This winter buried much of North America, and probably made you dream of warmer days. Spring is around the corner, and approaching fast are the days of relaxing and entertaining outdoors. We want to help you take the next steps in turning your dream outdoor living space from vision to reality.
Our last blog post provided 5 tips for designing a deck for fabulous outdoor living. With a basic design in mind, two crucial next things to do are:
- Ensure your deck design meets building codes
- Determine how much decking you will need for the job
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Ensure your deck design meets building codes
Whether it’s a simple free-standing rectangular deck or a multi-level masterpiece attached to your home, a trip to your local building department is in order. Your city’s or county’s building department will review your plans and let you know if the design meets code before issuing a building permit.
Here are a few of the things they’ll be looking for:
- Sufficient set-back distances from your neighbors’ property
- Adequate structural support for the weight of the deck, people on it, furniture, hot tubs, etc.
- Proper flashing to prevent moisture from coming in contact with untreated deck framing or the frame of your home (for attached decks)
- Presence of an appropriate railing if your deck will be above a certain height (typically 30 inches or more above the ground), to prevent falls
- Balusters spaced closely enough to prevent small children from squeezing through
- Safety of the stairs (wide enough treads, stairs not too steep, etc.)
The building code is designed to ensure that your new deck is safe, which is something you and your guests will appreciate over the years.
See the ChoiceDek Installation Guide for more information on deck designs, and look at resources like the North American Deck & Railing Association (NADRA) website for deck safety tips.
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Determine how much decking you will need for the job
Our free online quantity calculator is a great tool to get you started determining material needs. This easy-to-use calculator will help you figure out how big of a deck you can afford or the amount of decking you will require. The tool shows how many of the various materials you will need to create a beautiful deck at a number of traditional sizes, including materials such as:
- Deck boards of a given length
- Speed rail kits
- Balusters
- Posts
- Post caps & collars
Remember, with ChoiceDek you will have a great outdoor space, designed uniquely for you and built to last. For additional help, consult with Lowe’s Pro Services or find a ChoiceDek contractor/installer 
