How to Build an Inexpensive Wood Deck

A deck makes a nice addition to a home, creating additional outdoor living space. A homeowner may be a little wary of undertaking a deck project, as pouring a concrete foundation may be an intimidating plastic timber dash productstask for him. Using deck blocks practically eliminates this portion of the job and puts it well within the reach of anyone with average do it yourself skills. One of the most important aspects of building your deck is that the piers, or posts, do not shift once they are in place. The structural integrity of the deck depends upon strong, solid piers. Without a stationary structure, your deck could end up slanted or worse. With a few steps, you can ensure that your deck will be standing for years to come.Cut 2-by-6 boards with a circular saw to match the dimensions of the sides steps to building a outdoor pavilion of the deck. Cut two boards for each side of the deck. Wear safety goggles when sawing the wood.Nail the two boards for each side together with galvanized nails. Assemble the boards into a rectangle and nail them together. This is the outer deck frame.Place the frame onto the concrete blocks. Measure the frame diagonally in both directions. If the dimensions match, the frame is square. If not, cut a spacer that fits inside the frame from a 1-by-4 board. Place it inside the frame, and measure again. Move the spacer inside the frame until it is square.Screw angle brackets to the inner corners of the frame with galvanized screws. The brackets strengthen the corners of the frame.Nail galvanized joist hangers to the inside of the tiles terrace floor design framing along the long edges of the frame. Use galvanized nails, and place the joist hangers 12 inches apart at most.Cut the joists for the deck, using 2-by-6 boards. These are the beams that support the decking.Install the joists by sliding them into the joist hangers and nailing them to the hangers with galvanized nails.Measure the distance across the top of the deck perpendicular to the joists. Cut decking boards to fit that distance.