Mike's Woodworking Projects

New Deck Gramsie

Year built: 1980s
Plan: My Design

Kathryn and I purchased our Shoreview, MN home in 1986. The Deck over the walkout was Redwood but was small and in pretty bad shape. So, somewhere around 1988 I decided to tear off the old deck and design and build a new deck. During the winter months I designed the new deck and planned the build.

Unfortunately, I do not remember the dimensions of the deck but it was easily twice as big and the original. The house had a walk out basement so, the patio door from the dining room came out onto the deck and then the steps landed at the entrance to the patio door of the walk out basement.

I had the idea to sell the wood from the old deck. So, I put an add in the paper (back in the day) and, amazingly, actually sold it. A couple of guys came over and did the work of removing the deck board by board. Unfortunately, every board they tried to pull up ended up splintering. They basically paid me to disassemble my deck, and remove the material which was pretty much kindling wood in the end.

I remember starting the project on Memorial Day Weekend with the wonderful Minnesota spring having snow flurries that weekend. My first job was to cut the siding above our walkout patio door and attach a header. Mission accomplished.

Then it was laying out the new deck footings. Getting a post hole digger and digging out each hole, by hand, to MN code of 4' deep and pouring the footings. A thing about Minnesotan's, they take pride in DIY and rarely hire someone to do anything for them. Bathrooms, additions, pavers, decks, floors, you name it, MN is a DIY state of mind (at least it was in the 80s). Such a contrast to Illinois where everyone hires everything out... I don't fit in!

I had some friends over and the prior owner (who owed me some time and he was a carpenter). One afternoon we did the framing using 6x6 posts and a double header. Then came the joists. I used treated wood for the posts, header, joints and stair stringer. Cedar for the decking, steps and railing. As I remember, we knocked out the posts, headers and joists in one day. Then up to me to finish.

At the time a had a small Toyota Celica hatchback. I bought and transported all the materials in the tiny hatchback...

As I remember the decking was pretty easy to put in although, it was about 10 feet off the ground so some things had to be done on ladders. I cut all the deck boards long and snapped chaulk lines on the perimeter and cut them all to perfect length.

Next came the railing using 2x2's and posts for strength. Being 10 feet off the ground made it difficult. Last was the steps. I don't remember the details from back then but, I always have trouble with steps.

The deck turned out great and we used it a ton. This was my first wood project and I learned a lot and was very happy with the final results. Found a picture of it! I should stop back and see if it is still in good shape one of these days.