I built my own floating, composite deck over the summer!

I definitely bit off more than I could chew building this huge deck. (~750 sqft) We decided to go with composite over wood so we could enjoy it more and spend less time maintaining. I will try and answer any questions in the comments! ​ Processing img j19vqz1qdto31... ​ Processing img pv8oi7bbeto31... ​ Processing img 40w71q1geto31... Processing img gmr0f3jndto31... Processing img qazdphjzcto31... Processing img 2ptbo8ckdto31... ​ Processing img bzidlaloeto31... ​ Processing img fn06om8ueto31... We ended up having to redo most of this because of the city building codes. The rim joists needed to be doubled up and held together with bolts placed according to code. The rim joists also had to sit on posts... we had to take out all the 4x4's and replace them with notched 4x6's. The longer of the two beams was also staggered when we put it together. This required us to pour concrete footings where 3 splices came together. ​ Processing img iv2348rugto31... ​ Processing img bw58ojf6hto31... ​ Processing img vg0pxadbhto31... I had bought "deck tape" before we started... I obviously did not understand how much I actually needed. I put it around all the rim joists and some other areas (before we knew they had to be doubled up) ​ Processing img 5sn1y4kohto31... Most of the grass around the deck suffered during the project... oops We also had to install a ton of bracing for the picture-framing. Processing img 9av3d1eyhto31... ​ ​ Processing img 0jja89r1ito31... This was another annoying part of the project. When installing the hidden fasteners, the gap between the boards was too much. Looking back at it now, I believe because we left the boards out in the summer sun all day, the boards expanded and that is what caused our problems. I called customer service at Fiberon and all they told me was I was doing something wrong. They asked for a handful of specific pictures and after emailing them those pictures, I never heard from them again 😐 I ended up getting Simpson color-matched hidden screws and installed all of the boards using those. I was able to set the correct gap and you really don't notice the screws. All in all, I love the Fiberon composite decking, but their customer service needs improving. Hopefully, the deck lasts for the 25 years it is guaranteed for. submitted by /u/HODL90 [link] [comments]

from DIY https://ift.tt/2lNp9Tx