How to build a stable deck and a living privacy screen
In short: Rebuilding a home requires more than just raw materials; it demands precision engineering and strategic landscaping. From calculating the perfect stair rise to selecting fast-growing greenery, professional builders use specific structural and botanical techniques to ensure a renovation is both durable and aesthetically functional.
When constructing a deck, stability begins with the foundation and the frame. During a Rebuilding Together Boston project, mason Mark McCullough and his crew began by digging new footings that meet building codes. To ensure the stairs are sturdy, general contractor Tom Silva utilizes pressure-treated 2x12 lumber for the risers. This specific material choice provides enough thickness to prevent the stairs from wobbling or bouncing after the rise and run are cut. The structural integrity is further reinforced by installing joist hangers for code compliance and adding horizontal bridging, also known as blocks, between the joists to increase stability.
Complexity often arises when existing home systems interfere with new construction. In this instance, the crew had to navigate a split air conditioning unit and various wires located beneath the deck. To solve this, they constructed headers around the manifold, allowing the joists to hang from the header and create a protective box around the mechanical components.
A renovation's success also depends on the surrounding landscape. To create a natural privacy barrier from the street, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada utilized Thuja Plicata Green Giant arborvitaes. Because these plants were rootbound, the team had to loosen the roots before planting. For optimal establishment, each planting hole should be dug to a depth equal to the root ball, with a width double that of the ball. The process is completed by applying starter fertilizer and watering the plants to help them settle into the new soil.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Volunteer Day 3: Framing and Landscaping | Ask This Old House
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