Original Deck

So, I discussed that my first project for spring would be our deck. In future posts, I will go into great detail about construction of the new deck as well as research. But I figured I would give you some history of our previous deck.

Our original deck was a *massive* 8x10. Actually, it was a good size deck overall. You could fit a table and chairs but no grill and not much else. While this isn’t a reason to tear down a deck, the rotting wood, untreated lumber and Carpenter Ant infestation really put the proverbial nail in the coffin (or in this case - the deck).

It was really bad. I am thankful that the person that previously built it did not attach it to the house for many reasons.

1. They used untreated wood and sat it directly on the ground, thus creating a feeding area within easy reach of the wood eating insects.
2. Supports (if you can call them that) sat directly on the ground, not below the frost line.
3. After the Carpenter Ants ate through the main supports (2x12), they sistered some 1x6 blocks on the bottom of the supports. Which provides no support, but gave them an area to paint and “look” nice.
4. I was really scared that it was going to just fall apart that I never let anyone on it except myself. The only thing holding it together was the 2x12 decking boards.

Here are some pictures of deck and destruction. That lean is not supposed to be there. If you look in the background, you can see that the insects have gotten to our fence as well (a future project).

First Post

You are probably wondering why I am starting a separate blog from my alter ego (http://tmvigneau.blogspot.com)? Well, this blog will help me get my thoughts together and all of the research I do in one location. I will even post some previous projects before and after pictures for all to see and critique.

K's Mama was doing a great job chronologically posting about our home improvement projects, but it was hard to find amongst all of the cuteness that is "K" herself. Also, this will allow me to go into major detail about what I did and why I did it. When I try to tell K's mama things in depth, her eyes glaze over of course and she says, "just give me the overview, I don't care about all of that stuff".

The latest project that we are thinking about taking on is a deck. When I thought about a deck, I thought "how complicated can it be"? It's not anything major, it doesn't have a roof, so there would be less snow load, live load and dead load to worry about. Slap some 2x10's together and some decking and call it a weekend project.

WRONG! There is FAR more to building a deck than meets the eye. I won't get into all of the details in this post, but be forewarned that their will be AT LEAST a dozen or so posts on deck building and the ideas running through my head.

Stay Tuned for more. There will even be "lessons learned" along the way or as I like to call them, "learn from my stupidity".