How to Build a Deck: Video Series

When building a deck, have the right tools such as a flat bar to pry up slim wood, a crowbar to pull up large wood pieces and a skill saw for cutting planks. Keep the right deck building carpentry supplies ready with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

Look for wood rot when doing a deck assessment and place galvanized metal brackets on deck support bottoms. Extend the life of a deck by using the right wood, brackets and treatment with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

Demolition prep for tearing down a deck and building a new one starts with taking the railing and decking off and using a Sawzall to cut the joists in half and pry them down. When demolishing an old deck, use the right tools and safety equipment with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

When preparing to build a deck floor, getting all the screws out first makes demolishing the old deck a much simpler task. Make the task of demolition an old deck simple and easy with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

Burning old wood is permissible with a fire department permit when building a new deck, but the wood has to be raw and untreated. Whether dealing with raw wood or painted and treated wood, learn how to dispose of it properly with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

Building a deck can be done with several types of wood for the floor planks including cedar, mahogany and driftwood. Depending on the area of the deck, make sure to get the right type of wood for each part with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

Use a traditional board when finishing a deck and cut out notches for the four-by-four posts on each end of the built deck. Cut and measure wood correctly when completing a deck with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

When building a deck, 20-year composite made from plastic, clay and UB inhibitors are efficient materials for rails and don't need to be measured or screwed in together. Constructing a new railing for a deck should be simple with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

Cut both railing pieces at the same time for a newly built deck and check everything twice to make sure measurements are correct and holes line up. Making a mistake when building a deck can be disastrous, so make sure everything is in order with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

When installing a rail on a newly built deck, put the four-by-four fastened securely into the facial boards and drop the post sleeve over it. Make sure a new deck's rail is sturdy and well done with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

Attaching a rail when building a new deck requires sliding the spindles into the holes on the railing holder and carefully lifting the railing and attaching with rail sleeves. Make sure the rail for a new deck is the right height with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

When building a deck, try to use metal galvanized brackets to lift deck supports off the ground and prevent water from being leeched by the wood. Install deck supports to withstand wood rot and stay within city code with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

When creating stringers for a newly built deck, measure the first step to the last step and calculate how much space should be between each step. Stringers can be easily built by having the correct measurements with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

When building a deck, stringers need to be measured and leveled before setting them in concrete. Measure the stringers, facing plates and steps for stairs leading to a new deck with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

When building a deck with steps, stringers are used to support deck stairs and can be cut out of two-by-10s, with outside stringers cut with two two-by-12s. Learn how to make stairs for a new deck look as good as possible with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

When finishing stairs while building a new deck, be sure that treads and risers face the correct way and fit properly. Avoid having treads and risers shift when putting screws in on a new deck with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

When designing a new deck to build, consider expanding and adding improvements, like putting metal galvanized brackets on posts to keep water from seeping and creating wood rot. Improve the look and feel of a house by adding a functional deck with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

Be sure to split the measurements for stair railings on a newly-built deck to consider the four-by-four post that is going in the middle for support. Posts are important for stability on deck stairs and can be easily constructed with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

When building a deck, stair railings should be slanted when cut to go down the stairs and can be cut three at a time on a miter saw. Learn to cut properly fitting stair railing spindles with a miter saw from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

Line up the stair railing to make sure it's even when building a new deck, and screw it in until it is secure and safe. Discover how to place a stair railing with a visual example from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.

Finishing the stairs when building a new deck requires lining up the stair railing to make sure it's even and securing it with several screws throughout the railing. Complete the last part of a deck and relax with tips from a deck repair specialist in this free video on home improvement.