[Home Improvement] New Deck

[GrandSportC3]

Built this 16' x 16' deck right off my indoor pool room. A few months ago, I replaced a window with a french door to allow exiting the pool room to the backyard as the only exterior door of the pool room was to the driveway. Now, I built this deck (phase 1 of 3) to be able to tan in the sun after using the pool. The finished project will include 2 more decks, connected with walkways or stairs that may include other features like a grill or a pizza oven.. Nor sure yet..

[TheHammer]

Let me guess, you wrote off the materials to one of your rentals as an improvement?

[GrandSportC3]

Originally Posted by TheHammer

Let me guess, you wrote off the materials to one of your rentals as an improvement?

I'm actually renting out my In-Law apartment, and they may use the pool and deck. I actually can't write this off in this year's taxes as the expense was in 2024, not 2023. Not really a large write off.. Deck cost me $800 in materials.

[Yadkin]

Congrats. You built a wing with nothing to keep it from flying away.

[BayouCountry]

Wondering why you decided to go wood to ground instead of cement or block footings. Maybe the footings are not visible in the picture.

Edit: they are set in concrete per post below. Still, the wood looks like it will remain wet from standing ground water around the footings. Raised block footings are my preference. Looks nice.

[snide]

Looks kinda small.

[TheHammer]

Originally Posted by GrandSportC3

I'm actually renting out my In-Law apartment, and they may use the pool and deck. I actually can't write this off in this year's taxes as the expense was in 2024, not 2023. Not really a large write off.. Deck cost me $800 in materials.

BS, you drive all over town for cheap electricity and gas back in the day. I know $800 is big coin for you. And, you'll write it off in 2024.

[LATB]

Looks like a nice improvement.

A few pro tips for the next time:
- Set the posts on a steel (galv.) post base that is attached to the concrete footer. Not a good idea to encapsulate the post with the concrete. (and I would have used 6x6's)
- Cut and square the ends of the deck boards. At least remove the lumber tags. I usually let the decking boards hang over a bit and strike a nice line and cut in place for a sharp line and clean end grain cuts.
- It is best to have a small step from the deck at the entry doors. Usually 4". Keeps potential rain from flooding the door sill.

[GrandSportC3]

Originally Posted by Yadkin

Congrats. You built a wing with nothing to keep it from flying away.

posts go 2 feet under ground, secured by concrete. Not going to fly away.

[GrandSportC3]

Originally Posted by LATB

Looks like a nice improvement.

A few pro tips for the next time:
- Set the posts on a steel (galv.) post base that is attached to the concrete footer. Not a good idea to encapsulate the post with the concrete. (and I would have used 6x6's)
- Cut and square the ends of the deck boards. At least remove the lumber tags. I usually let the decking boards hang over a bit and strike a nice line and cut in place for a sharp line and clean end grain cuts.
- It is best to have a small step from the deck at the entry doors. Usually 4". Keeps potential rain from flooding the door sill.

If the deck would have been higher, I would probably have gone that way.
I will remove the tags later. I will also attach lumber on the side so that no animals get under the deck. This isn't the finished product yet. The Deck isn't really connected to the house. There is a 3 inch gap for the sliding barn doors to close. The last piece of wood is actually on hinges and can flip open to allow the barn door to close. Take a close look at the first piece of wood after the door, You'll see the little hinges. I can also flip that last piece in case of heavy rain. I set that last piece to have a slight incline to let water drain.

I used this deck guide for the wood dimensions and post spacing.
I used 16" spacing and 8 ft beetween posts (almost 10' allowable with 2 x 6)

[zsr22]

Looks completely professional and not amateur at all. The hinged toe stubber board is icing on the cake.

[GrandSportC3]

Originally Posted by BayouCountry

Wondering why you decided to go wood to ground instead of cement or block footings. Maybe the footings are not visible in the picture.

Edit: they are set in concrete per post below. Still, the wood looks like it will remain wet from standing ground water around the footings. Raised block footings are my preference. Looks nice.

posts go 2 feet into the ground. Ground water is well below that. I have another deck built like that. It is now 10 years old and holding up great.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by GrandSportC3

The Deck isn't really connected to the house. There is a 3 inch gap for the sliding barn doors to close. The last piece of wood is actually on hinges and can flip open to allow the barn door to close. Take a close look at the first piece of wood after the door, You'll see the little hinges. I can also flip that last piece in case of heavy rain. I set that last piece to have a slight incline to let water drain.

And another reason to step the deck down from the door sill.

Actually, as close to grade that you are...I probably would have formed it up and poured concrete and been done with it.

[GrandSportC3]

Originally Posted by zsr22

Looks completely professional and not amateur at all. The hinged toe stubber board is icing on the cake.

I've been building a few decks over the years.. I also fully rehabbed several flip and rental homes. So, I have a little experience.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by GrandSportC3

If the deck would have been higher, I would probably have gone that way.
I will remove the tags later. I will also attach lumber on the side so that no animals get under the deck. This isn't the finished product yet. The Deck isn't really connected to the house. There is a 3 inch gap for the sliding barn doors to close. The last piece of wood is actually on hinges and can flip open to allow the barn door to close. Take a close look at the first piece of wood after the door, You'll see the little hinges. I can also flip that last piece in case of heavy rain. I set that last piece to have a slight incline to let water drain.

I used this deck guide for the wood dimensions and post spacing.
I used 16" spacing and 8 ft beetween posts (almost 10' allowable with 2 x 6)

Probably sufficient but I don't know how the joists were framed? Girder?

[GrandSportC3]

Originally Posted by LATB

And another reason to step the deck down from the door sill.

Actually, as close to grade that you are...I probably would have formed it up and poured concrete and been done with it.

At the current concrete prices, that would've been pricey.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by GrandSportC3

At the current concrete prices, that would've been pricey.

It would have been about the same. Maybe less if you finished it yourself.

The concrete would be about 3 yards.

[GrandSportC3]

Originally Posted by LATB

Probably sufficient but I don't know how the joists were framed? Girder?

Galvanized joist hangers.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by GrandSportC3

Galvanized joist hangers.

Hanging on what?

Any pics of the framing?

[zsr22]

Originally Posted by GrandSportC3

At the current concrete prices, that would've been pricey.

You're looking at barely 3 yards to do a slab that size.


$1,000 concrete patio > $800 wood deck.