| The Deck Building Ledger holds all the secrets to | | | | It is really important that you allow for a couple of |
| successful deck construction because it is the | | | | inches step down onto your deck from your door, |
| essential piece of wood that connects your deck to | | | | this is to help prevent rain water from running off |
| your home and from which all other measurements | | | | the deck and into your home. |
| are taken. | | | | Remember also, in the final part of construction, your |
| Choose the piece of lumber for your ledger carefully, | | | | surface decking boards will be secured on top of the |
| hold it up and look down the side of the wood to | | | | side surface of your ledger and joists, so: |
| check for irregularities like warping and twisting. | | | | - Leave a 1" -- 2" drop from your door |
| Choosing your Lumber | | | | - Allow for the size of your decking boards - that will |
| The ideal deck building ledger should be free of | | | | be another 2" |
| ingrown knots and flaws, or at least only have very | | | | - So, measure 3" -- 4" down from your indoor floor |
| small knots. | | | | level |
| The best flat board to pick out for the prestigious | | | | - And mark the wall showing the highest point of the |
| job of becoming a ledger is a vertical grain board - | | | | ledger |
| this is the wood which comes from the center of the | | | | A spirit level and a pencil are your next best friends, |
| tree and will show the center circles. | | | | you should not try to place a deck building ledger |
| Boards with an arc grain, known as a flat grain board, | | | | without them. |
| are from the outer sides of the tree and are more | | | | Measure and mark along the wall, the full horizontal |
| prone to warping or cupping over time. | | | | length of exactly where you are going to place your |
| If you are building a top quality deck made out of | | | | ledger. |
| only redwood or cedar then this doesn't apply to | | | | Fitting your Deck Building Ledger |
| you, but otherwise, please make sure that you are | | | | If your house is covered in siding you have to cut |
| only using pressure treated lumber. | | | | out the exact size of siding to insert the deck building |
| Many people who opt for a more expensive option in | | | | ledger AND include enough at the sides to also insert |
| lumber still use regular pressure treated wood for the | | | | the outer joists. |
| deck building ledger and the joists because these are | | | | Flashing should be inserted up under the siding and |
| parts of the support of a deck that will NOT be | | | | onto the top of the ledger, the join should be closed |
| visible. | | | | with sealant. |
| If this is the case, do remember to use the | | | | If your home doesn't have siding you don't need to |
| Redwood or Cedar for the Outer Joists and End | | | | use flashing but you should still use sealant to close |
| Beam, because although they form part of the under | | | | any gap between the ledger and the wall. |
| support frame they are visible when looking back at | | | | Galvanised four inch lag screws will secure your |
| your deck from the garden. | | | | ledger into the wall and give you a level and firm |
| Once you have selected and separated the best | | | | foundation to build your deck design onto. |
| lumber you should have choice pieces for both your | | | | Admire Your Work |
| ledger and for your beams. | | | | You can now stand back and admire the ledger |
| Positioning your Ledger | | | | attached to your house -- if attached at the right |
| The first step in building a successful deck is finding | | | | level and perfectly horizontal -- you have the |
| the right height at which to secure your deck building | | | | beginnings of a great deck design for your home and |
| ledger. | | | | it all starts with your deck building ledger. |