How to Lay out Deck Stringers

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Any deck you add to your home must be fastened securely by a deck stringer. This is piece of lumber attached to the house. There are a few ways to ensure a smooth finish you lay out the groundwork to attach the deck stringer to your home.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Check that you have the right size of wood in the planning stages. Lay it out and ensure you have the correct thickness of lumber necessary to hold such a heavy addition. Make sure it is long enough to fit your entire deck.

Step2

Ensure proper fitting against the side of the house. The deck stringer is designed to give the joists a place to attach toward your home. Attach the stringer exactly next to the house to prevent any water from entering to warp the wood and to ensure the base is a good foundation.

Step3

Level the ground that your deck stringer is going under. While the stringer will be attached to the house, the remainder of the deck pieces must have a firm, level ground to stand on. Anything extremely hilly or with holes can create bigger problems in the future.

Step4

Lay your lumber out squarely and flush with the house that you're building it on. It's important to see everything laid out to make sure your lumber fits together properly before starting the construction of your project.

Step5

Always use proper materials to attach the deck stringer to your home. This is the base of your new deck and needs to be affixed firmly with the correct hardware. Anything too small or thin won't hold; something too big may be bulky or cumbersome.

Tips & Warnings

Ask an expert any questions you have. It never hurts to ask, and you may just get some insider information that can help your new deck look even better.