07-18-2015, 07:42 PM
Yahoo, the deck surface is done. I think where I left you all last time was here:
What remained at that point was to fit the last 8 or 10 deck boards and two perimeter boards, finishing at the stairs. I'd like to be able to tell you it was just as simple as that, but it wasn't. Installing the rim joist and stairs on the far side of the deck (opposite of where I started) was a big mistake. Measurements from where I was in the photo above showed I would not end up with an even number of boards. Further, the rim joist wasn't parallel with my last board by about an inch from one end to the other. I tried several mental solutions but the obvious answer was the only good one. I had to tear out the stairs, remove the rim joist, and cut down the joists so that I would end up with an even number of boards and have everything parallel. Oh well, live and learn. It actually didn't take all that long - maybe 4 hours.
Installing the last deck boards was a bit of a challenge since I was working into a smaller opening again. In order to get the boards into place I had to gang the last 3 or 4 clips well short of the end of the board, bang the board into place with a rubber mallet, and then slide the clips out until they lined up over their respective joist. To fasten them I had to drive the screw down between the two boards. But it all worked out, and this is what it looked like when I was done.
After the deck surface was done I started installing the skirt boards. My wife wisely advised that I put oil on them before I installed them. A side benefit is you get to see how spectacular this stuff looks. The skirt boards are Cumaru that has an anti slip pattern milled into it. That's of no importance when used as a skirt board, but I think it adds a nice architectural element. I spaced the boards 1/2" apart to allow for air flow under the deck, and attached them to the rim joist with two screws.
At each corner I made a corner unit by ripping a board at whatever angle was needed and then glued it back together with biscuits to help with alignment. As an experiment, I used Titebond III for the first corner unit, and epoxy for the second. I'll try Gorilla glue for the third one and pick one of the three for the last one. Here's what one with a 60 deg angle looks like:
I installed skirt boards on the sides of the stairs, but I only spaced them the width of a clip apart. Then I installed the risers and treads starting at the bottom.
When the steps were done I installed the trim board that covers the screws used to attach the skirt boards.
The ends of the trim boards have a spline to help keep the corners in alignment.
Not much more to do on the deck itself. I'm hoping for 2 or 3 days of good weather next week so I can put the oil on it. I'll show you what it looks like after that's done. Then it's on to the seats and planter boxes.
John
What remained at that point was to fit the last 8 or 10 deck boards and two perimeter boards, finishing at the stairs. I'd like to be able to tell you it was just as simple as that, but it wasn't. Installing the rim joist and stairs on the far side of the deck (opposite of where I started) was a big mistake. Measurements from where I was in the photo above showed I would not end up with an even number of boards. Further, the rim joist wasn't parallel with my last board by about an inch from one end to the other. I tried several mental solutions but the obvious answer was the only good one. I had to tear out the stairs, remove the rim joist, and cut down the joists so that I would end up with an even number of boards and have everything parallel. Oh well, live and learn. It actually didn't take all that long - maybe 4 hours.
Installing the last deck boards was a bit of a challenge since I was working into a smaller opening again. In order to get the boards into place I had to gang the last 3 or 4 clips well short of the end of the board, bang the board into place with a rubber mallet, and then slide the clips out until they lined up over their respective joist. To fasten them I had to drive the screw down between the two boards. But it all worked out, and this is what it looked like when I was done.
After the deck surface was done I started installing the skirt boards. My wife wisely advised that I put oil on them before I installed them. A side benefit is you get to see how spectacular this stuff looks. The skirt boards are Cumaru that has an anti slip pattern milled into it. That's of no importance when used as a skirt board, but I think it adds a nice architectural element. I spaced the boards 1/2" apart to allow for air flow under the deck, and attached them to the rim joist with two screws.
At each corner I made a corner unit by ripping a board at whatever angle was needed and then glued it back together with biscuits to help with alignment. As an experiment, I used Titebond III for the first corner unit, and epoxy for the second. I'll try Gorilla glue for the third one and pick one of the three for the last one. Here's what one with a 60 deg angle looks like:
I installed skirt boards on the sides of the stairs, but I only spaced them the width of a clip apart. Then I installed the risers and treads starting at the bottom.
When the steps were done I installed the trim board that covers the screws used to attach the skirt boards.
The ends of the trim boards have a spline to help keep the corners in alignment.
Not much more to do on the deck itself. I'm hoping for 2 or 3 days of good weather next week so I can put the oil on it. I'll show you what it looks like after that's done. Then it's on to the seats and planter boxes.
John
