TOP TEN Deck Building Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner!

This tutorial is filled with my top tips on how to build a deck from start to finish. This DIY deck building tutorial will provide many improtant pro tips on building a deck that I wish I knew sooner. Bring Your Own Tools (#BYOTools 201).
Apparel List:
-Georgia Boot (20% off with "BYOT"): bit.ly/395WxO6
-BYOT Shirt: bit.ly/2T6l8dE
-Knee Pads: amzn.to/45EGIpz
Tool List:
-Laser Level: amzn.to/3Ezq66z
-Framing Hammer amzn.to/2XmNErF
-Chop Saw amzn.to/3k5GCCC
-Framing Nailer: amzn.to/3oEb9Mx
-Tape Measure amzn.to/3hrUYeG
-Speed Square amzn.to/2FrIuQK
-6' Level amzn.to/3ANX6Fd
-2' Level amzn.to/2ViD711
-Drills: amzn.to/45DOnUU
-Circular Saw: amzn.to/45rsTuy
CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
1:53 - Rent A Dumpster
3:30 - Get A Laser Level
6:28 - Have Extra Wood Preservative On Hand
9:13 - Account For Lumber Discrepancies
10:11 - Add Framing For Picture Frame Decking
11:25 - Think About Going To 16" OC To 12" OC
13:16 - Add Center Support Blocking
14:56 - Add Metal Flashing And/Or Deck Spacers
17:38 - Know How To Square Up A Deck
19:47 - Rent A Skid Loader
MUSIC from www.endlessnoise.com/ & www.chernebeats.com

[@briardan9226]

My problem with renting a dumpster was people in the neighborhood throw their crap into it during the rental time. I will show up and there's a nasty couch or mattress in it. Bags of trash, TVs ... you name it. Then I was stuck with the extra costs. I now make a pile of debris and then rent the dumpster for one day. Drop off in the morning, they pick it up 6 hours later. It's gone before people can sneak their trash into it.

[@BYOTools]

Ouch that sucks! Luckily for me I've never had to deal with that issue before in my area but good on you for figuring out a way to do it by just renting it for a day. Thanks for watching!

[@georgea6403]

They have some you can lock.

[@gradydorn4431]

Aww, isn't that your civic duty? You should consider that "GIVING BACK". HA!

[@georgea6403]

Oops my bad. I was thinking of trash bins 🫨

[@Krunch2020]

As a former kitchen contractor my crew would COMPLETELY gut the existing kitchen in one day and my hauling subcontractor would do a late afternoon pickup and sweep. When the homeowner arrived it looked like nobody showed up for work. Boy were they surprised when they went inside!

[@robertmccormick3696]

I’ve seen a couple of your videos and they are pretty good. I’ve been in the trades for 35 years. Good content here, especially with composite decks. I have to make one suggestion. Do not use a surveyors tape to check for square on a larger deck. You need to buy a 100’ steel tape. A surveyor tape is plastic and will stretch/shrink due to the temperature. A steel tape will not stretch/shrink. Hope this helps.

[@CMCraftsman]

I agree. Or actually have it surveyed. I’ve done that on really large Home builds and it is spot on.

[@jamesbrooks5442]

A steel tape will stretch as it heats up in the sun keep them out of the sun

[@UTAH100]

stretch is fine as long as you measure at near the same time. It is a relevant number. Like my step meter can be way off- does not matter. I try to best it each day.

[@JohnSewell-gh9og]

Surveying technician here. We almost never use tapes to measure distances between monuments. Total stations and GPS systems are pretty well standard now. If we use a 300 or 100 ft vinyl tape it’s because we are looking for something and are trying to get close enough to use a metal detector. Only tape a surveyor should be using to take measurements of record is a steel tape. The steel tape doesn’t stretch like a vinyl tape when pulled tight for a measurement, but it will get longer and shorter with temperature changes. However, it is constant and you can account for the dimension differential if properly motivated.

[@RT-tn4ry]

Measure within 5 minutes and there is no issue.

[@theflyingdutchman787]

I’ve built a few decks a while ago, and am about to start my first composite remodel. This video was invaluable. Thank you.

[@BYOTools]

Amazing to hear! Thanks so much for watching.

[@tealkerberus748]

Another tip: Put the auger bit on the ground before you start it turning. You can see in the vid how much it wobbles around before it touches the ground. If you want any sort of accuracy, you need to touch down first. Also, as they go deeper into the ground, the angle changes. Have an assistant watching from side-on, and they'll tell you when you need to reposition the machine so that you're still drilling vertically.

[@davidj.leavitt7176]

Yup! Blocking is definitely a must. Here’s a suggestion for you. Since your joists are on 16” centers, the spaces should all be the same. Cut all of your blocking before you start hanging your joists. Then install the blocking and joists at the same time. It will remove the necessity of measuring and cutting between each joist bay and keep your joists more parallel on the 16” centers.

[@GonzaHero]

I would recommend not doing that. Things don’t always line up perfectly and you may end up with a lot of waste that way.

[@davidparker9676]

The joists can move around quite a bit with blocking, you only need to measure the first and last one. The first measurement for all but the last, the las one for the actual size.

[@ferdburful6352]

My deck was built 30 years ago. No blocking. Still in great shape.

[@user-sg9vj4sp1w]

Thanks mucho for the great tips. Glad I watched before finishing up my deck.

[@chiliboom6140]

Thank you Sir! I was just talking with my wife about not trusting the deck at her parents house and what that will eventually entail. I have now saved this video and subscribed. Also, PNW born and raised!

[@Roy-ij1wq]

!2" OC spacing for composite decking is required if you are installing it diagonally. It is also the minimum spacing required for a hot tub.

[@walnutcontractors5661]

Great tips - I might see about renting a walk behind next time !! I switched to putting a plywood deck with torch on on top of my decks and then pt 2x4 sleepers on flat. Torch on is good for at least 30 years, the under deck area is dry and great for storage. No worries about 12 oc since have the plywood.

[@lisat9707]

Thank you for the very detailed explanation on little details! I would love to see a planning video on deck replacemnt modification or building from scratch. That planning stage🥰

[@garybrown9719]

3x4 x5 great tip they used to teach in school 😢 That was apefectly good deck 😮

[@MrCwreid]

Great video! I enjoyed how you say "heighth" too!

[@jean-marclamothe8859]

WoW a real pro in motion!

[@IowaCoyotes]

Always good to get so honest tips!

[@jag5316]

I’m planning on a redwood deck remodel. The railing goes, but the 20 year old floor boards are old growth redwood so rather than toss them, I’m going to flip them over to use the unweathered side which I will sand and treat with boiled linseed oil.

[@BYOTools]

Interesting idea, but why dont you just sand and resurface the existing side so you don't have to back out all of the screws? Thanks for watching Jag.

[@jag5316]

@@BYOTools I’m debating refinish vs flip-refinish. There are ugly black stains around the corroded screw heads which I can’t sand or bleach out. Also, there are small splits due to weathering which go down about half the wood thickness. The board undersurfaces look pristine. If I flip, I would need to use your suggestion of cutting the screws with a reciprocating saw.

[@shawnbrennan7526]

@@jag5316 Yikes! I’d definitely go with refinishing. If you try to flip them, there may be more damage and stains on the bottom than you realize. And if you have any cutouts for posts or railings, you probably can’t reuse them exactly. As soon as you have to replace one or two boards, the whole thing will look half-assed. Good luck with whichever route you go.

[@jag5316]

@@shawnbrennan7526 Thanks

[@jag5316]

Interestingly enough, the boards with cutouts don’t need flipping. The deck gets sun unevenly due to the progression of the roofline shadow throughout the day

[@Mike-sh2cb]

Another great video! Many thanks for the tips and for sharing! Can I put in request, for if/when/want to do... please. Retaining walls from old train track beams. Hopefully that makes sense! Thanks again for sharing matey! Very happy to see that your biz is going great!! All the best to you and your family, plus dog! mike from barcelona

[@1Tibs1]

...love that you’re talking about cut ends and preservation but what’s going to happen to the lumber you notched as it is still wet as the comparison is dry wood?

[@wildbill6976]

use nails on hurricane ties and joist hangers (is also code where required); nails allow for lateral movement due to settling & expansion/contraction; screws aren't, they'll just snap

[@taterbug70]

I am so glad I watched this video to the end

[@ericturner2477]

These are great tips. I'm waiting for permit approval to build my first deck (it's actually my first big project of any kind). Needless to say I'm feeling a little nervous, so I'm learning as much as I can while I'm waiting.

[@jakewhite6518]

Pro tip: if your town/municipality allows, ditch the concrete footings and go with helical piles. They can hold 2x the load, installed in about an hour and you never have to pick up a post hole digger or mix concrete AGAIN! (Cost Is $200 per where I am)

[@FlyingAceAV8B]

Yea but how do you drive them into hard soil or rock?

[@jakewhite6518]

@@FlyingAceAV8B hard soil has never been an issue…..rock….you’re up the creek. Either way with rock, you will still run into the same issues.

[@stevelopez372]

Work poorly in soft soils. Soil conditions with this method matters.

[@user-zc3eh4di6p]

I see helical piles for mobile home footings , the speed of installation is awesome!

[@FlyingAceAV8B]

I def would like to use it but we have rock and they require a special machine to drive them into the ground. That machine is not cheap to rent because you need someone trained to use it. Concrete is just much easier for doing your own projects.

[@stevenkirby7478]

Very good tips

[@barryryle6420]

I love your videos! They are so informative! Thank you!!!

[@petersplat6164]

Flashing tape is never used by the spec house builders where I live in SC. Throw it up and get the check is the business plan. The decks are full of thoughtless water collection pockets, loose railings, and little regard for longevity and rot protection. I look at new houses' decks, and I swear I could easily kick them to pieces. If you want a deck done right, do some reading, and do it yourself.

[@TheRealOC_714]

You’ve earned my subscription. This vid was soooooo helpful

[@trickmiggy310]

I just built a deck myself, you give great advice. One thing I notice is you use the DEWALT framing nailer, I hated mine, it jammed so easily so I got the Ryobi framing nailer and it’s a game changer

[@bugtusslealien3931]

Got a hammer and it never jammed.

[@FlyingAceAV8B]

I have the DEWALT and it worked flawlessly.

[@AndrewCastellanoReal]

Went through several dewalt. Milwaukee has been way better since I switched.

[@The_Brew_Dog]

Dewalt is garbage! The internals are literally identical to cheap black and decker.

[@barryirby8609]

Degree in Building Construction here Class A contractor and many years as a Home Inspector. Exterior doors should have rot proof jambs and sill flashing such as Jam-Sil-Guard trays. The deck should be a step down to help keeping snow from blocking doors. The framing should be flat but should slope down away from the house maybe an inch in eight feet to help the water drool away. Many excellent thoughts in your video.

[@crazycressy7986]

I am just about to fit my composite decking, ive got SC24 timbers for the sub frame and will treat every cut and the top and sides but not the bottom of the timbers with 2 coats of fast drying bitumen primer and then im going to top the timbers with 100mm DPC ,this will then sag each side like a cover and this will divert water away from the timbers ,ok it will take a few more hours but will last a long time

[@shuff1111]

On the center hole of those deck spacers you should fill them with caulking before you run the lag bolts through and into the house!

[@sweetiepienumber1]

Good instruction. Thanks.

[@balushidoublecdown942]

that's why one of my first purchases when I went into business was a dump trailer, so I can fill up multiple jobs and only go to the dump once a month and push a button.

[@wwflguy]

On the wood dimension difference a lot can be due to shrinkage between new and old wood or wet vs dry wood. Ive built a few docks where it was easier to float joices to get them where they needed to go, and its amazing how much the wood will expand from just a short 10 to 30 minutes in the water especially for newer wood. Vs old well dried lumber.

[@Marwil23]

get a trailer and make some other projects out of the reclamed wood or you can post them for free somewhere. that wood still can be used for planters, fence, decore, pathway, and so much more.

[@garycasper2929]

Let me see if I got this right. You want someone else to buy thousands of dollars worth of equipment aka a trailer. Take extra time to separate the "good" wood from the garbage wood. Then store it at their house for an undetermined time , only to then "give" it away for free. Not including the constant waiting around for strangers to come to their house & "kick the tires" & decide if they actually want the free wood... Did I get that right..???

[@Marwil23]

@@garycasper2929 sorry didn't mean to get your panties in a bunch. its your call to do with your stuff or stuff you are going to throw out. reclaimed wood worth good money right now its in fashion right now.

[@hardworkingamerican8847]

​@@Marwil23 People will come and take that stuff quick .

[@jakebredthauer5100]

​@@Marwil23 Saves dump fee and other expenses

[@ProdecksbrisbaneAu]

I love the idea

[@blackterminal]

Thanks for sharing.

[@thebulegila]

Thanks for all the tips. Looks like the main focus was on a project in the Magnolia or Ballard area?

[@ChadAF_YT]

Just use tin snips to cut flashing. I work on decks as well. Cool video

[@micahthompson3762]

Also a builder, I enjoyed your video.

[@stevenbittinger5128]

The major thing to get started correctly is to drop the framing . Use a 2x4 tacked under the walkout door of the house. This will prevent water,ice and snow from being at the same height as the interior floor . This helps prevent moisture creeping under door sills. Flashing against the house will be alot more beneficial as it will now be standing upright and counter flashed with the door flashing.Can't remember how many repairs we have made where decks were level with door sills and the water damage it caused

[@MyLolo51]

The author does like to from scratch, kzbin.infoUgkxbnOKZBE4evMO5V2vroHeCjq6d_MV6wJO shaping and trimming wood from large blocks into fine finished products. As another reviewer mentioned, most projects require a lot of high-dollar equipment that most of us don’t have the room or budget for. But, knowing how to do these things, even if we won’t be able to practise the full stack project, is still great.

[@BrianInbox-tn7qu]

Can you please share a link for the deck to house spacers mentioned? I have an application where spacers would be perfect and I’d like to use the same ones if possible.

[@janking2762]

Your deck will be much more solid if you support the joists below on larger joists( 2x10 under 2x8), add some bracing and use hangers for the upper joists. I wouldn’t trust face or toe baling joist to ledgers. My 12x 30 ft. deck with 2x6 decking can hold support a half ton pickup.

[@garybrown9719]

Have you ever used steel z-gerts for your joists Then you can screew from the bottom

[@thomasjameson5761]

Im a little confused by the right angle method. I see that it translates to the string but how does that translate to the girder and joists that you place in the ground? Do you just line up the edges of the boards to the string? Thanks!

[@PrecisionOutdoorProfessionals]

Grinder burns the paint off the flashing will cause premature rust on ferrous metals snips will prevent that graphite can also cause more rapid oxidization of ferrous metals

[@rona291]

Thanks!

[@chefe2152]

Im just re building deck that previous owners build on top of other smaller deck,i was thinking to put roofing membrane on top of tne below deck ,just so the water wont continue damage .Any thoughts on that?

[@richardatkins6895]

With your footings, do you just put a concrete base then back fill with soil

[@Allen-bm6tz]

What angle framing nailer are you using? 21 degree in the PNW?

[@TheAdamlans]

Great video, the only tip I disagree with is planning an entire joist. I think it's best to grade the lumber and pitch the support beam to match the graded lumber instead of installing it level. anything slightly out should be called "too low", and gets shimmed shim with a HDG washer or something strong.

[@davidgustin5685]

I'm curious how you manage to fire nails through the dewalt nailer without jamming.

[@jakedupont3882]

When you are re-doing a deck from rotted wood to composite, do you start at the house? Or start at the end of the deck?

[@beakhammer2638]

I and not sure about the decking tape on the joists. Will this not trap moisture and cause fungal rot? From very wet Ireland.

[@johnsmith-xr6qy]

Yeah, but the dump trailers available now helps with the demo, supplies & equipment. Roll off or dumpsters work for total house demo or other large (multi dump) jobs.

[@SuperUnknown006]

Use butyl joist tape, not flashing tape.

[@StevenAbbott]

Years ago I arrived at my job site to find my dumpster full. I began throwing material onto the sidewalk that did not belong in my dumpster. A neighbor came running over demanding to know who I was and what I was doing. I informed him that I was the contractor who ordered this dumpster and was removing someone's garbage from my dumpster. He said the homeowner I worked for told him and the neighbors they could use the dumpster.

[@MrQuack811]

Awesome! So what happened with all the additional garbage?

[@davidkuest6224]

Did you bill the customer for an additional empty or what?

[@chadlipps]

That figures!! Homeowners 😅

[@funnyguy101ize]

Instead of being an asshole, pissing off your patron and making the neighbourhood look ugly you could have just charged extra.

[@Anonymous-ff5wr]

No cloth tape measure. Steel tape won’t stretch as much. But a great tip😊

[@wayne9518]

My “professionally” built house had the ledger screwed through the siding. (A no-no the inspectors missed) The flashing they did use was aluminum (A no-no the inspectors missed) which was incompatible with the pressure treated lumber chemicals which dissolved the flashing. Water damage took out the perimeter framing, floor decking, bottom plate, several studs, patio door, siding, and more. The railing and stairs were also mounted through the siding. 😢

[@stevem1081]

Since my Lazer level can shoot right angles, I would use that to square the frame.

[@shawnbrennan7526]

Should have taken 20 minutes after demo to treat the algae on the old beams. Somewhat cosmetic, but as you already said: the deck boards are going to outlast the structure.

[@GregoryGuay]

How do you feel about using rubber type flashing tape instead of aluminum drip cap or Z flashing over the ledger? Seems like the big box stores are not selling the appropriate aluminum or steel, drip caps for deck leisures, everything is going towards the DIY tape.

[@markblix6880]

The rubber flashing is not made for sun exposure. New windows to framing is one example because siding or brick will go over it. Get the aluminum, that's why they make the stuff.

[@Krunch2020]

Use 3” strips of 30lb felt on each joist. It actually wicks water out from under the decking as well as protecting the top of the joist. Plastic is always the wrong product for construction. 😊

[@joshuahasson9687]

What tip do you have for someone who over planed a joist or two & created a low spot? Can it be shimmed?

[@doobydude420]

Wood still looks good

[@mgodbee]

Interested to know if composite is really worth it. Ordered timber tech samples and I wasn't that impressed but I'm also no professional. If you went the wood route, what would be your mid budget recommendation

[@ServantoftheLord10565]

In my opinion it is worth it. Looks better and lasts longer. I haven't used timber tech but only trex so far. Loved it. And my first one i did a picture frame and aluminum railing with built in light too! turned out beautiful.

[@BYOTools]

I personally feel that its 100% worth it. Just the fact alone that all i have to do for maintenance is pressure wash it once a year it truly amazing. If you went the wood rout it depends on your budget. In my area you will see cedar or IPE. IPE will definitely be more expensive though. Thanks for watching and make sure you check out part 2 :)

[@crazycressy7986]

Think of composite decking every time you have to repaint your wooden one, then after a few years your wish you went to the darkside

[@IamFormaggio]

I stripped, sanded, washed, refinished my PT deck every year for 8 years and it still rotted. Go with composite.

[@jessarellanes6648]

Thanks.

[@geoffnewman3109]

How does flashing tape work if you put screws through it?

[@jakebredthauer5100]

97%, very well

[@hartleyhubbard3827]

lol... . "...but the funnest part of any deck remodel is the demo portion..." this is how I started in the remodel industry, is doing project demo work - cuz it takes no skill to tear/down, tear/apart. ("honey, can you pop some pop-corn? I'm going to enjoy watching this!")

[@Swiftrunjrt]

Can an 8’x10’ free standing deck be installed on deck blocks 4’ off the ground? Would it be stable? Thanks B

[@frogworth1622]

If there's no ledger board anchored to the house ask yourself would you feel safe if 10-15 people were standing on the deck and how much racking there would be. The fact you're saying you want it 4'-0" off the ground puts the centre of gravity very high and imo unsafe to use only blocks. You can't go wrong with a ledger anchored onto the house and a solid beam on concrete piers drilled under the frostline. Adding some racking support for the 4' x 4s because of their height would be a good idea.

[@Frankengruvin]

Is the flashing tape you're using the type that kind of closes in around penetrations to provide the ultimate protection?

[@jakebredthauer5100]

It works better if you use flashing tape than if you don't use it.

[@Frankengruvin]

@@jakebredthauer5100okay…? Thanks I guess? Not a very helpful comment.

[@jakebredthauer5100]

@@Frankengruvin 97% effective. The wood is going to be so dry underneath there that a small amount of water will not have any noticeable effect on the wood.

[@Frankengruvin]

@@jakebredthauer5100 at the penetrations of fasteners you mean?

[@DavoBlairo]

When are you putting the rails on this deck?

[@robertmccormick3696]

So, someone replied to my post. My personal opinion. You don’t need a survey done for a deck, at least in my part of the Midwest. The only codes would be 1/4” ledger locks every 16” OC along with footing depth of minimum of 42”. Thats it outside of your standard framing technique.

[@MarioMaillet]

Some typos in the video: "ment to say" should be spelled "meant" 9:42 "Picture frame boarder" should be spelled "border" 10:13

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

Someone needs to start a Union of wood buyers that continually put pressure on the wood cutters to provide Standard actual size lumber. And your lawmakers.

[@eugenio1542]

Australian builder 🤠 Approved 👌🇦🇺 USA is the only country in the world 🌍 to not use metric ??

[@BYOTools]

O come on. What about Liberia and Myanmar? Never giving up my imperial lol jk! Thanks for watching and glad my Australian brotheran approve. If you want to see my one and only metric build here's a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3vUcouZpb1-gacsi=NtMZVs0QNsyguMOB

[@eugenio1542]

@@BYOTools Ten of ten. 100%. 😂

[@brofessormex]

A railing like that and the deck can be upcycled and hauled away for free. And may even have a free helper for the demo

[@jonathanblum2994]

I keep my copper green in a spray bottle - easier to apply it directly to the wood, less mess.

[@brianblithe2271]

See the tool list but left out the electric hand planer, (correction, i see its a makita later) has it lasted and is it good ? why you went with makita over an American brand ?

[@garycasper2929]

What would be an American brand.? Most everything is now made in china. Makita is barely made in Japan anymore seeing them switching to china as well. DeWalt made in Mexico or assembled in the US with "global materials" ...

[@2SanityAtitsBest2]

That’s curious. Who is American made?

[@brianblithe2271]

@@2SanityAtitsBest2 dewalt/ craftsman and snapon as well as channellock

[@mrcryptozoic817]

You forgot "Mark your crowns". You want any and all crowns up on your joists.

[@TheStickinator]

I used a guys old deck to build a chicken coop. He put the wood on Craigslist free. So he didn't have to haul it to the dump.

[@1966pahandyman]

i use Zip-Tape in place of flashing tape

[@lisat9707]

Post on Kijiji FREE SCRAP WOOD FROM DECK DEMO! Id be there😂

[@daviddempsey8721]

Hopefully the timber is recycled into sheeting etc. not just sent to landfill.

[@nealforney7279]

What tool apron are you using?

[@paristo]

IMHO more important than tip n:o 10, squaring the deck, is how to build the deck that ain't in square but looks correct. Too much time is wasted for a millimeter accuracy in outdoor constructions like a deck and to get measurements exactly right. Where once set, the eye doesn't see the differences. But nitpickers will find always something to whine about.

[@cney2125]

What is “heighth”?

[@thegreatshitstain]

I've heard mixed things about the efficacy of taping/flashing over the joists. Anyone in the comments with experience using this? Does it actually result in dryer joists?

[@capitalismblows]

Pressure treated wood is not environmentally friendly. Wood lasts if orientation is correct for drying. Beams crown up, deck bark side up, posts and spindles root end down. Cedar lasts. Ever wonder why some barn boards rot? If the root end is up they retain rainwater. Nature knows best. When lumber is milled the label is stapled on the root end.

[@clem95627]

​@@capitalismblowstoday I learned....great tips.

[@TheTwistedPixel]

@@capitalismblows that's some great information. I never knew that about the tags being stapled on the root end. Oh, and if capitalism blows, it definitely blows less than any other economic system that's been tried throughout history that i know of. But to each his own.

[@NONO-hz4vo]

Tip 1. Don't use a sawzall on screws takes way too long. Get an angle grinder.

[@cos_grow1337]

Here for decades. No pun intended lol

[@peterhaynes3661]

Flashing is over kill on treated wood

[@firecloud77]

Tip No.11: Paint all framing members (including cut and factory ends) with Titebond 3 Waterproof Wood Glue.

[@jimmyjoe1591]

Use deck seal.

[@dcole7092]

Recycle good boards if you can.

[@thebulegila]

That was my first thought. I typically sort my debris and put the "good" stuff out for neighbors.

[@Roberto72722]

What kind of wood is that?

[@RT-tn4ry]

I take ice and water shield and lay it flat on the house plywood before any lumber is attached to the house.

[@NONO-hz4vo]

x2. I don't remember who shared this tip with me, think it was someone who built decks in Tahoe area but it is cheap and easy for what you get protection wise.

[@polarlab113]

You enjoy the wrecking ?what about reuse or recycle?there’s tons of wood there to reuse.I’ve rebuilt my 650 sq ft deck twice in since 1988.and reused everything that wasn’t rotted or saved it for something else.with the cost of lumber these days I don’t send anything to the dump.The dump here won’t accept wood so it goes to a local recycling facility.

[@scottcarpenter5460]

Cross measuring only makes a perfect square if sides are exactly same length. If not, it will not be perfectly square. 3,4, 5 method is more reliable and forgiving of bad length measurements.

[@tealkerberus748]

If you can't cut the two sides the same length, you probably shouldn't be building a deck. The only time that should happen is when you're deliberately building something other than a rectangle.

[@chrisbarry4467]

Interesting that you used screws rather than nails. I thought nails are much stronger for joists especially

[@identifying.as.asovereignhuman]

He's using nails with a pneumatic powered palm nailer. Kind of looks like a drill/screws, but it isn't.

[@2SanityAtitsBest2]

They looked like shortlags to me.

[@johnhaller5851]

Simpson Strong Tie allows their screws or their nails in their connectors to meet spec. They are structural screws, designed for use in pressure treated lumber.

[@tealkerberus748]

Anything you've got out in the weather should be done with screws. As materials expand from heat and then shrink when they get cold, they can pull nails right out. Screws won't pull out like that.

[@nurmukhamedartykaly4005]

19:34 - this method is good, but square and trapeze have equal diagonals. So better to check corners using 3-4-5 triangle. To be sure it is square not a trapeze.

[@DrugsAreBadUmmmKay]

Trapeze? That fits your comment belonging in a circus.

[@Krunch2020]

Huh? Wrong.

[@tealkerberus748]

If you're building a square or rectangle, the first thing you do is measure all four edges. If your opposite edges are equal, you're not building a trapeze. Once you've confirmed that both pairs of opposite edges are equal, making sure that the diagonals are equal is the most accurate way of assuring it's built square. You're measuring the largest possible triangle, not a tiny little 3/4/5 on a corner.

[@DrugsAreBadUmmmKay]

This thread belongs in a circus.

[@DrugsAreBadUmmmKay]

Any of you figure out how to square up a trapeze yet?

[@wildhunter99]

Post more plz

[@BYOTools]

Will do! Thanks for watching.

[@SR-bh5jd]

Composite decks are prone to static electricity.

[@thebulegila]

and slick but still worth it over wood!