At Good Fences and Decks, we realize that details matter.
Key components to using Good Fences Deck Building Contractors to build your new deck consist of the footing and ground attachment, ledger boards, framing, decking, railing, stairs, lighting, porch and gazebos and maintenance.
Footings are a very important component of deck construction because they provide the solid foundation that will support your deck. Your deck’s design will determine how live and dead loads are transferred from different sections of the deck to concentrated points of contact with the ground. The more footings your deck has to distribute the total load the less weight each footing will need to carry.
Attaching a ledger board to the house rim is the most basic and best option of all the ledger board applications. This anchors your deck on the stability of your home.
Joists are the repeated structural members that are used to build the frame. The minimum size joist to be used in deck construction is not a stand-alone consideration, and is related to the number of footings and beams that will be installed. In typical deck construction, with a ledger on one side of the joist and beam on the other, the size of the joists is driven by the size of the deck based on the general maximum spans mentioned above.
The floor surface of the deck is made of decking. You can think of it as the skin of your deck. Decking is structural in addition to being an aesthetic element for deck construction. Decking must be able to support 40 lbs live load + 15 lbs dead load as it is supported between joists. Most decking is designed to be installed across 16″ on center joists. We work with wood and composite decking.
Over the last 10 years the deck industry has developed a variety of attractive rail systems. Because your deck’s rails will be one of the most visible features of your new deck, it is important to choose a rail that complements your decking material and the style and color scheme of your house. Consumers have many choices of colors, styles and accessories to provide greater flexibility in design. When we are building stairs for your deck, we follow the IRC building requirements. These requirements are strictly enforced by building inspectors. The minimum width for stairs is 36”, but we recommend using 48” stairs wherever possible.
Deck lighting is a great way to make your deck more attractive and useful. We can install low voltage lights. Deck lighting is a great addition to the Porches consist of an assembly of parts much like decks. In fact many porches are simply roof systems attached to a deck frame. We love to add covered features to help you enjoy your deck regardless of the weather.
Because a new or reconditioned deck is a particularly good investment — returning about 87% of its original cost, according to “Remodeling” magazine’s annual “Cost vs. Value Report” — it’s a good idea to establish a routine of upkeep that will protect your deck and prevent expensive repairs. We can lay out the game plan to keep your deck beautiful.
Call (205) 994-0531 for a free estimate
Give us a call or send us an email. We will respond quickly and set an appointment to evaluate your needs. Whether its a deck repair, deck refurbish or a new deck, get in touch with us and we will take care of the rest.