Before and After: Installing A New Deck Near Asheville

I just finished building a new deck near Asheville, and it looks great!

Let's back up and take a look at the "before." This home was originally built without a deck, and just a simple flight of steps going up to the back door.

My first job was to dig a row of holes below the frost line, down to undisturbed earth. I filled each hole with 8 inches of concrete, which will serve as the foundation. The metal rebar coming out of the pad will connect it to a concrete pier.

Now I've poured the piers, attached them to posts, and connected them all with horizontal band boards. This is the part that nobody notices when you're finished... but it's also the most important stage to get right. If the posts and piers were just a half-inch out of alignment, there could be big consequences later.

Another important stage was hanging the floor joists. In fact, I was so busy getting it right that I didn't even take pictures. It was a big job, and I am grateful to Glenn Keeney for joining me on this part of the job. Thanks, Glenn!

After the floor joists comes the glory work: laying the floor boards. This is when it really starts to look like a deck.

I'm glossing over a lot of work here! I had to insert the deck boards below the siding and install vinyl "Z" flashing to keep water from backing up into the wall. I also had to add stainless steel flashing in the doorway. (Pro tip: never use aluminum flashing on decks. It interacts with the treated wood and corrodes.)

Even without the railings, it already lends itself to relaxation...

...but since it's high off the ground at one end, it really needs a railing for safety.

Here you can see me setting in the top railing. It's important to get this level, then sight down along the railing to make sure it's straight.

The railing is mostly on, and now we need some stairs so we can get up onto the deck.

This required digging another pair of foundation holes, then setting posts and stringers.

With the stairs in and the railing on, it's a beautiful place to relax on a shady afternoon.

The "before, during and after" photos show that the deck really improves the appearance of the home. It looks more proportionate somehow.

If you need a new deck for your Asheville home, please give us a call and we'll be glad to help you. We also repair railings and stairs, as well as installing gates and trellises.

Yes, I Want a Beautiful Deck!