Project #6: Deckage!

This is the back of la Casa before I started on the deck. The previous deck was probably made of fir, painted once, and left to rot. One of my conditions in the purchase was that the previous owners remove the old deck. The blueberries and arbor vitae gave me basic dimensions for the new deck: 12' x 24'.

Setting the Dek Block™ and test-fitting the joists. (The gravel I used to anchor the Weedblock™ and provide footings for the supports was a gift from my most excellent friend, Connie. Thanks Conn!)

The substructure in place and ready to go. The entire deck is made of C2-or-better cedar, with the exception of two bits of pressure treated 2x4 (visible here as the brown boards). The substructure is treated with a copper napthanate stain, which is why it's all green-colored. (This stain is nasty stuff by the way: If you get a drop on your arm, you can taste it in your mouth in seconds -- rubber gloves are a good idea.)

The decking in place, secured with Goldex 3" #2-square-drive plated deck screws. (I didn't want to have to spend a few hours every year pounding nails back in, and if I need to get at the underside of the deck, all I have to do is unscrew a few boards.) I let it dry and weather for a couple of weeks, then...

...I sanded the bejeesus out of it. (A fairly quick job with the unit pictured, which had the advantage of being able to get right up to the wall of the house, unlike a belt sander.)

The current state of affairs: The decking has been stained with Flood CWF/UV™ wood finish, and is now ready for a winter of Oregon rain. (I stained the underside and edges of the decking before installing it.)