stretch out your deck of cards rather than put back it to create the outdoor entertainment space of your dream .

John Granen

Short on space foroutdoor amusement ? Put the demolition pecker away , because there ’s no reasonableness to pluck out a deck but because it ’s too small . Instead , consider extending your existing deck of cards to produce more way . Let ’s confront it , things can get a little tight once you bring a grillroom , an out-of-door dining table , and a chair or two . fortunately , extend your pack of cards is a comparatively simple operation .

wooden deck in backyard of modern house

Credit:John Granen

With the right tools , a help hand , and our stride - by - step pack of cards extension tutorial , you may increase the sizing of your deck over the weekend .

Before You Begin

There are a distich of thing to consider before getting start out on your DIY pack of cards prolongation .

deck of cards display panel that look bad on the control surface are n’t declarative of structural damage . In many cases , the harm is purely decorative and can be figure out by resurfacing andrefinishing the full deckonce the deck extension is thoroughgoing .

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

Materials

Instructions

How to Extend a Deck

Remove Railing

transfer the rail , balusters , and any exterior trim that might get in the way of the deck of cards propagation . If your deck boards are damaged or you plan toreplace any deck control panel , withdraw them along with any nails or screws .

Measure and Mark the Building

Most decks are bind to a houseor other structure , so , if you be after to increase the breadth along the social organization , measure out the distance you bid to expand the deck and check to make indisputable there is solid material to fasten a ledger add-in to , as well as no obstacles like water spigots , window , and drain pipes . Mark the measure on the bulwark with a pencil .

Cut and Attach Ledger

Cut the ledger board to the length , then enlist a helper to attend you in agree it in place . Place a 4 - fundament level on top of the ledger to ensure it is sitting perfectly level , then drill through the board and into the wall using a Freemasonry moment and a hammer drill , as the wall is probable cinderblock or concrete . fix the book of account to the rampart using concrete retardation bolt .

If confiscate your book of account board requires you to take away turnout , flash the top of the daybook using weewee - deviate flashing before reinstalling siding . This will prevent water supply from running behind the ledger directly into your rampart .

Measure and Cut End Joists

Cut your end joists to the proper length to extend the distance of your deck . The end joist tie to the end of your new ledger will be the full length of the deck , while the oddment joist on the paired side will be the full length of the deck minus the length of the exist complex body part .

Attach End Joists

bond the longer end joistat the last of the newfangled ledger using wood ass to toe the instrument panel . come in a bit keep board with its end resting on the flat coat at the free end of the joist . post a level on top of the joist , adjust the joist until it ’s level , then screw it into the scrap add-in temporarily . double this process on the other side using the shorter board .

To make it easy to set up the posts later on , set your temporary support back 1 to 2 feet from the ends of the board .

Cut and Attach Band Joist

step and cut the band joist to the full width of the pack of cards , using the existing deck and the new account book panel as your citation full point . Hold the dance band joist up against each end joist and screw through the band joist into the ending joist .

Check for Square

contain the figure for squareby place a large frame foursquare in each corner . Adjust the frame as needed by scooting the impermanent support with a power hammer .

Measure and Cut Corner Posts

Cut the turning point poststo distance . Find this length by combining the tiptop of the rail , the measurement from the top of the deck to the flat coat , as well as your local construction code ’s requirements for the amount of the post that should be underground . Remember , you could always cut more off afterward if you leave alone a little excess .

Bury and Attach the Posts

Check your local building codes for deck - station hole requirement . They will intend the necessary profundity of the hole , as well as if you should use crushed rock , cement , or both . Dig and set the posts in each corner following these prerequisite , placing the posts on the inside of each corner .

Once the post are in the reason , love through the outer joist into each post .

Cut and Attach Beam

bring down a 2x12 beamto the distance of the dance orchestra joist and screw it to the inside of the C. W. Post , iron against the bottom edges of the end joist . Depending on your deck extension size and your local codes , you may need extra place and balance beam to fend for the weight of the deck .

Cut and Attach Joists

switch off and bond your interior joists using your local building codification to shape your joist centers . Typically , joist will be pose every 16 inches . Screw through the band joists into the ends of the joists , then attach the other end using joist hangers on the daybook .

Replace Deck Boards, Balusters, and Rails

substitute the deck boards , balusters , and rails once the frame is complete .

Seal the Wood

seal off new woodusing your preferred deck sealer . For best results , sand and refinish the be deck boards .