Using that tiny L-bracket to attach a deck post to concrete is like using a piece of thread to hold a cruise ship to a pier. I want to build an 12x16 deck on top of an8x10 slab. Notice that these boards do not sit flush against the curve at all points (which is, of course, because they’re mounted onto curved concrete). Secure each length to the slab with concrete nails spaced approximately 32 inches apart and 8 to 12 inches from each end. degree in English/Technical Writing), and a lover of interior design. Anchoring your deck stairs to a level landing is important for long lasting stairs. How do I attach joists to the concrete? Attaching a wooden railing to a concrete porch adds a touch of elegance. Position your piece of pressure-treated lumber for the deck frame, aligned with your guide line. If you are planning on building a low deck or wood patio next to the concrete foundation(check out how to remove concrete slabs from patio), you might have an excellent opportunity to really solidify the deck frame by mounting it to the foundation itself. Apr 13, 2012 - Step-by-step instructions on how to install a deck ledger board to a concrete house foundation wall using expansion anchors. Temporarily secure the ledger board to the correct location against the concrete wall using concrete screws or temporary supports. The boards are secure, with their double wedge anchors into the concrete, to provide plenty of support for the deck frame. It's an easy project … Gap like a pro. Jun 15, 2015 - This diy step by step article is about how to anchor post to concrete. My proposed deck would be 350 x 370 with height from the slab between 17 - 18 cm so it stays flush with the brick and same level as my internal floor. Follow the entire process of installing a stainless-steel cable-rail system, including the construction of the accompanying hardwood posts and rails. In our case, we had to build stair railings and consequently we needed to attach post to concrete. Thinking of being your own builder? We hope you find this tutorial helpful. Here you can see the pencil guide line for the top of the frame lumber. The clamp helps to keep things in place, although you’ll still need to use some muscle to keep the board in place as well. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home! Other materials that you might need or find helpful are your pressure-treated lumber (this example uses 2×6 pressure treated lumber), a level, wedge anchors, a hammer, a ratchet, and a clamp. She thrives on finding inexpensive ways to DIY her own home into a stylish yet family-friendly space. In this project, we show you how to anchor post to concrete. There may very well be additional support. I have an old concrete slab in my backyard from an outbuilding that I tore down. My door step drop is 4 inches. If you are talking about using anchors to attach the composite deck boards directly to the concrete, don't do it. We show you how to build wooden post and how to attach and anchor to hardware post anchors. On this project, the 2×10 joists of the main deck frame sit just about even with the top of the foundation, and a landing framed with 2x8s sits atop the main frame, serving as a transition point between the lowered deck and the patio door. Many people are choosing wooden railings over iron because wood does not rust and it's easy to remove or replace. You’ll notice that the ends of these frame boards touch but are not end-to-end flush (as in, the ends aren’t cut at angles to join precisely with the neighboring ends). Wood is by far warmer a… Don’t worry about cranking it down too tightly, though. This brief tutorial will take you step-by-step through the process of mounting the outer part of a deck frame to the concrete foundation, including mounting a frame to a curved concrete step. Posted in How To, Tips, and Advice on July 27, 2017, Your email address will not be published. However, if you mustaccommodate a curve in your frame, such as at the bottom of curved patio steps, you’ll need to adopt a few different strategies. Learn how to use the deck ledger to determine the pier heights, a critical dimension in a grade-level deck. In this episode we show you how to lay out the ledger fasteners, anchor the ledger to the concrete foundation using a hammer drill and wedge anchors, and how to detail the ledger when it must be installed over basement windows. Fastening a Ledger to Concrete: The ledger is not only the structural connection between the deck and the house; it’s also what establishes the overall height and levelness of the entire deck frame. Technically, cement board can be laid over a concrete slab as the base for a tile installation. Slide the washer onto your wedge anchor, then thread the nut onto the anchor to hold the washer in place. Post bases, typically made from metal, attach directly to the surface of the concrete. There are more uses to concrete than many homeowners realize. 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Lay down 2x4's flatwise as foundation profile and connect the decking to that (let the 2x4's float free). Drill through the lumber and into the concrete with your rotary hammer drill, up to the point you’ve marked with tape on the drill bit. I hope this helps. Space your joists according to standard spacing codes for residential builds (no more than 16 inches on center). However, they are stable because the wedge anchors are installed at the point on the board where the curve starts to separate from the board’s back face. This is perfectly fine for a deck frame. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. A concrete slab provides a firm, stable base for pavers. Your email address will not be published. If you need to attach wood framing to a concrete foundation, use a wedge anchor if j-bolts are not already installed. What would be the best way to attach the posts to the slab? The part of the deck near the garage will be below the level of the garage mandoor. You might find a chalk line helpful as well, to mark your level line. Its my very first DIY project. ... You can put composite decking over a concrete slab. And that's a roto-hammer, not a hammer-drill, Hundreds of articles and videos by top deck-building pros on how to design and build a beautiful, sturdy, and safe deck. How to Pour a Concrete Slab: The Basics. Editor Justin Fink and builder Chris Aherns build a code-compliant landing for the stairs on this Project House deck. Attached Patio Covers can be attached to a concrete slab and the posts can be attached by .....>> How to Deck Over a Concrete Stoop | Video | This Old House . First, you lay the grid pieces down. The Complete Guide to Building a Hardwood Deck. I've used these for YEARS with great success. Do not attach decking of any type (be it wood or composite) directly to the stone - it will warp. Keep the pressure-treated lumber boards level with the steps (which, hopefully, are perfectly level themselves), and just work your way around the curve, marking where to cut each board length piece by piece. If the concrete flooring isn’t level, then you have to buy adjustable post … To calculate the length needed, figure that you’ll need 2-1/2” of the anchor into the concrete itself, then whatever length will go through your lumber (in this case, the true width of a 2×6, which is 1-1/2”), plus 1/4″ for the anchor washer and nut. Use a ratchet to tighten down on the anchor nut. Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Avoid DIY mistakes when building a deck over concrete. Fastening a Ledger to Concrete: The ledger is not only the structural connection between the deck and the house; it’s also what establishes the overall height and levelness of the entire deck frame. Use a level to make sure it’s, well, level. If you have to level a sloped site or bring in a lot of fill, hire an excavator for a day to help prepare the site. I've been advised that i could use H3 structural timber (140 x 45) as joists and lay decking boards on top that. Would it be wise to … The obvious solution, to us, was to replace it with a wooden one. First of all, you have to take a look on the concrete surface, as to see if it is level. Make sure the adjacent ripped joist is level. Install your sleve anchors. Simple math and accurate cuts yield a perfect set of deck stairs. Start your subscription today and save up to 52%. Begin by determining the height placement of your 2×6 pressure-treated frame piece. Besides being a go-to for foundations and footings, here are five other smart ways to use a slab of concrete. Hammer the wedge anchor all the way into the board. One of the best tools that can be clean all the debris out of crack is a stiff … Congratulations, you’ve just successfully mounted your deck frame securely to the concrete foundation, on a straight plane and/or curved sides! Holes for wedge anchors need to be cleaned (blown out) before anchor placement. Fastening to concrete looks difficult, but with the proper tools and techniques, it’s a snap. Can you put composit decking over a concrete slab… The first, and probably most important, tool that you’ll need access to in order to mount the deck frame to the concrete foundation is a rotary hammer drill. Be sure to keep the boards level, even at the connection points. Critical Deck-Framing Connections, Part 1: Attaching Ledgers, Mounting Deck Ledgers to Engineered Floor Systems, Ultimate Deck Build: Fastening a Ledger to Concrete, Ultimate Deck Build: Pouring Accurate Concrete Piers, Ultimate Deck Build: Building and Leveling a Beam, Ultimate Deck Build 2015: Framing the Deck, Ultimate Deck Build: Pouring and Finishing Concrete Slabs, How to Install Railing Posts for Cable Rails, Ultimate Deck Build: Cutting and Installing Stair Stringers, Ultimate Deck Build 2015: Installing Cumaru Skirtboards and Decking, Adding Fascia and Other Decorative Elements, Laying Out, Cutting, and Installing the Stringers, Installing Treads, Risers, and Stair Railings, Expert insights on techniques and principles. The bulk of the work for a new slab is in the excavation and form building. Drill through the lumber and into the concrete with your rotary hammer drill, up to the point you’ve marked with tape on the drill bit. In order to meet code requirements for strength, railing posts must be reinforced with the same lateral-load connectors used at the ledger. Brittney is a wife, a mom of four young children, a writer and editor (B.S. The concrete footer installed along the length of this fence accomplishes that goal and eliminates standing moisture at the base of the fence. Continue lining the lumber on the perimeter until they are the same level as the current patio you are extending, and make sure they’re level. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. After spending hours at local hardware store and massive research over internet here is the final result. I have enough info and help for this job, except can someone please advise the best way to support / lift the decking frame above the concrete slabs to prevent the frame from rotting due to water entrapment. 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With great success ( blown out ) before anchor placement that goal and eliminates standing at.... you can see here a well-tightened nut, with only a slight in! Press, Inc. all Rights Reserved Privacy Policy and Disclosure Update Privacy.... The Taunton Press, Inc. all Rights Reserved Privacy Policy and Disclosure Update Privacy Settings access, including construction. It wood or composite ) directly to the stone - it will warp decking., level how to attach a deck to a concrete slab tighten ; this is okay wall using concrete screws or temporary supports pier block with a layer... The very least he should have used this post base from Simpson Strong-Tie Update Privacy Settings onto the anchor hold... Successfully mounted your deck stairs to concrete your guide line and editor (.... Slightly as you tighten ; this is okay the deck frame job address will not be published screws your... Already installed it, and design features code requirements for strength, railing posts be...