It's in the way that you use it

Often, budget dictates how far a project will evolve. In past years, most homeowners wanting to build a deck simply chose the optimum size and style that best suits the outdoor space, and the costs of materials was warranted, in most situations. These days however, the size of deck may indeed be cost prohibitive — treated lumber is just so darn expensive.

My first deck build of the season occurred during the second week of May. It was a beautiful week to get started with my outdoor roster of projects. The temperatures were mild, and the sun was shining. After moving the stack of lumber to the backyard, preparations began to install the main framework and beams for the single-tiered deck. A 26x16-foot area of gravel which mimics the footprint of the deck surface was already laid down, as the deck was supposed to be bigger.

This was the first deck build booked for the 2021 deck build season, way back in October. Based on pricing in the fall the initial quote for a 26x20-foot deck fell within budget. The homeowner had also inquired about a pergola, but decided to purchase a pergola kit online, which could be built with greater ease and at a lesser expense than having it custom-made on site.

Once the lumber pricing increases began in March of 2021, it was clear that all deck would suffer, and either pay the price or make the appropriate changes to remain within budget. As such, my first client of the year begrudgingly decided to decrease the size of her deck surface by roughly 25 per cent, which in turn absorbed a good chunk of the 30 per cent increase treated lumber had undergone thus far.

On the first day of the build we had a brief chat regarding the ridiculousness of lumber pricing — she again voiced her dismay that the deck would be smaller than she had hoped, but my work began. The ledger board was fastened to the backside of the house, and the joists hangers were fastened using structural screws. The outer joists were set into place, and the two, double-laminated 2x10 beams were each positioned atop four 4x4 posts with adjustable deck jacks, that rest on concrete post pads. One by one, the 2x8 joists were placed until the entire deck’s footprint was created during that first day. Shortly before leaving for the day, I noticed the homeowner staring at the newly framed deck with a tiny grin on her face. She revealed to me that in hindsight, it may have been a good thing that lumber made the deck slightly smaller — the 16-foot depth actually seemed more than adequate.

On day two, the six-foot wide staircase, centered with the patio doors on the house, was constructed by creating custom stair stringers on site. Once in place, the top decking was gradually installed, working from the outside edge of the deck towards the back of the house. By that afternoon, the top decking was completed. Day three boasted the more ornamental aspects of the deck building process. The outer decorative stringers were affixed to either side of the stairs. The posts were cut to length and pre-notched to partially rest atop the deck, and run flush with the interlaced two-by-eight fascia that is placed between every post. When day three had concluded, the railings had been created, with only the balusters left to install on day four. At high noon, the deck was completed.

Upon completion the homeowner and I stood back and gazed at what had been created. Although I was thinking it, she was the first to say that the smaller deck was actually a better fit. Even when the pergola is placed there will be more than enough room. Although the increase in lumber prices meant the price tag was still the same, with this smaller deck design the compromise was easier to accept after realizing that in this instance, a bit smaller was actually a bit better.

BossEnterprise@outlook.com