Deck Replacement & Expansion Project

[Woody]

I've been working over the past month expanding our deck around our screened in porch. We really enjoyed the project and learned a lot. It's a low level deck with presented some challenges but I glad with stuck with the deck idea instead of doing some kind of hard scape pavers. We still might do some pavers at a later date.

[Pappy]

Looks good, Woody. I hope the small free standing deck I need to build turns out half as nice.

[bfrikken]

wow, that does look really nice.

[crokett]

Very nice indeed. I like the attention to detail with rounding off the corners of the decking. I also like the orientation of the boards.

[SARGE..g-47]

Nice job and looks great, Woody. I added one not quite that large off the back of my existing one. It's about 10' off the ground and working as a one man show.. a major PITA. I had to invent ways to hold things in place to attach. My wife suggested asking my BIL to help me but my usual stubborn answer was... H*ll no... I'd rather do it myself.

BTW... If she hadn't suggested it... I had intended to ask my BIL to help.

[lrogers]

Wow, that's nice and it looks solid as rock.

[Woody]

Thanks

Thanks guys - now to get some furniture for it!

[billwmeyer]

Wow

That looks great!

Bill

[John Hunter]

Looks very good!

[JR]

now to MAKE some furniture for it!

Fixed it for you.

Nice deck. It really completes that screened room nicely. Fire up the BBQ!

JR

[footprintsinconc]

sweet deck! look real nice.

[FL Buckeye]

Good lookin' deck, Woody. Nice thing about a low deck like that is that you don't have to put up railing. I am getting ready to put one up if the rainy season ever gives me a week of dry weather. I am debating putting the posts in the ground or using the Simpson Strong-Tie supports like what it looks like you did. Last fall I tore out a deck that had been up since 2002 with the posts in the ground. I was surprised that the wood still looked as good as new. There is no building code here so I can do it either way. Enjoy your deck this summer!

[pelligrini]

There is no building code here so I can do it either way.

Be careful with that assumption. Most states have adopted a version of the IBC. Where local jurisdictions haven't adopted a code the state law usually applies. Just because there is no enforcement (inspections, permits etc) doesn't mean it doesn't apply. I have to remind clients and builders that are doing their thing out there in BFE of that often.

Just an FYI, I try know the code and the law, but it's not religion.

I saw this in a quick search: http://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/Knowle...256DC60067E6DA

[FL Buckeye]

Be careful with that assumption. Most states have adopted a version of the IBC. Where local jurisdictions haven't adopted a code the state law usually applies. Just because there is no enforcement (inspections, permits etc) doesn't mean it doesn't apply. I have to remind clients and builders that are doing their thing out there in BFE of that often.
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Thanks for the insight. I do wish there were better codes and also zoning. But people here take their "rights" seriously and try to stop anything that controls their home, land or guns. So the Good O' Boys that want to stay in office don't allow much change. I think the only permits/inspections required in this county is for electrical and plumbing. My "codes" are higher than what is allowed here.

The following is from a newspaper dated June 10, 2009: A vote on Gov. Phil Bredesen's proposal to impose a minimum residential building code around the state has been delayed in the House.

The delay came despite public pronouncements of support from the Home Builders Association of Tennessee and the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance.

Several lawmakers representing about 60 counties that have no building codes have tried to exempt their districts from the bill.

Also I read that "Tennessee's codes apply as a mandatory minimum to all buildings except one and two family dwellings and licensed health-care facilities, except as otherwise indicated."

Sorry to steal your thread Woody. Did you have to get permits, have inspections, install your posts/deck to any code?

[dbhost]

I have an old deck behind my house, was there when I bought it in 2002, and from what I can tell has been there since the early 90s, a low level job that I find to be a PITA... Not that I hate decks, but mine is set up BADLY... Posts in the ground, no concrete etc...

Part of my workshop build is going to be either a matching level deck between the house and shed, or paver hardscape...

You gave me a LOT to consider.