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.

DIY Curved Floating Deck

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.

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Top Deck Building Projects

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

How to Make a Quick & Easy DIY Backyard Deck For Grilling

We are excited to bring you this quick and easy DIY backyard deck. It's the perfect place for some summer grilling. This is not a complicated build, and it also did not take too long to make.

Chas

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

Hello again from sunny Malaysia :) Just wanna say a big thank you to all who have visited and liked and commented on my 2 previous projects!! :)This is to be my 3rd makeover of the year! And this time, I have chosen to do an outdoor space. Living on the 8th floor, our only outdoor space within the apartment would be the balcony. We have a relatively small balcony, probably about 12 feet x 5 feet give and take. It's a space that I seldom use because there was nothing there. Well we had a table and some plants but that was it ... a neglected space (for me at least). The husband likes to use it in the night when it's cooler outside. It is his go to space to write. It's a really lovely space if I think about it, because we get to watch the most beautiful sunsets during the evenings from this balcony. Don't know why I didn't give it more attention earlier. Anyways, it's time to do it up and give the family a hangout space, watch the sunset and give my husband a nice little nook to write surrounded by beauty instead of dying plants ((O_O))SO here is the Before and After photo of our balcony, and after that I will give you a brief description on the whole makeover process and what projects I did to enhance this outdoor space.*you can see the full process in the video link at the end of this article.

Winnie Luthien Thye

Pallet Deck With Fire Pit

I am totally exhausted so apologies for not posting sooner. The weather is wet and freezing here which has also held things up..Its now 1am so forgive me if this is lacking any info , any questions and il try my best to reply asap.I wanted something in my garden to sit my pallet bench on cos it kept getting full of crawlies!, that's how this started..I could not afford proper decking boards or decking tiles but the tiles gave me the idea to use pallets instead.

Zee

Outdoor Sitting Area

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

Heatherelzey

Cantilevered Pergola -- DIY Designed and Built

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

Sue P.

Nautical Rope Railing

HEY! I am going to show you how to build a super cool rope railing. I am building it on a new deck but it could easily be done on an existing one, just pop your old railings off and replace them with this one! Or upgrade your dock with this marine feel. Hope you like it!

Denika Coakley

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 gray skies and swirling snowstorms, you are chomping at the bit to set out the patio furniture, reflower your planters and chill out in the warm sun on the deck.

Best Of Hometalk

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 needed to be taken down. He said, ok what were you thinking? I replied. Well, I was thinking about chicken wire. Then there was silence on the other end of the phone. In this tutorial, I am going to show how to build custom railings using unconventional materials.

ToolBox Divas

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! Whether it's indoors or out, a boat or a truck, the initial purchase must have accessories. Very well, then. If you decide to have a pond built, just remember, I told you so!

Patty Anderson

DIY Project: Deck Planter Boxes

We built our own custom wood planter boxes in a day for a fraction of the cost of pre-made planter boxes. Complete project details can be found here http://www.ourlakelife.com/2012/06/01/diy-project-deck-planter-boxes-part-1/

Maria S

How to Make a Quick & Easy DIY Backyard Deck For Grilling

We are excited to bring you this quick and easy DIY backyard deck. It's the perfect place for some summer grilling. This is not a complicated build, and it also did not take too long to make.

Chas

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

Winnie Luthien Thye

Pallet Deck With Fire Pit

Zee

Outdoor Sitting Area

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

Heatherelzey

Cantilevered Pergola -- DIY Designed and Built

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

Sue P.

Nautical Rope Railing

Denika Coakley

13 Creative DIY Deck Railing Ideas for Awesome Outdoor Fun

Best Of Hometalk

Simple Easy Custom DIY Deck Railings

ToolBox Divas

A Floating Deck for Your Pond

Patty Anderson

DIY Project: Deck Planter Boxes

Maria S

Deck Building Videos

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

Nautical Rope Railing

Denika Coakley

13 Creative DIY Deck Railing Ideas for Awesome Outdoor Fun

Best Of Hometalk

Simple Easy Custom DIY Deck Railings

ToolBox Divas

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 enjoy it longer in your season, because here in Nova Scotia were only willing to swim out to the dock for 3-4 months of the year. This way we can enjoy it even in the cold weather, with a blanket and a glass of wine you turn your deck into a year round pleasure!

Denika Coakley

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Deck Building Projects

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

Our Pool Deck Project

We hired professionals to install a used pool we bought from my sister, then designed and built our deck!

Traci V

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 that was hidden under the deck stairs. I am finally getting around to sharing how we created a hinged platform that hides our equipment, while still allowing us to have access to it daily.

Mary from Real Girl's Realm

How To Attach Your Dock to Land

Denika Coakley

A Simple Pergola For a New Front "Deck"

Our house is a simple 1961 design. But we wanted to give it a little face lift :-) After a lot of drawings, looking at other's designs, and a lot of 'contemplating' we came up with a simple little pergola to top the newly constructed deck/step. UPDATE: Spring of 2015 the front door was painted to match the pergola's color. It all works together more beautifully now. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/exteriors/new-paint-to-the-rescue-8267995?scid=1306003 (Keep in mind, the 'after' color photos are taken in spring before the perennials are up. It's going to look prettier when they're all grown in again. :-) )

Other

More

Build the Deck of Your Dreams

Make a plan

Measure the space

Create a strong foundation

Lay down the deck

Protection from the elements

Doors & Windows

Fire Pits

Furniture

Planters

Raised Garden Beds

Sheds

Shelves

Walls

Doors & Windows

Fire Pits

Furniture

Planters

Raised Garden Beds

Sheds

Shelves

Walls