Many homeowners would love to have a deck but do not have the money they need to build it. Fortunately, building a deck does not have to cost you a fortune. If you go for the cheaper materials and do it yourself, you can add a perfect deck to your home without putting a dent in your budget.
Do you want to know how to go about it? If that is the case, then you are in the right place! In this article, you will find a comprehensive guide to building a deck on a budget, ranging from planning it out to sealing it. Check it out!
Step #1 – Make a Plan
The first step to building a deck is to make a detailed plan. You will need to decide on how big it is going to be, what materials you will use, and what colors you will be going for. To do it quickly and effectively, you should determine its main purpose first.
For instance, if you want to host big barbeque parties, it would be best if your deck was kind of big. On the other hand, if you are living on your own and do not need much space, going for a smaller deck is going to be the better option.
When it comes to the materials, you might want to use wood for the floor and railings, and rubber for the roof. That kind of roof is both cheap and durable, making it perfect for those on a very tight budget. If you are interested in buying that kind of roofing, you might want to visit https://www.rubberroofingdirect.co.uk/rubber-roofing/epdm/epdm-rubber-roofing-faqs
Step #2 – Choose the Location
The next step is looking for the best spot for your deck. This will help you with planning and designing it. It is important that you place your deck in a pleasant spot. For instance, if you do not want it to get hot in the summer, you can place it in an area with indirect sunlight.
Remember that the location of your deck should depend on its purpose. For example, if you want your deck to be a great spot for fishing, you should consider placing it near water. If you want your deck to be a place for socializing with friends, you should look for a great view.
Step #3 – Build a Foundation
You should build your deck foundation before you start doing anything else. It is important that you do so because the foundation is what will keep the entire deck stable. Ideally, you should place it on solid and level ground.
In addition to that, you should take into account how much weight it will have to support and how large it should be. These factors will determine how deep the footings should be placed and what material you should use.
The number of footings depends on the size of your deck and whether it is freestanding or attached to a house. Use a string line to make sure each footing is level before pouring in the concrete mix.
Lastly, you need to leave enough space between the footings and any nearby structures, such as walls. It is worth noting that you should also ensure that all the footings are at least one foot away from any obstructions, such as trees or shrubs.
Step #4 – Cut and Prepare Your Deck Wood
The next step is cutting and preparing your deck wood. First of all, check for any defects in the wood. Next, you should cut each board to the correct length so that they all fit together without any gaps.
Then, lay every piece of board flat on the ground so that they are ready for installation. It is important that you know how many boards you need to make your deck perfect in size and shape.
Step #5 – Lay Your Deck Planks
The next step is laying your deck planks. You need to make sure that the deck planks are placed in the correct order and alignment. Otherwise, you might end up wasting your time making necessary changes later on.
Step #6 – Seal Your Deck
The last step is sealing your deck. It is important to do this because it helps protect it from rot, warping, and mold. There are many ways in which you can seal your deck. For example, you can apply an oil-based sealer to the planks.
Building a deck on a tight budget is not that difficult. That is especially the case if you have basic woodworking skills. It will prevent you from having to hire other people to take care of this home improvement project for you, which can be quite costly.
However, if you do end up running into issues along the way, hiring a professional is going to be your best bet. They will do their best to ensure that everything is alright and deal with the problematic stuff in no time.
