A DIY Weekend Warrior Builds a Deck

Simpson Sturdy-Tie Vendor Product sales Representative Andrew Slezak spent his weekends for the past five months doing work on developing the deck of his goals employing our Simpson Solid-Tie hardware. Discover what went into his Do-it-yourself deck build and how he just cannot hold out to expend extra time outside this summer season.  

It all started off when my fiancée, Hannah, and I moved into our new dwelling. The aged deck was outdated and required to go. As a semi-experienced Diy weekend warrior with one also several tasks at a single time, I informed Hannah, “Pff, babe, it’ll consider like a weekend or two. Three weekends at the most …” Properly, 5 months later, I can lastly say the deck venture was finished and Hannah is really energized.  

I have been with Simpson Powerful-Tie since March of 2020 and I can actually say that I like currently being portion of a organization that has fantastic values, offers you a operate/everyday living harmony and tends to make you feel like section of a local community. I have uncovered so substantially given that I have been here and have achieved a good deal of great persons. As a supplier profits rep, I adore interacting with customers and educating individuals about our solutions. So I was excited that I acquired the possibility to use a large wide range of our goods for my own deck construct.

For setting up this establish, I used our no cost Deck Planner Software™ to just take the vision I had in my head and provide it to lifestyle. I appreciated applying the software it was simple to use, and it gave me a good idea of what I required my deck to look like. I also had some outside aid as well from my uncle and Simpson Powerful-Tie reps (thanks, Jonathan).  

As for the make itself, I fixed all of the deck boards on my deck with our Quik Drive® automobile-feed screw driving technique. I was ready to fasten down 140 square toes of deck boards though standing up within just two hours in just one weekend. Without having the Quik Travel, it would have been at least two weekends of intermittent get the job done (let’s be real, in all probability 3).

For the paid qualified whose time is funds, applying the Quik Generate is a no brainer. I used our Outside Accents® products and solutions, which includes the ornamental publish caps (APDPC), T strap (APT), L strap tie (APL), flat strap (APST), and 90° angle (APA), for some crucial link details. The connectors built becoming a member of almost everything speedy and straightforward. I also applied the deck pressure tie (DTT2Z) to protected my guardrail publish to the deck.

The Out of doors Accents article bases (APB) are secured with the 5/8″ x 5″ 304SS Titen HD® bolts. One particular of the most typical failure factors on a deck is the guardrails, due to the fact they’re just lag-bolted collectively. On the other hand, my guardrails are amazingly stiff with the deck pressure tie connection, and I certainly really like it.  

Now that the deck is completed, we’re excited to have so substantially additional outside residing place to entertain with and to love. Developed with Simpson Strong-Tie components, I know this deck is risk-free, durable and developed to very last a very long time. My father jokes about how, if a tornado ever hit the household, the dwelling would be gone but the deck would not shift. As for my subsequent task, I have a few in the works. I’m doing work on making a retaining wall and parking pad. But what I’m most thrilled about making is a sustainable butterfly garden. So keep tuned!