Deck Layout

Published by admin on May 2, 2021May 2, 2021

Before building anything, lay out the site accurately so that you know exactly where the deck will be located. Start by installing the ledger and marking the joist locations on it. Then install batter boards—layout devices that are designed to hold the mason’s strings—at the approximate corners of the deck. Run level and square strings from the ledger to and between these batter boards.

• Attach the ledger board to the house. Then mark the deck joist and post locations on the face of the ledger
• Install batter boards at the approximate corners of the deck. Then attach a mason’s string to the ledger and one batter board.
• Hook a line level on the mason’s string to check that it’s level. Move the batter board up or down until the bubble is in the middle
• Once the strings are level, check for square by com­paring diagonal measurements. If these are the same (for example, in the image here, if AD=BC), the strings are square