the place.

[@realfairtrade]

I'm fixing an old covered porch that had a layer of plywood, tapered boards, and then a layer of particle board with carpet glued to it. It has been a nightmare, each time I complete a task I have 5 new issues to fix 🥴 You just gave me a whole bunch of ideas in this scattered video, thank you!

[@bryandamkaer3646]

On the board width... When I built my deck , I got in a habit of double checking even/flush boards before nailing together. Great video .. thanks

[@mikeadams2252]

Good info, man some of the lumber that comes to our jobs is ridiculous. Nothing you don’t already know 😊

[@carlw]

THANKS!!!! I thought it was me installing incorrectly. I was going to use a belt sander but power planner is way more fun. Thanks for the tip!!

[@dericktrx7573]

Thanks for the video! Great idea’s glad you wanted to share.

[@LegendaryGoetz]

I like that layout board. Simple concepts to make certain things run smoother and faster

[@noconz0727]

I build decks full time. We did one recently that had to be super flat for paver installation on top of the joists. We ended up ripping all joists to 9". Tedious but great end result.

[@mansardmanor3869]

Another fantastic method for the desired results

[@jeewilly321]

Can also set 5-6 at a time on saw horses and plane them before installing. Just find the thinnest board and plane to that thickness.

[@CMCraftsman]

That’s what I do. I track saw all the joists

[@toolman101476]

It’s nice to watch a video of a real carpenter that isn’t trying to cover all the bases so no keyboard warrior will blast them because they didn’t use every tool a certain way or wear every safety device known to man. The way you showed your work is real life how we do it... especially the planner lol. Nice video man! Very entertaining!

[@coldbore1444]

Thank you for this video. It will really help me when I replace my deck. I downloaded my local deck code online and I am going to follow it. But the tips that your videos show will save me so much time and frustration!

[@milanroets9697]

Last year I watched a video from Fine Homebuilding where they recommend tacking the joists before putting hangers on. It saves a lot of frustration. They also recommend putting the tallest joist in the middle and shortest on the outside so the rain would drain off easier. Great Video, definitely smashing the like button 👍

[@jmoe2060]

Great tips, especially tacking the joists up and then installing the hanger. That one should be a no-brainer. Perhaps that's why I didn't think of it myself :) Thanks for the excellent video!

[@HeirloomBuilders]

Good tips. Nice trick with the rebar. Leverage is key!

[@mansardmanor3869]

Flush up the top edges before nailing, let the bottoms run wild. Guess nobody is thinking. (Not a dig) just saying, thinking out of box may increase productivity. Not trying to offend, non of us know it all.

[@eloc2020]

He's a builder not a deck builder. You measure all your 2x8 1st then place them in a pile by thickness and place them accordingly.

[@shahar85]

He wanted the boards to lay directly on the legs

[@CorkKNIFE]

He specifically showed that he did that for all girders that did not rest on posts. 4:04 He can't do that for boards that rest on a flat surface.

[@eloc2020]

You'd place shims under.

[@mansardmanor3869]

@@eloc2020 yup, small blocks count as shims too

[@ronaldpigeon4713]

Thank you for this information. When I build something I always try to make it perfect. Well if you build with wood, it is not perfect. When laying out the floor joists, do not do it if you are not putting on the decking right away. The sun turns them into pretzels pretty quick.

[@ultimateadventuresblog6564]

"nothing is easy as you think it is in the construction industry" Bloody true story that

[@PerkinsBuilderBrothers]

Yep

[@Gunner1750]

Excellent advice. The Grain bow tips are awesome. Thanks.

[@gregorz46]

All useful tips. These would help make me confident enough to build a nice deck.

[@stevemorbey]

This video has massively helped my day! Thankyou 👍

[@markb.1259]

"Grainbow"... Love the term! I'll never have to Google it again to remember how to lay the top boards on picnic tables I build! Thanks!

[@lostintime8651]

"Grainbow"., that's what my friends call me.

[@TomsDIYShop]

In the process of building my new deck now and lumber sizes being off has been an issue! Thank you for putting this video out and for justifying the purchase of another tool (power planer)!

[@tertys]

haha, same here. I guess I will get the same yellow one

[@xCoolBreezex]

Thank you for sharing solutions to common issues very helpful

[@BB-xq6rj]

If you screw a small piece of 2x2 top the top end of your joist and set that “guide” on your ledger makes it perfectly flush and easy to hang 😀

[@michaelfarmer537]

Great job man! I know your crazy busy and these vids take time and effort, just want to say keep up the good work! I enjoy the sense of humor and hard work!!

[@Peter-.H]

This video was awesome. Full of great tips and fun to watch. Thanks so much 👍👍👍

[@Asta-wl8jz]

Don't hurt that expensive hammer!!!!! Kidding aside...I love your channel.

[@bwrightaway2877]

Love your videos. I'm a hobby builder and absolutely love watching "tips & tricks" videos

[@sweetpanentertainment360]

Great advise on joist hanger. thanks! Also investing in an electric planar!

[@jeffro1245]

love the videos. always a good day when i get a notification that Perkins uploaded a new video.

[@christianc1313]

Just built a 12x48' and 12x26' on my house and this would have saved me so much aggravation. Great tips!!

[@TheBucklandgrp]

Your videos are always helpful, thank you very much

[@countryfriedhvac]

This both helped me and gave me an excuse to buy a new tool. Thanks!

[@verohandymike]

At 3:06 I'm a little surprised that the joint isn't staggered where those longer boards meet the shorter ones!

[@14YoungShadow]

Right. We always stagger joints 2 to 4 feet on double bands

[@lynwoodcole3749]

Was thinking the same, I always stagger my joints. Would never leave such a weak point. Don't think it would pass an inspection here.

[@eddiegutierrez2739]

Butted joints over the posts is the way to properly transfer the load to the posts. When you stagger, you let your fasteners carry the load that would go to the post. What is wrong there is there’s no mounting bracket in between the post and beam

[@verohandymike]

@@eddiegutierrez2739 If you can go to 2:40 and pause it... Certainly you want your butt joint to land on a post, but I would not land both butt joints on the same post, there are enough posts close together to stagger the beams so that when one joins on a post the one beside it flys thru to join on another post, adding to the stability of both.

[@paullarnce2167]

Even though you planed the difference- how are you going to maintain the level?

[@dwhaganster]

Kiln dried is much worth the investment. Likely to have less cupping bowing and twisting and is ready to seal upon install.

[@murphythemenace3307]

If the post are notched correctly the beams are level.. hes just getting rid of the difference in thickness

[@mytuberisapotato7830]

To some extent he's not, if the posts were leveled before the joists added then the top plane of the joists will be out of level, they could also crown up in the middle and just be feathered on the ends. If using the planer like he is you need to check more than just the ends where joists aren't flush. The way I do it is flushing up the top plane of the joists and shining or notching the section of the joists that bares weight, that way all the pieces are straight and level on the top without planing the whole joist. This also means that the factory pressure treatment stays intact on the top edge so preservative doesn't need to be applied.

[@jeffstanley4593]

@@murphythemenace3307 Width not thickness, the board is about 1 1/2 inches thick and about 11 1/2 wide in this case. You and Perkins went to the same school.

[@theheyseed]

I have been adding the hangers after the joists for years for the reason you stated. It is a bit of a pain when I build them 12" OC getting a decent swing on the connector nails but worth it to have the tops level.

[@regularguy9264]

Canadian lumber seems to be more consistent....not perfect but rarely do I come across that level of ridiculous. I also run all my joists wild with a temporary rim joist, put on the decking except for the last row, and then chalk my last line across the joists according to where the last row will now fit (rather than original measurements). Cut the joists and reattach the rim joist. Always looks perfectly finished and compensates for variations in the decking. Thanks for another good video.

[@malinoisnation9392]

Invaluable tips. Thanks!

[@learningcoach1]

Hello Perkins Bros. yet another awesome video i consider you guys my teachers because im learning so much there are soooooooo many pro tips in this video AWESOME! THANK YOU!

[@wjthehomebuilder]

You helped me today. I'm building a deck! Good timing!

[@timlabarr6131]

Thank you! For these tips I do have a small deck repair coming up and the "grainbo" trick os something I never woulda thought of. Your videos are pretty sweet keep it up ☝

[@sr-sr592]

cool video hit both my issues just as I got on my first joist in my DIY deck.

[@bash6519]

Very helpful. I’m doing a solo job rebuilding my old deck and lumber that looks like it came from a dr. Suess tree has me stressing. FOT copy that

[@eileendoherty4861]

Thank you so much for the planer tip, it saved us!

[@firstnationsindian8062]

Thank you for the great tips and taking the time doing the videos. Much appreciated.

[@berniemac8413]

After planing down the 2x lumber, do you need to re-treat those shaved ends to preserve the life of the treated wood?

[@kennethgreenwood1362]

Pressure treated lumber is treated in a pressure chamber at high pressures. The materials used to treat them are forced into the material. It’s not painted on that’s why they are so much heavier.

[@SuperMusic12345]

Correct - preservedwood.org/portals/0/documents/PT_FieldTreating.pdf

[@bradrabedeaux2950]

Cutek Extreme and/or G tape to protect the cut ends and planed surfaces.

[@jefflinnell8492]

Pressure treating of lumber is different now that the carcinogens are outlawed .it is almost impossible to get dry pressure treated lumber anymore .unless you buy premium pressure treated and the is such a thing .the new process of pressure treatment is they float it in a pool of latex treatment and when you get it it is three times the weight and shrinkage over the first 90 days is substantial .

[@caleberwin65]

Love every single one of your videos.

[@Bob-n2d]

Awesome info .. keep the videos coming

[@chrisspanyer1525]

New wood is wet and it shrinks when it drys . I would hope that that wood is equally dry before plaining or after your install it will shrink and cause different heights. I assume you know this and I am over thinking it

[@paulmurphy612]

Thank you for the video. I love your KZbin content. In this case however I saw/heard a couple things I don’t agree with. I think you’re using the word thickness when you mean width. They’re not the same thing. While I enjoyed the term grainbow, I don’t agree with how you’re anticipating wood movement based on the curve of the annular rings. Plainsawn wood can be expected to cup towards the sap face and away from the heart face. Look it up in, “The Wood Handbook” from the Forest Products Laboratory. I don’t think I can link here, but the image of the end of a log is an iconic one. FTR, I’m not a carpenter by trade, but a cabinetmaker...(40 years and counting) To leave on a good note, the layout board you fastened center span is a killer idea! I’m stealing that one for sure. 🙂

[@OhJeezRanders]

Thanks for everything I love the channel! Can’t wait to get back out there this season :)

[@rockytop000]

Thanks for the tips! Gonna build me a deck this summer. Love your videos!

[@tylerkujawa7051]

Dude planer for the win thanks dude mine varied some exactly what I needed I was at a loss for what to do

[@T.E.P.]

Thanks again for taking the time to make these terrific vids

[@robwaz1547]

Problems more like nightmares, everyday. For sure we are not alone with there minor time eaters. Thanks nice video

[@eco_guardian]

Great video, just about to put all my joists in.

[@ILikeWafflz]

1:02 My head: "Man he's really flying with that planer" 1:09 Lol

[@danthibedeau6769]

Same.

[@OffRoad-jh1do]

You guys don't 45 degree miter cut the outside skirt board on that girder? Makes a much cleaner corner. Great video as always!

[@PerkinsBuilderBrothers]

Thanks brother... usually don’t miter on the treated wood. Have found that it usually shrinks and warps so bad as it dries that the fit doesn’t look that good in the long run.

[@OffRoad-jh1do]

@@PerkinsBuilderBrothers Yes, it can move and twist if put up wet. ( We let dry 30- 60 days before installing) We use PT or synthetic fascia here because of termites. All our lap joints and corners are mitered. I let it dry out and paint it before installing never had a problem but it does take time to let it dry out. Our decks here are all poured concrete with marble install on top. It's great to see how others build in different climates and areas of the country. Great channel....

[@ortofoncape]

Is that really a girder though ? Or is a girder located below the joist . that’s more like a header by definition. A girder would allow you to not have to hang those outside joists.

[@brooksfamilyadventures1886]

i really wish i would have seen this before i started lol. great tips!

[@Mariobrownio1989]

Thanks for sharing! I need to get that planer for sure

[@wilsoncroft-malcolm5235]

Just what i needed to help finish me deck...thnx mate...

[@SubStationSparky]

As a perfectionist it DRIVES ME NUTS to see lumber with such different dimensions

[@paulbaker1319]

How does a video like this get not one, but 55 👎 ? Thank you for sharing these tips. Love the vids..

[@JM-qy5yd]

Awesome video, great tips!

[@erikh5950]

Wow! I thought it was me. I couldn't believe the wood was at different widths. Tha k you for the video

[@jenhart1779]

Thanks for the heads up. Keep em going.👍

[@TehDrewsus]

Love the Reds shirt. Have my sub. This video was also extremely helpful while I was building a deck recently

[@irisgg858]

Definitely gonna look into a planner now

[@stevenspirito5672]

Good video bro good little tips for people who don’t run into this stuff all the time or DIY weekend warrior. Thanks man.

[@patmurphy2472]

Who do you get your lumber from? No mill up here in Canada would let those variations leave the mill.

[@randyrussell6246]

I have gotten treated lumber from and built with it in 8 states , had to size the lumber on hundreds of jobs. Once in a blue moon it's all the same dimension but it's instinctive to to size, rip and plane.....it's not a bad day unless the boards have twist and 1/2 cups and they have to come back to pick up and replace. Must be gravy for you Canadians not to have to size your treated lumber

[@paulthomas2236]

Looking good thanks guys

[@johnmca5643]

Thanks....great useful information. I'm going to buy a planner now.

[@PerkinsBuilderBrothers]

👍.. we have several. The DEWALT has blades you can re-sharpen. We also have a Bosch with replaceable carbide blades. The DEWALT cuts deeper, but we have used the heck out of them both

[@davidd8435]

Question, I noticed you had a double or triple joist sort of in the middle of the deck layout, was that so all your deck boards would be the same length? So you will not have many joints in your deck?

[@juancano7114]

Great work guy’s!

[@slowfinger2]

Tip: If pairing boards together check that the heavy ones are not wet or fresh from factory, and the other all ready dried, shrunken, and light. The alignment will change as one dries.

[@jeff_9074]

I had some deck boards delivered a month ago that looks to have dried out (haven't installed yet).. I'm extending my old deck and was going to use a partition board to separate the old decking with the new, however the old decking isn't as thick as the new, so I'm considering just replacing those too, with new ones. Now the new ones will probably be wetter than the ones that were delivered a month ago. I'll still use a partition board between to separate the already delivered dry decking with the new wet decking. Would I just butt the new ones right up to each other, and the others leave a 1/8 or so gap?

[@slowfinger2]

@@jeff_9074 It's hard to tell with shrinkage. Sometimes they don't shrink at all. Nail/screw spacing in from the side 1/3 width (min 1 1/2") stops splitting and allows some shrinkage. I did that last month using a nail spacer with boards that I thought were fairly dry and they shrank that much again. Almost too wide. But, this is under a roof and stays dry. Consider that. Spread out or stand up the new ones to dry up, off the ground and flip them. Day or two is enough. Happy building !

[@jeff_9074]

@@slowfinger2 thanks for the pointers! I got my pt lumber from Menards, southern pine. I notice when they're pretty wet they are white in color, and as they dry they turn more of goldish shade.

[@thudang3039]

Thank you. =) I'm sure it would've drove me nuts, especially as I'm going to be DIYing the thing. LOL

[@topsecretbear9918]

Good tips. Much appreciated.

[@Jknueven7]

shout out to your University of Cincinnati T-shirt! Go bearcats! thanks for the awesome information!

[@CP-om3mc]

I am no where near a professional like you guys are, but i have built a couple of decks, and a few other projects using pressure treated lumber, but i have never seen such irregularities in lumber dimensions. Where I live (east coast U.S), the lumber we get is uniform in width and thickness.

[@nobbydeblue4357]

Nice video Thanks for the tips .