Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter
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Old 12-23-2008, 02:27 PM   #21
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter





Only a couple of problems we've run in to. Since the deck can't be attached to the house in any way*, and it has to be so low*, we were worried about the 6x6 posts on the ends next to the house not being secure enough (wobbly). So now we're digging up the concrete, and going to bury and pour concrete around the posts (just next to the house).

*Has to be under 24" and not attached to the house. This way it is considered landscaping and we don't need a permit and is not restricted by zoning bylaws like setback.

Last edited by Winchester; 12-23-2008 at 02:32 PM.
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Old 12-23-2008, 09:27 PM   #22
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

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*Has to be under 24" and not attached to the house. This way it is considered landscaping and we don't need a permit and is not restricted by zoning bylaws like setback.
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Old 12-23-2008, 09:52 PM   #23
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

One quick thought- can you adjust your design to incorporate a few more angles- to make the structure more secure in and of itself? Kinda like it's all-tied into itself, and doesn't n"need" to be in the ground, you just do that to keep it from blowing away...

~Matt


BTW, Congrats on getting your guys to work in the cold! Mine seem to slow down & wear out fast!
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Old 12-24-2008, 01:04 AM   #24
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

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One quick thought- can you adjust your design to incorporate a few more angles- to make the structure more secure in and of itself? Kinda like it's all-tied into itself, and doesn't n"need" to be in the ground, you just do that to keep it from blowing away...

~Matt
Yeah, I was thinking about putting 45s from the post to the pergola thing in every corner. Only thing is the two posts that are next to the house aren't connected across the top like the other ones.




Quote:
BTW, Congrats on getting your guys to work in the cold! Mine seem to slow down & wear out fast!
My advantage is that they have only been working for me for about a month so they are still in the impress-the-boss mode. Plus, they both have kids to feed and it's christmas season.
Last edited by Winchester; 12-24-2008 at 01:15 AM.
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Old 12-24-2008, 01:07 AM   #25
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

Looking good, good job on the Sketchup Model, I bet you are starting to see that it is an invaluable tool for the contracting professional.

Keep us updated.
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Old 12-24-2008, 01:39 AM   #26
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

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Looking good, good job on the Sketchup Model, I bet you are starting to see that it is an invaluable tool for the contracting professional.
I need more practice, and more textures, but other than that it is great for a lot of circumstances.


More photos tomorrow!
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Old 12-24-2008, 02:23 AM   #27
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

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Since the deck can't be attached to the house in any way*, and it has to be so low*, we were worried about the 6x6 posts on the ends next to the house not being secure enough (wobbly). So now we're digging up the concrete, and going to bury and pour concrete around the posts (just next to the house).
Hey guy,

You first diagram shows an "L"-shaped arbor over a ~20" high ground level deck.
Your footings as dug were two separate lines (arbor posts and support posts for inner beam supporting deck joists, I assume.)
Your installed posts look like you're wrapping the arbor around both corners, making it a"U"-shape.
Your arbor end posts (closest to the house) will only have top support in one direction (knee bracing will do little for lateral wobble).
However, they will be locked into the deck for the first 20" above grade (your first diagram showed 2 steps to grade), plus,
they'll have a handrail and the arbor up top, plus, they're 6x6s - they won't sway near as much as 4x4 would.
I dare say if you block the posts properly in your deck framing, there will be minimal wobble and you won't need to bury them in concrete.

Which side of the middle post are you locating the steps down to grade?

Mac
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Old 12-24-2008, 02:46 AM   #28
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

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Hey guy,

You first diagram shows an "L"-shaped arbor over a ~20" high ground level deck.
Your footings as dug were two separate lines (arbor posts and support posts for inner beam supporting deck joists, I assume.)
Your installed posts look like you're wrapping the arbor around both corners, making it a"U"-shape.
*nod nod*
Quote:
Your arbor end posts (closest to the house) will only have top support in one direction (knee bracing will do little for lateral wobble).
However, they will be locked into the deck for the first 20" above grade (your first diagram showed 2 steps to grade), plus,
they'll have a handrail and the arbor up top, plus, they're 6x6s - they won't sway near as much as 4x4 would.
I dare say if you block the posts properly in your deck framing, there will be minimal wobble and you won't need to bury them in concrete.

Which side of the middle post are you locating the steps down to grade?

Mac
Thanks Mac,
We buried and poured the concrete on one of the posts already (the side with steps down to grade), the other one won't be as bad because the deck itself will be higher up on the post and the railing is short and attached to the post of the upper deck.

I think the steps will be on the side of the post closest to the house. In the diagram the ground is flat, but in the real world the lawn is sloped quite a bit, so we will end up with one short step and no lattice on that one side. Since we are so low on this end is the main reason why we were worried about the wobble.
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Old 12-24-2008, 02:56 AM   #29
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

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I think the steps will be on the side of the post closest to the house. In the diagram the ground is flat, but in the real world the lawn is sloped quite a bit, so we will end up with one short step and no lattice on that one side. Since we are so low on this end is the main reason why we were worried about the wobble.
And having the steps on that side mean you can't lock in the side of that 6x6 w/ even the handrail...ok, I revise my suggestion.
Oh well, now you know for future arbors - damn those learning experiences anyway!

Mac
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Old 12-24-2008, 03:03 AM   #30
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

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And having the steps on that side mean you can't lock in the side of that 6x6 w/ even the handrail...ok, I revise my suggestion.
Oh well, now you know for future arbors - damn those learning experiences anyway!

Mac
Ahh... Duh! Maybe we should put them on the other side. If we explain to the HO about the stability issues since the township require the deck not to be attached to the house. They don't have a walkway to the back gate and the steps will be mainly for the doggie to go drop some on the yard

This one is definitely a learning process though!
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Old 12-24-2008, 04:40 AM   #31
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

Keep us posted, and thanks for sharing!

~Matt
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Old 12-27-2008, 09:34 PM   #32
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter



Lookin' good!
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Old 12-30-2008, 04:12 PM   #33
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

Updates...
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Old 12-30-2008, 08:00 PM   #34
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

We started actually putting the decking. More pics tomorrow. Should be done the lower level tomorrow.
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Old 12-30-2008, 08:14 PM   #35
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

Looking good.

A word of advice from someone who's built his fair share of cedar decks in the snow - get yourself another tarp or two to cover the deck boards after you put them down. Just be careful as they can be a little slippery.
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Old 12-31-2008, 06:27 PM   #36
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter



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Old 12-31-2008, 06:30 PM   #37
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

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Looking good.

A word of advice from someone who's built his fair share of cedar decks in the snow - get yourself another tarp or two to cover the deck boards after you put them down. Just be careful as they can be a little slippery.
I think the snow is pretty much done for the year. We usually don't get more than a day or two, and then not much. We get rain all winter. We had some freak snowstorms and there has been over one week of snow, and quite a bit.

Global warming, what?
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Old 12-31-2008, 06:30 PM   #38
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

Looks good..........................Gapping/Spacing??????? Hmmmmmmmmm!
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Old 12-31-2008, 06:43 PM   #39
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

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Looks good..........................Gapping/Spacing??????? Hmmmmmmmmm!
Most of them are not screwed down yet. So there are larger gaps and smaller gaps in different areas...

My new lead carpenter prefers to lay them out four boards at-a-time without screwing, and then adjusting the gaps after. Something about not having to rip the end board. He's built more decks than I have so I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt this time...

if you started on the outer edge and worked towards the house, ripping the last board wouldn't matter, but whatever. We are not a deck company, we just like to work! I wouldn't mind doing a lot of decks like this in the future though!
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Old 12-31-2008, 06:48 PM   #40
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Re: Two-level Cedar Deck With Pergola Perimeter

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Most of them are not screwed down yet. So there are larger gaps and smaller gaps in different areas...

My new lead carpenter prefers to lay them out four boards at-a-time without screwing, and then adjusting the gaps after. Something about not having to rip the end board, so they are all the same length. He's built more decks than I have so I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt this time...

if you started on the outer edge and worked towards the house, ripping the last board wouldn't matter, but whatever. We are not a deck company, we just like to work! I wouldn't mind doing a lot of decks like this in the future though!
Upon this Illumination of the Circumstances, I do hereby retract my former Statement!
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