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| This view shows the first of the posts in position and the section frames in the foreground. Once the first section is mounted to these posts the next two posts will be cut to assure a level surface is maintained. |
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| Dek-Blocks are in relative position. Each needs to be final positioned and leveled. There is no need to have them at the same level as their length will be determined to assure a continued level surface. |
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| Materials were positioned on the job to facilitate the use of the shade as a fabrication location. |
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| The completed 16 sections for the perimeter deck are stacked on the remaining 16'x2"x6" material. The sheet of plywood serves as the "jig", an outline of a section is penciled on its surface. As an assembling base it facilitates consistent construction of the sections. |
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| Views of the remaining material. |
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| Views of the remaining material. |
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| Views of the remaining material. |
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Day 5 (July 3rd):
Here are the photos of the day's efforts. All I wanted to be sure of was that the my previously built sections would fit around the pool. This also included positioning the Dek-Blocks to support the sections. |
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Day 6 (July 5th):
Started about 9 AM. The goal for today was to erect 4 or 5 sections and cross brace them. As the sections were elevated upon the 4x4's we needed to assure that the posts were cut to give a finished height 1/2" below the lowest part of the pool's post caps. This effort started out slow until I was sure that all aspects were being considered before I fixed the first section to its 4x4's. That done, it was determined that each inside post needed to be 14 1/2" below the peak of each pool post. This would result in the needed finish height. As I cut the posts to support the following sections and the section were fixed into place, I checked for level. So far so good. |
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| Four sections were set and the cross bracing was completed. As hoped for, the cross bracing really made things rigid. |
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Day 7 (July 10th):
Today I have two helpers. |
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| Here you can see the decking on the first three sections. It took a bit to figure out a process to cut the planks to fit each section and to assure that the planks for the next section would butt up tightly. But the time was well worth it! This effort will result in a very professionally looking custom deck. |
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| We will need to add a support block between the inner most deck board on each section and the pool's perimeter to support folks weight should that area be stepped on. |
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| As the decking material was added I continued to erect sections. Cross bracing these sections will follow later. |
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Day 8 (July 11th):
It became obvious yesterday that using 2"x6"x16' material was resulting in too much waste. We moved to 12' lengths. |
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| We completed the erection of the final 5 or 6 sections. |
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After finishing the erection of the 16th section, we spent a bit of time discussing ideas for the design of the section that will encompass the pool's pump. We want to be sure that access to the top of the skimmer and to the in-line chemical cartridge will be easy. We also thought we needed to consider the seasonal task to removing the pump and filter for inside winter storage. |
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| We finished the day by completing the cross bracing for the erected sections. |
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Day 9 (July 15th):
Decking of the final 7 sections was completed. Knowing that the temperature was to reach the high 80's or low 90's, we left home about 5:30 AM. By the time we set up at the site it was probably a bit after 7 AM. |
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| When we finished this section it was after 11 AM and we were cooked. |
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Day 10 (July 16th):
Again the temperatures were predicted to be in the lower 90's so we jumped right in at 7 AM. We first installed the last deck board (closest to the pool) on all 16 sections that were completed. |
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Next we had to build the final 4 sections.
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This was the final section. This needed to be cut to fit and, as it will cover the skimmer, it had to be custom designed.
Final measurements is being taken for the framing needed to carry weight on either side of the skimmer.
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Here's the final framing design for this section.
As can be seen, the skimmer sets higher than what the final decked surface will be. When this section is decked a cover is to be designed for the skimmer.
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We pulled the pump and filter unit away from the pool. The in line canister's height is such that it too would be above the decked surface.
More later on where this unit will finally set relative to the completed decks.
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| It's now about 1 PM. We're cooked! But before we leave we needed to provide access to the pool.
A ladder is set beside a decked section to provide egress from the pool. Just to the right you can see a 4x4 post that we mounted to the side of the deck. Part of the pool ladder can be set up beside it to provide temporary access to the deck.
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Plywood was attached and then cut back to the perimeter for a stepping area when coming out of the pool.
Tomorrow we deck the final 4 sections and do some trim work.
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Day 11 (July 17th):
The decking is complete on the pool's perimeter deck! Temperatures in the 90's again today. |
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| We modified the pool ladder to work on the deck by cutting the outside legs to length and putting a brick inside the last pool side step. In these photos you can the blocking that was added under the pool's perimeter flashing to support stepping on the flashing. |
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| To provide access to and protection for the skimmer a frame was designed and cover with a finger hole. |
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| Hand railing around this phase will be next. 4x4's will be fashioned to mount at the interface of the perimeter's sections. Details will follow. |
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July 19th):
Picked up 8 ea 4"x4"-8' treated posts locally for the perimeter deck's hand rail system.
(July 20th):
Cut the 8' pieces in half and then cut out an 162 degree chunk by passing the 4' sections through my radial arm saw twice. Each pass made a 9 degree cut half way into the post along one edge.
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| These posts will be drilled and mounted using 3/8"x6" galvanized lag screws with 3/8" galvanized flat washers. |
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Day 12 (July 22nd):
Forgot to take photos after we set 15 of the sixteen prepared posts. All the deck surface notches were cut, the posts were cut to 42" and secured with 3/8"x6" galvanized lag screws after pre-drilling. We used an electric impact wrench to drive the lag screws.
Day 13 (July 24th):
Using 2"x6" material for the laterals and 5/4"x6" for the topping, we installed the hand railing. We held the bottom lateral up 3-1/2" to make it easier to clean the deck surface of leaves, etc.
We installed spindles in the first two sections before we stopped for the day. Here we decided on a 4" spacing, so we would mark the center of the bottom lateral, place the first spindle there, plumb it and attach it with a single #8x2-1/2" screw top and bottom. We had cut a length of 5/4 board down to 4" and using it as a spacer, ran the remaining spindles to the left and right of the initially installed center. Spacing was such that the final spindle in each section is installed tight to the post.
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| We did not install the laterals in those sections of the perimeter deck that will interface to the main deck. Decided to wait until we see how we want that to look. |
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| Here's a closer view. The shadows kind of throw perceptions off a bit, but that the 3-1/2" space below the bottom lateral. |
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| That's a 5/4"x6" top rail with a 2"x6" top and bottom lateral. Remember we have twenty sections around this deck, so those cuts are all 9 degrees. The top was held 1/4" inward from the top lateral. |
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| We liked this appearance better than without the bottom lateral and carrying the spindles to the outside of the deck's surface. It meant another 2"x6" was needed in each section (a total of 8 more 12 footers), but we felt it was worth the look and convenience. |
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Day 14 (July 25th):
Was by myself this day, so all I got done was seven more sections of spindles. The lengths were not consistent, although we all thought they should have been. But remember this is pretreated lumber and from stick to stick, interesting variations in dimensions are to be found.
We measured the lengths that would be needed at three points within a section, each end and the middle, determined either an average length or used the shortest length. Variations ran to 1/4" within each section.
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Day 15 (July 27th):
Today I finished the three perimeter pool sections with spindles.
This has turned out looking really good! Had a couple of the neighbors stop by and comment on how good looking this is turning out. (Who doesn't like praises? Just too bad my help wasn't here to share this bit of limelight.)
Next was to set out the Dek-Blocks for the main deck. The challenge is to decide where to interface with the perimeter deck. Considerations include relationship of the pool to the house, "traffic" flow from house to main deck to pool, aesthetics of the overall project and, most importantly, what does the owner want.
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| Here is a rough layout. Getting a feel for potential perimeters primarily. The blocks will be on 22" spacing as we will run the decking diagonally. This will permit single deck boards, no butts will be needed. Cleaner look, simpler install. Only requires 5 Dek-Blocks©, one 2x6x10 and one 2x6x12 more than original plan. |
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| In the lower right corner of this photo is another area we plan to change. The main deck will interface with the perimeter deck at a right angle at this point, no 45 degree angled corner here. |
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Notice that we will need two more sections of the perimeter deck's hand railing (got to add one more post to carry last section).
Another angle to see this change.
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| Stepping back you can see to the right of the Dek-Blocks the edge of the patio blocks... we'll leave that corner a 45 degree. |
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| The line of blocks straight ahead will have the deck surface extending one foot to their right, making a tie to the perimeter deck's hand railing easier. |
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And now from this angle...
The stairs to the main deck will run along the left side (as seen in this shot) with a top platform at the same level as the deck. At least that's what we are talking about at the moment.
Also you can see where the last section of perimeter deck that needs hand railing.
Another angle to see this change.
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| We have lots of material on site. Hate to have to stop and run to the lumber yard for another stick. Once done, excess will be returned for credit. |
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Day 16 (Aug. 1st):
Heat and availability of an extra set of hands delayed return to the project until today, although the temperature was 95 degrees, I did have someone available.
As advised by Deckman (the handle used by those at Dek-Block that answer web based questions), we established the position of the first Dek-Block off one corner of the interfacing decks. We then final set the four longest rows that consisted of five blocks.
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Our goal for the day was to establish Dek-Block positions relative to he pool's perimeter deck and to cut and set as many leveling posts as we could.
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All of the 2x6's seen in these photos are temporarily attached to assist in confirming that this section is squared up and to give a level line for the cutting of the 4x4's.
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| In the photo on the left, the distance from the top of the temporary 2x6 to the bottom of the pool perimeter frame 2x6 is 8 inches (5-1/2" for the 2x6 that will be top mounted to the 4x4's, 1-1/2" for the surface decking and 1/2" for movement). |
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Two more shots from different angles.
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| Next day's efforts will be to finish cutting the 4x4's within this initial rectangle. Then we'll jump off this rectangle and complete the remaining leveling posts. |
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Day 17 (Aug. 6th):
The heat finally broke in central Ohio and one of my original helpers was available. The goal today is to finish setting the leveling posts of the main deck. The remainder of the Dek-Blocks needed to be leveled also. We had an electronic transit available so we shot the posts that was set last Thursday and found we needed to make some corrections. After finishing that section, I leveled the rest of the Dek-Blocks and we shot the remainder of the posts, cut them and then re-shot them for confirmation. The posts are all within 1/16 inch of being dead level. |
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Next we wanted to get the 2x6 joists installed and found that the heat and sun had done their expected job on our lumber. Most of the sticks had some very interesting twists to be dealt with. We will most likely need to return some to exchange for material that can be somewhat controlled.
All of the 2x6 material was (and will be) attached to the leveling posts via 2 #8x2-1/2" screws as recommended by the folks at Dek-Block.
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The shadows of the late afternoon make it difficult is see some the detail here, but six rows of the main deck's area has been "topped out".
Tomorrow I hope we can complete the installation of the joist material and begin decking this section. Weather is to be cooled again tomorrow so maybe we can get in another long day.
We worked from about 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM today. Obviously we are not attempting to set any record. If we don't like something, we re-do it.
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Day 18 (Aug. 7th):
Today was a good, although another rather long day. We finished installing the 2x6 joists, the cross bracing and band boards. The main deck is now ready for the decking. |
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This view shows the cross bracing and band boards (the horizontal boards fastened to the ends of the 2x6 joists). Cutting the angles on the cross bracing needed for the 45 end of the decking took some time to figure out.
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| Here's a tighter view of that 45 end. The cross bracing to the left was cut to compound angle cut to fit on the back edge of that left post while the cross bracing to the right was cut to fit against the back of the right post. Just worked out that way. |
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| The cuts on these cross braces was very straight forward. |
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This shot was taken across the tops of the joists to show that spacing up to the bottom of the perimeters deck's frames remains consistent, 2 inches. Once the decking is on that spacing will be reduced to 1/2 inch.
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Another view of the cross bracing left with respect to the previous picture.
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| Cross bracing (lower boards) and bridging at the pools edge. Since we will be installing the decking on a 45 degree angle the bridging was added to support the deck boards that will extend under the perimeter deck. |
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This shot is on to the right of the previous picture. Bridging and cross bracing.
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| This view gives a better perspective of the size of the main deck. |
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| Take a look at how much the perimeter pools deck boards have shrunk. These boards were all clamped tight to each other when installed. We expected this extent of shrinking but still found it amazing. That's what 10 days of temperature in the 90's will do to pressure treated lumber!! |
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Standing on top of the joists... The horizontal board in the lower right of this shot will be removed before the decking covers that area. We wanted something in there temporarily to keep our 22 inch spacing of the joists.
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| This area is just screaming for decking! That starts tomorrow (I hope). |
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Day 19 (Aug. 8th):
Finally, we are decking the main deck! First thing we did was to go over the framing of the deck to assure that all joints were sufficiently level so as not to hold the deck planking up. So a little sander work was in order. After that was done we started laying down the deck boards.
The material for this part of the job has been on site for some weeks, most of which was 90+ degrees weather. So the boards had started twisting. We selected a very straight board to start with, got it set at 45 degrees and then ran the next boards off one side of it. These were 16 foot long and we were challenged to get these down tight to the next board.
Decided to stop and see if we could find a "board bender". This is a tool designed to assist in coaxing the boards into a desired position. It saddles a joist board and is designed so leverage can be applied to the side of the plank board forcing it in the needed direction. After four stops and a phone call, we gave up. Back on the site we ended up using a short crow bar's clawed end against the joist board and prying it against the plank board. This worked but required more effort than the board bender would have required.
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Taken at the end of the day, the shadows are hiding detail. Look closely and you will see that the left half of the deck is complete.
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| This is a better shot. The planking is being held past the band board 1 inch. This gives a nice finished look rather than cutting them flush. The material was installed with the extra length extended towards you in this shot then later the 1 inch was determined, chalked and all the boards cut at once. |
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I think you can see that the half inch space between the top of this deck section and the bottom of the perimeter pool frame is as designed.
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From another angle... Changing the perimeter deck planks to parallel to the pool's perimeter and running the main deck's planking on a 45 degree diagonal has been well received by all who has seen this project to this point. I think it has added a lot to the appearance of the surface.
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| From the edge of the deck where I am standing to the edge of the deck at the far side of the pool as seen here is 51 feet!! This is a huge project. |
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| There is about 12 more feet to be decked. I did about 14 feet today. |
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Another shot of the remaining deck work.
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| Of course Blackie wanted to finish the drink. Now was that pop or beer? Given his druthers, I think Blackie may prefer beer, I know the rest of us were ready for a cold one!! |
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Day 20 (Aug. 9th):
Short day, after all it was Friday.
Finished the main deck's surface and two sections of perimeter deck hand rail. Took some measurements for the stairs and platform that will run along the house side of the main deck. Also did a bit of thinking about the hand rail for the main deck.
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Now that's a decent sized dance floor!
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In the upper right area of this shot is one of the two sections of perimeter deck hand rail that we did today.
The stairs will run along the left edge of the deck as seen here. Looks like it will be 7 steps (12-1/2" tread with 5-1/2" risers) up to an area about 4 feet by 6 feet then a right turn on to the main deck.
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| The perimeter deck needs one more post and hand rail section as seen just on the left in this shot. |
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This main deck is not attached to the perimeter deck at any point. The main deck's surface boards are about a half inch below the frame board of the perimeter deck.
I'm interested to see how much movement we get by this time next year.
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| We all agree, this project has turned out with a great looking deck! |
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| Next trip will be to install the last section of hand rail on the perimeter deck and get the steps and platform installed. All that will remain after that will be the main deck's handrail. |
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Day 21 (Aug. 13th):
Short day, no assistance. Installed last section of hand rails on the perimeter deck. To plan the stairs and its platform, I took some measurements at that side of the deck. |
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Day 22 (Aug. 15th):
Goal was to get the stairs platform positioned, framed and the stair's stringer cut today. This was all accomplished, the stringers were stacked back to the materials area before I snapped these shots. |
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| The following photos were shot from the roof of the owners house. Actually, I thought of saving these until the project was completed, but they are too good not to share. |
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| We have worked out a bit of a different approach for the hand rail post positions on the main deck. Hope weather and assistants are good and available next week as that should complete the project. |
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Day 23 (Aug. 20th):
Today we decked the access platform, set the stringers and temporarily attached the treads. As you may be able to see, these stairs have an increased slope. We used a 5-1/2" riser and a 12-1/2" tread. Walking up and down these stairs is a real pleasure! |
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We also cut and set most of the hand rail posts about the main deck. We're still thinking about a good design for the hand rail for the right side of the stairs and how to tie it into its upper post (yet to be set). That post will also need to tie into main deck's hand railing.
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Day 24 (Aug. 21st):
Three on the job again! Today we finally remembered to put the cross bracing under the access platform and we then started to install the hand rail components. Ran out of appropriate material by mid morning, ran to the local Lowe's, got what we needed and returned to hopefully complete the installation of the 2x6's.
But with the rising temperature and that off-site break, we seemed to have gotten our brains cooked. Starting making stupid mistakes (primarily in the angle cuts) and decided to hang it up for the day.
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| Day 25 (Aug. 22nd): We completed the 2x6's except for the area about the stairs, saving that are for last. Next came the 5/4x6 top boards. We then finished three sections with the spindles. |
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| Rain is predicted for tomorrow and we all have personal tasks that need our attention. Monday will come soon enough. |
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Day 26 (Aug. 26th):
We have been encouraged by family and friends to start a deck construction company. So I took the day to work on start up issues. |
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We installed the spindles in the open sections.
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As the main deck's perimeter is finishing, the whole appearance of the project just seems to be taking on that feeling of a warm family area that promises an enjoyable time for all who will take a moment to relax. Isn't that the whole point to building a deck designed for your lifestyle?
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Day 27 (Aug27th):
Well, we thought this had to be a good sign, surely we could finish this project today. But the details of finish work proved to be more demanding than the hours would cover. We are getting down to such a confined area that the three of us could not work on independent tasks.
Tasks to complete: last section of hand railing on the main deck, final design and installation of hand rail for right side of stairs, hand rail installation on left side of stairs, install risers and treads. When listed out it does seems like a good day's work, especially when you want quality work.
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Here you can see that last section of main deck posts and hand rails has been completed. That involved removing the treads that we had temporarily screwed down previously, installing the three posts that support this section, installing the 2x6' laterals, the 5/4x6 top cap and finally the spindles.
We then installed the risers and the treads till we came to the tread that will carry the left side hand rail post.
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Next we positioned that hand rail support post on the left side of the stairs and worked out the angles needed for the 2x6's on that side.
Next the risers and treads were finished out.
For the right side rail we cut standoff blocking from 4x4 stock temporarily installed a 2x6 to confirm the placement of the blocking.
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We plan to return Wednesday afternoon to complete the hand rails on the stairs. Finally we will walk the project looking for anything that may need final attention. Missed attachments, areas that may need a bit of sanding to smooth out a transition, whatever.
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| Day 28 (Sept. 4th): Today we finished the project. And quite proud are we! The last task was to complete the hand railing for the stairs. This required a bit of design work. Take note of the detail shot. |
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We walked the entire project checking boards and screws. Since the material has dried considerable since it was installed, we found that about 20% of the deck screws could take about an eighth turn easily and the same for the lag bolts that were used.
The joints and junctions were sanded as needed and we called it DONE!!
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We plan to return in about 6 weeks and review the project again. We will then benchmark, or document the elevations at various points about the decks, using a point on the house as reference. Then we'll return some decent winter day when the ground is frozen and shoot those same points. And finally next year for the final data collection. This will give us direct information that we can quote when we present the idea of free floating decks to potential customers.
That's all folks!
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