Framing A Deck or Balcony

In constructing a deck, footings are very important as they provide the foundation that supports it. And the more footings are built, the more the deck will be able to distribute the load of live and dead weight evenly so that each footing will need to bear less weight.

Firm footings are also necessary when adding a balcony to a house. When built at the time of the original construction, the floor joists would be extended outside the perimeter of the walls to create the support for the balcony floor.

Decking Materials

When selecting the best material for your deck or balcony project, there are many different categories from which to choose. Most common decking material of choice is combination of pressure treated and red wood, which is strong and easy to install. Pressure treated lumber is usually used in the main structure of the deck and redwood to finish the outside look of the deck. Composite decking material is a blend of material, including pulverized wood and plastic, which can guarantee low maintenance and durability, with many manufacturers offering limited warranty up to 25 years. An alternative to composite is PVC or vinyl decking material, which has become recently quite popular. Some new decks are built employing Capstock decking material, a hybrid in which the composite material is enclosed in a thin layer of PVC which creates a harder and more protective shell. Just like PVC, hybrid decking materials offer less risk of stain, mildew, scratching and sunlight fading.