HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-04-16, Page 48PAGE 22
A new deck can do a lot for home and yar
A new deck can do wonderful things for
your home's appearance and your outdoor
lifestyle. But before you dive into the pro-
ject, take time out to do some thoughtful
planning. Your project will go quicker thee
long run, and you'll be happier
results.
First, analyze your needs. What's the
main purpose of the deck? Is it for sun wor-
ship or dining al fresco, to dress up an entry
or provide a private getaway?
getaway?.
Knowing the deck's function is essential to
a good plan. You may find you need several
areas or levels — one for entertainment and
outdoor cooking, one for supping.
While rectangular and square decks are
easiest to build, the simplest design may not
be the best for you. Multiple levels can add
more flair and function than one large plat-
form in some situations.
Stake out the deck
Begin by drawing to scale on graph paper
a top and side view of the house. Include ma-
jor landscaping, driveways, doors, and loca-
tion of utility lines underground.
Then lay out the deck on paper. Try to
design it in increments of 2 feet since
lumber comes in these even lengths. It will
save you a lot of sawing and extra expense.
Now go outside with tape measure and 1 x
2 stakes and lay out 'tbe deck on the site.
Determine width, then length and height by
Measuring the side of the house and mark-
ing where you want the top of the decking.
Tap stakes into the ground along the hon es
where the ledger strip will go and a p
somewhat beyond the exact points where
be e
pposts will be placed. Mark the strtng
felt pen exactly at the posts positions.
Check for square
To check the corners of the deck
cfor
square, use this simple surveying procedure
with two fixed lines forming a right angle.
This will be your guide for measurements.
Line No. 1 is always parallel to the house
or other structure the deck is built against.
If the deck will be detached, just run a
straight line along one edge of the proposed
site. Line No. 2 will intersect line No. 1 (see
drawing).
Take three stakes and a nylon line and lay
out atriangle. Line No. 1 should be 8 arallel to the wall. Stake the line
et
loin,, p alsocoat
pointsB
aeA and in toapoint 6' from A. Attach
to
stake A, running
the line to point C several feet beyond.
Check the distance from stake C to stake
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A deck is easy to build
if you startd with a
good plan.
B, the hypotenuse of the right triangle.
When its measurement is 'exactly 10 feet,
your corner will be square. Double check at
stake A with a carpenter's square. Then, us-
ing stakes and string, lay out the entire
deck,repeating the process to check each
corner for square.
If building a detached deck, you can form
line No. 1 by placing stakes along a line
parallel to one edge of the deck site.
Select materials
Your next decision is what kind of wood to
use. We recommend pressure treated
lumber for all your outdoor project needs.
Why? Several reasons: low cost, low
maintenance, resistance to decay and in-
sects, handsome finish qualities, and
workability.
A process which forces preservatives
deep into the cells of quality lumber makes
G -P pressure -treated lumber a solid choice
for decking, joints and beams.
it's
essential to use only pressure-treated
for posts to resist decay. Use
stainless steel fasteners and hot -dipped
galvanized nails to resist stains.
Know the code
Also, don't forget to check your local
building code before beginning construction
to be sure you meet local requirements.
Be sure to follow manufacturer's instruc-
tions when using power tools. And don't
forget to wear safety goggles when using
hammer or power tools.
Bulbs add a touch of colour
September and October are the tradi-
tional bulb -planting months here in Ontario.
Most bulb stock comes from Holland
where the mild springs and cooler summers
allow the small bulblets to form and develop
at the base of the mother bulb.
"Our climate just does not allow for the
commercial production bulbs - although lily
bulbs may soon become the exception,
says Horticulturist John Hughes of the, On-
tario Ministry of Agriculture and Food's
plant industry branch.
Currently, all our Easter lily bulbs and
garden types come from the northern
California -southern Oregon area - again an
area• where .a -favorable micro -climate
exists.
For the best show, plant bulbs in clumps
or mass plantings.
Three to five bulbs every metre or so, ran-
domly spaced, will give a good color spot for.
tulips and daffodils.
"You will notice on each package a par-
ticular planting depth for each type and this
is usually expressed, for example, as two to
three times as deep as the bulbs' height,"
Hughes says.
Some years you can get away with plan-
ting bulbs, right up to freeze-up time.
But as a general rule, it is better to plant
the bulbs in early fall so that they have a
chance to develop a primary root system;
this helps them survive .over winter.
All bulbs prefer a de$p, well -drained Soil
but they will tolerate a wide soil type.
In addition to the traditional tulips,,
daf-
fodils, narcissus and hyacinths, try growing
the early -blooming crocus.
There is a wide range of exotic bulbs too
for those who want something different.
Anenome,, for example,'in single or mixed
colors, the fragrant garden freesia and gay
feathers (or liatris spicata) which grows to
heights of 121 centimetres to 182 cm add
variety to the flower border.
Try growing some garden lilies too - many
are truly spectacular