Building a deck from the ground up requires a lot of time, expertise, and skill. But ultimately, what every professional needs to get started are deck building materials.
You’ll need dozens of different tools that are either essential, meaning you can’t build a deck without them, or they’re meant to make your life easier and save time – like a plate tamper against a manual ground tamper.
In this article you’ll find your complete deck building materials list that’ll smooth out your deck building process.
Let’s begin.
Materials For Leveling Ground
For floating decks, it’s mandatory to level the surface on which your new deck will go. But besides leveling, there’s also digging, measurements, and cleaning that needs to be done.
Let’s see what you’ll need on your deck building materials list to level the ground for your new deck:
- Shovel: You'll need a shovel to start digging. If you have a lawn, make sure you cut it first.
- Wheelbarrow: You'll need one to carry away all the dirt and keep your workspace clean.
- Tamper: You'll need it to level the ground and prepare it for placing your concrete deck blocks.
- Concrete: If you want to bury the posts in concrete, you'll need to mix concrete, pour it into the ground along with the post, and let it dry. Make sure you add hardboard shapes to your deck building materials list to create a perfect concrete shape.
- Gravel is also great to place on the ground to offer the deck blocks more stability.
If, however, you’re building a deck with two levels, you need much more tools and attention. Check your local building codes to make sure you’re not missing anything.
At Riverview Decks, we take care of your building permits and make sure your new deck is safe and up to the highest standards. We offer professional deck building and deck repair services in Knoxville, TN.
Frame And Decking Materials
If you chose a metal frame for your deck building materials list, all you need to install them are in the manufacturer’s instructions. Your deck builder will know precisely what’s the best way to install it.
If you’re building a deck frame from pressure treated lumber or another wood species, you’ll need several tools and materials on your deck building materials list.
These will be crucial when installing the railing materials, but also the deck material that you’ll choose.
We have a quick guide about deck framing, so check it out if you’re interested!
- Circular Saw: This is crucial whenever you're building a deck. It'll help you cut the boards to the right size with no effort. However, it's a heavy tool that can cause serious damage, so make sure you know how to use it.
- Chalk Line: Chalk line is ideal if you want uniformity and straight lines. It's a must-have in most carpentry projects. Colored chalk can stain your deck, so use white chalk.
- Tape Measure: You can't cut boards or work with wood without measuring it first. You'll need this tool the most, so keep it handy.
- Carpenter's Level: You want to make sure there's a slight slope on your deck, as this ensures drainage and keeps water away from your deck. A carpenter's level will help you create a slope, or avoid it and create an even surface.
- Power Drill: Between nails vs. screws, screws win by far. These are way better in securing decking boards and joist hangers. Besides, they won't split the wood like nails do. If you're working with a type of hardwood, like teak or ipe, we recommend pre-drilling holes first.
Note: If you have composite materials on your deck building materials list, remember that you’ll have to get the right size and finish from the start, as you can’t refinish or repair composite decking.
Materials For Finishing The Deck
If you’re building a wood deck you’ll need to treat the wood decking materials against the elements. While hardwoods require less maintenance and repairs, softwood deck boards like cedar and redwood decking (two popular choices for decking) will need a lot of care.
To finish up your deck and boost both its aesthetics and durability, you’ll need to stain and seal it.
Remember that before applying stain or any sealant, your deck needs to completely dry. When your new deck is ready, wait about two weeks to treat it with stain and sealant.
Let's see what you need to get started
- Paintbrush: For applying stain to hard-to-reach places like deck railings or between boards, a bristle brush or foam brush are excellent tools.
- Paint roller: To save time, you can use a paint roller to apply an even coat over larger areas on your deck. Use a paint dish and push the roller against it a few times to get rid of the excess stain and avoid drips all over.
- Painter’s tape and drop cloths: If you bought a solid stain with a bold or bright color, you'll have to protect the areas around your deck with either painter's tape or drop cloths. If you have a patio beneath your deck, you should place drop cloths on the patio to avoid staining it.
- Sprayer: A paint sprayer will save you a lot of time, but there are high chances that you'll overspray and create uneven coats of stain. If you prefer using a sprayer, make sure that you cover nearby surfaces and plants with a plastic sheeting.
Note: Composite deck building materials like Trex, TimberTech, or Fiberon requires little to no maintenance at all. It’s a manufactured decking material that offers higher strength and durability than wood, and it’s the top choice for homeowners tired of keeping up with the maintenance of their decks.
Conclusion
This deck building materials list included the most common tools you’ll need to build your deck. Your deck builder will most likely have all these with him at all times during your project, but if not, renting these can get expensive.
And if you’re planning to take on a deck building project by yourself, you should know that it’s not as easy as one might think.
Besides all, decks need to be safe for you and your loved ones. You can’t have the little ones running around barefoot on a deck full of splinters, and you can’t entertain all the people you want to invite on a deck that’s simply not safe.
Call us today at (865) 801-4545 and let’s discuss your upcoming deck building project, or get in touch with us by requesting a quote!