Thank you for stopping here at DECKSTER.BIZ.  It is the intent of this website that you find the answers to your questions quickly, then stay and browse thru the rest of the site.   It would be very much appreciated if you would bookmark this page as well.  Other “how-to” tutorials planned for the future will include: Stairs, Roof Trusses, and Estimating.

The information contained herein is only generic and will not cover every circumstance.  The author of this website is neither an architect nor civil engineer nor structural engineer.  I did have the benefit of two mentors who taught me how to read blueprints, do drafting, estimating and how lumber is supposed to fit together and work together to create a finished project.  They were my father and grandfather, both of whom are registered architects.  In addition, I’ve spent 20+ years in the construction trades.

Contact your local building authority for information pertaining to local building codes and zoning requirements in your specific area.  It probably will be necessary for you to obtain a building permit.  They will help you and are an excellent source of free information.  Generally speaking, the more specific the local law, statute or regulation, the more likely it will apply to your efforts.  Each succeeding layer of government, from state to county to city to homeowners association, and the laws created by each layer, takes precedence because the laws become more and more specific.  This is particularly the case when the laws overlap.

Read through each section first before doing anything.   You must understand what you’re reading before you begin doing.  Please feel free to ask questions relevant to the text or picture.  If there’s a reference “button”, it’s because more explanation is necessary and it’s located elsewhere.  Please click on it and read that part also.   Yes, there’s a lot of dry reading involved here.  There’s a lot of information here that needs to be understood.   But keep in mind that the end result is a deck that you’ll be proud to say you built.

Please send all inquiries to Deckster2004@cs.com and we will assist you with any questions you may have.

Thank you again for visiting!