Top 5 Deck Building Mistakes To Avoid in 2023

The process of outdoor deck construction in Atlanta is not nearly the same as a decade ago. While homeowners now have endless design possibilities with new emerging technologies and materials, it is essential to have a good knowledge of the problems in deck building.

A poorly built deck is more prone to failure than a correctly built one. And it could be more dangerous for those people who use it. We’ll highlight some of the most common deck-building errors we see and share the solutions, so your next deck is safe and lasts longer in this blog.

Deck Building Mistakes Everyone Should Avoid

Failing To Install A Continuous Handrail on Stairs

We have seen that most deck builders interrupt the handrails with newel posts just for aesthetic and construction purposes. Although it may look beautiful from the point of aesthetics, it won’t give a good experience of grasping while ascending or descending the stairs.

The solution is to install a continuous handrail on any stairs that have more than four or four steps. It will support adults, elders, and children and help them ascend or descend the stairs.

Not Installing Hardware Properly and Using Wrong Fasteners

Incorrect fasteners in hangers are one of the worst mistakes in outdoor deck construction. Many deck builders use screws to attach the joist hangers, which is inappropriate in a deck construction.

Also, some fasteners need the correct corrosion-resistance rating before installation. So, it is essential to consider proper hardware with suitable buckles that help the structure stand without any falling issues. Or you can get it checked by a professional deck builder in Atlanta.

Installing Bolting Beams To Side Posts

Many deck-building services place bolting beams between the deck joining platforms, which might become a failure cause. The bolt will not properly shear, and the deck’s wood can easily shred with weight. Sometimes, the deck builders bolt deck beams to the sides of support posts. It can become a big mistake that results in greater loads to beam connections. And the wood around the bolt will get crushed and distorted after some time. Such a thing will result in a massive breakdown of a deck and a failed connection to the fixed joints.

The solution would be to use a galvanized steel post cap, which keeps the beam atop and supports the deck posts.

Incorrectly Attaching The Ledger Board To The House

It’s pretty common to transfer half of the deck weight to the ledger board connected to the house. It acts as a beam that holds thousands of pounds of weight carried by a single panel. Also, the ledger board attaches in such a way that it never pulls away from the house. If it falls, it can cause a catastrophic failure to the outdoor landscape design.

The solution to this problem is to attach the ledger board to the house using bolts. The fasteners penetrate entirely through the board, making a solid grip on the outer skin of the house. Attaching the ledger board using exceptional hold-down anchors that mainly attach to the sides of deck joists is also recommended.

Using The Wrong Deck Fasteners

No matter how you secure your decking, many of the best landscape designers in Atlanta use nail guns to fire nails through the wood decking to secure the joints. Although using a nail gun isn’t a bad idea, using the corrosive-resistant deck fasteners is essential. The nail quality of corrosion resistance also matters.

The solution to this is to prefer screws that perform better than nails. And the best part is that screws rarely pull out. We recommend opting for stainless steel fasteners. Or you can use double-dipped galvanized screws as a second option.

Conclusion

Building a deck involves many things. With a proper understanding of these mistakes mentioned above, you can save your outdoor space from falling apart. If you’re searching for an expert landscaping consultation in Atlanta, we recommend visiting Outdoor Makeover and Living Spaces. We believe they provide the best landscaping and deck-building services in Atlanta. Their services include building porches, roofing, kid-friendly backyards, and more. We suggest visiting their website for ideas that you can use to renovate and change the look of your outdoor living area.