• Explore Projects

    How to

    • Build
    • Paint
    • Upcycle
    • Craft
    • Decorate
    • Clean
    • Repair
    • Tile
    • Organize
    • Grow

    Rooms & Spaces

    • Kitchen & Dining
    • Living Room
    • Bedroom
    • Bathroom
    • Craft Room
    • Laundry Room
    • Home Office
    • Entryway
    • Basement
    • Outdoor
    • Windows & Doors
    • Floors & Ceilings
    • Staircases
    • Home Tours
  • + Post Project
  • DIY Forum
  • Join Now
    Sign Up Sign In with Facebook
    Already a member? Log In
    About Us•Contact
  • DIY Projects
  • How to
  • Build
  • Decks

How to Build Decks

Are you thinking of doing your first DIY deck building project? Need some ideas and tips to get you started on the right foot? We've got you covered with useful secrets from our Hometalkers that will guide you through the process of everything you need to know. From video tutorials to top projects, this is your one-stop shop for all your DIY needs.

How to Build a Deck With Your Own Two Hands

Read more
How to Build a Deck With Your Own Two Hands

Build the Deck of Your Dreams

Make a plan

A deck is a huge undertaking and quite the statement in a home. Make sure to have a sound plan before beginning.

Measure the space

Measure how big you’d like your deck to be. This is essential to know how much wood you’ll need and what dimensions to work to.

Create a strong foundation

As with any structure, a deck needs to have a sturdy and sound foundation.

Lay down the deck

Attach each piece of wood to the structure of the deck, ensuring each is secure before moving on.

Protection from the elements

As a deck is exposed to all elements, be sure to apply a protective coating on top, such as polyurethane or polyuria.

More building categories

Doors & Windows

Doors & Windows

Fire Pits

Fire Pits

Furniture

Furniture

Planters

Planters

Raised Garden Beds

Raised Garden Beds

Sheds

Sheds

Shelves

Shelves

Walls

Walls

Top Deck Building Projects

Want to see some gorgeous deck makeovers? Find your inspiration here.

13 Creative DIY Deck Railing Ideas for Awesome Outdoor Fun

13 Creative DIY Deck Railing Ideas for Awesome Outdoor Fun

Nothing screams warm weather like sitting out on the deck. If you’ve been stuck inside, looking at...

Best Of HometalkBest Of Hometalk
Simple Easy Custom DIY Deck Railings

Simple Easy Custom DIY Deck Railings

I remember when I called my dad and said I wanted to change my deck railings. They were old and...

ToolBox DivasToolBox Divas
Deck Revitalization!

Deck Revitalization!

I am so very proud of my husband and I wanted to share! My husband was asked by his Aunt if he...

Mary CarlsonMary Carlson
My Bohemian Balcony Makeover: Built a Mini Deck, Stained & Stenciled..

My Bohemian Balcony Makeover: Built a Mini Deck, Stained &...

Hello again from sunny Malaysia :) Just wanna say a big thank you to all who have visited and liked...

Winnie Luthien ThyeWinnie Luthien Thye
DIY Curved Floating Deck

DIY Curved Floating Deck

We have had an area of ugly rocks and dirt directly in front of our house since we moved in over 7...

Pinspired to DIYPinspired to DIY
Cedar Deck Remodel With New Planter Box Benches!

Cedar Deck Remodel With New Planter Box Benches!

Our deck was starting to fall apart. The fir railing posts had some rot against the decking and the...

Home for the Harvest | Mary Jane DufordHome for the Harvest | Mary Jane Duford
Diy Back Yard Deck

Diy Back Yard Deck

Hey there Hometalk,We are are excited to bring you this quick and easy diy back yard grilling deck!...

ChasChas
DIY Inexpensive Deck Rails Out of Steel Conduit, Easy to Do!

DIY Inexpensive Deck Rails Out of Steel Conduit, Easy to Do!

A post on how I built inexpensive deck rails out of steel conduit. Have you seen the gorgeous steel...

GrandmasHouseDIYGrandmasHouseDIY
Pallet Deck With Fire Pit

Pallet Deck With Fire Pit

I am totally exhausted so apologies for not posting sooner. The weather is wet and freezing here...

Zena walkerZena walker
Blending Old Into New Wood, Deck & Stairs

Blending Old Into New Wood, Deck & Stairs

Our redwood deck suffered many Colorado winters with aging dignity. 25 years of Post season repairs...

Adele DuranGOAdele DuranGO

Popular Deck Building Slideshows

Slideshows are a smart place to gather useful deck redo ideas. Take notes!

15 Creative Deck Railing Ideas for Immediate Curb Appeal

15 Creative Deck Railing Ideas for Immediate Curb Appeal

View Project Book
11 Tips & Tricks for Making Your DIY Deck Look Amazing

11 Tips & Tricks for Making Your DIY Deck Look Amazing

View Project Book
Copy One Of These Lovely Lattice Ideas For Your Home

Copy One Of These Lovely Lattice Ideas For Your Home

View Project Book
13 Ways to Get Backyard Privacy Without a Fence

13 Ways to Get Backyard Privacy Without a Fence

View Project Book

Deck Building Videos

DIY deck building in video tutorial format. This is what you've been looking for.

13 Creative DIY Deck Railing Ideas for Awesome Outdoor Fun

13 Creative DIY Deck Railing Ideas for Awesome Outdoor Fun

Nothing screams warm weather like sitting out on the deck. If you’ve been stuck inside, looking at...

Best Of HometalkBest Of Hometalk
Simple Easy Custom DIY Deck Railings

Simple Easy Custom DIY Deck Railings

I remember when I called my dad and said I wanted to change my deck railings. They were old and...

ToolBox DivasToolBox Divas

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Deck Building Projects

We've gathered our best deck building projects. Find what you've been looking for.

#30DayFlip Dock Table Surf Board Gate

#30DayFlip Dock Table Surf Board Gate

Dock table from pallet wood and left over posts from old deck railing.
Our pool was being pushed
...

Ozzys GirlOzzys Girl
Hinged Cover for Pool Equipment

Hinged Cover for Pool Equipment

A few months ago, I shared our DIY Boardwalk project and had a lot of questions about the pool pump...

Mary from Real Girl's RealmMary from Real Girl's Realm
Amazing DIY Backyard Transformation on a Tiny Budget

Amazing DIY Backyard Transformation on a Tiny Budget

When I bought my house, it was every inch a fixer-upper. It had lived a maintenance free life for...

Single Girl's DIYSingle Girl's DIY
Cantilevered Pergola -- DIY Designed and Built

Cantilevered Pergola -- DIY Designed and Built

Read about our self-designed and built cantilevered pergola built for around $400.

Sue P.Sue P.
Replacing Front Gate and Walkway.

Replacing Front Gate and Walkway.

This fix was way, way over do. I dragged my feet long enough. So, let's get dirty!

MikieMikie
Deck Makeover - Big Change for 250.00

Deck Makeover - Big Change for 250.00

Chuck and I bought our first house together in April 2014 and it has been one project after...

Laura LanierLaura Lanier

Popular Deck Building Discussions

Our discussion board on deck building is a place to learn from other Hometalkers.

Are rubber deck tiles a good idea to put over an existing deck

DebDeb

Our deck is 30 years old but we can't afford to tear it down and start...

View discussion
View discussion

We used this to paint our deck flooring; BEHR Deckover..

Mar30549776Mar30549776

We tried to clean the bushes but the paint, which is quite thick when...

View discussion
View discussion

Self standing deck cover w/ PVC frame.

Cap9037234Cap9037234

I have a 10'x20' wooden deck behind my house and I want to put up sort...

View discussion
View discussion

Advice for staining/ sealing a wood deck for the first time?

Lynn LloydLynn Lloyd

Our deck was installed summer of 2017 using pre-treated lumber. So it...

View discussion
View discussion

Got a DIY Building Question?

Got a question about building a deck yourself? Let other Hometalkers help you out.

70

New Deck Building Projects

Here are some trendy ideas for what people are doing in the world of deck building.

Backyard Deck in New Orleans

Backyard Deck in New Orleans

Just built this 16 x 16 foot deck in our backyard NOLA home. 4 rows of red cedar planters for herbs...

Scott Allen PerryScott Allen Perry
A Floating Deck for Your Pond

A Floating Deck for Your Pond

You know it's true.....no matter what you buy, you then must have accessories for your bought item!...

Patty AndersonPatty Anderson
Pool Deck and Gazebo

Pool Deck and Gazebo

This is a before and after project I did with the help of my son . He bought the house and it came...

JohnJohn
Deck Revitalization!

Deck Revitalization!

I am so very proud of my husband and I wanted to share! My husband was asked by his Aunt if he...

Mary CarlsonMary Carlson
Square Deck With Seat

Square Deck With Seat

After we installed the pool in our backyard, we wanted a door leading from the laundry room to a...

Traci VTraci V
Outdoor Sitting Area

Outdoor Sitting Area

Change an old lean to into a nice sitting area for you and your gust.

HeatherelzeyHeatherelzey

Browse Deck Building Projects

#30DayFlip Dock Table Surf Board Gate

#30DayFlip Dock Table Surf Board Gate

Dock table from pallet wood and left over posts from old deck railing.
Our pool was being pushed
...

Ozzys GirlOzzys Girl
A Garden Space That Works

A Garden Space That Works

In the United Kingdom gardens are generally just gardens! Flowers, shrubs bushes and maybe the odd...

David SessfordDavid Sessford
Our cedar deck and backyard..

Our cedar deck and backyard..

My husband built this cedar deck after he finished the kitchen addition. I do the landscaping, he...

Linda MLinda M
No More Weeding for Me

No More Weeding for Me

I got tired of having to weed and add stone to our walkways from the patio to the pool, to the...

Bill RaglandBill Ragland
How To Attach Your Dock to Land

How To Attach Your Dock to Land

Hey Everyone! If you loved my DIY Floating dock, you'll love this HOW-TO attach it to land. You can...

Denika CoakleyDenika Coakley
April's Deck - A Project We Recently Completed for My Daughter

April's Deck - A Project We Recently Completed for My Daughter

Removing an old deck that was too small and rundown for the growing family

Wood's Home Maintenance ServiceWood's Home Maintenance Service
See more
AboutPrivacyTermsGuidelinesMediaSupportAdvertise
Follow us
© 2021 Hometalk.com By Hometalk Inc.