" that's more like a stage"...

[CJD3]

For some years now, I have wanted a deck outside my back door. Somewhere I could sit and enjoy my back yard.This year, I finally had enough of my nearly 100-year-old cement, sandstone and tile porch.

One morning a small pile of PT4 x 4’s showed up.

One morning a small pile of PT4 x 4’s showed up.

I laid out various sizes and shapes. The south end of the yard had a slight downward grade but it would still only be 2-3 foot off the ground. So with the "help" of my 5 year old grandson, we began. The edges of the old porch had been falling apart for some time, implying an easy demolition…

Then we hit the cinder blocks, cement and rebar.

 

[CJD3]

The blocks broke up easily but the cement and rebar was horrible. The sledge barely bade a dent with each blow. Eventually a small jack hammer was borrowed. The tile deck was also surprisingly hard but I discovered it was sitting on dirt, cinders and the blocks. The rebar was bent into a couple of hooks and I bullied the whole thing off the landing with the big tractor. I could skid it but not lift it. It really pushed the tractor to its limit.

Revealing some wood rot needing attention first from many years of water, snow and ice draining back towards the house.

The 3 grandkids aged 4,4 and 5 were instantly drawn the the old tile deck and immediately moved in.


(Such fond memories I have of being a kid in the summer like that.)

 

[CJD3]

The yellow clay was slow going but we got the post hole digger on the tractor to hit the depth each time.
( With the help of a old fat guy adding weight to the bit...)

As we started hanging the timber, it became painfully apparent more of the damn cement would have to broken down to make room for the beams. (That sucked)

The next phase went as expected.

 

[5Cent]

I'm liking this Jim and now I know where ya disappeared to the last few weeks.

 

[Dustinb80]

Yeah I like this update.

 

[CJD3]

I like the “Picture frame” design for a border.

Finally, the decking. It’s a 12’ x 31’ deck but the 16’ planking was .98 cents cheaper than the 12’. So, I came up with a plan for the 4’ overage.

A call was made to pick it in the morning.

 

[Jackalope]

Awesome man! And to have the grandkids there really makes it special.

 

[CJD3]

And some steps.

I worried some critters would try and move in under the deck so the extra 4’ decking was used for skirting.

 

[CJD3]

It needs to weather before I seal/stain it.
I took 3 different lumber placed to pull all I needed to do this.

My plan before winter is to do away with the picture window in the middle of the deck and door to its left and replace it with a large sliding door.

 

[Dustinb80]

Looks great Jim

 

[Isaacorps]

Wow, looks fantastic! Nice work

 

["J"]

Looks like it turned out looking good, Jim!!! Congrats

 

[rooster85]

Awesome deck!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sgt Fury]

Turned out great! If that place is 100 years old, you should run a metal detector through there..you’ll probably find some neat stuff.

 

[OhioWhiteTails]

Nicely done, Jim!

 

[MoonLab]

Hell yeah. That’s awesome. It looks great.

 

[Ohiosam]

Leave it to Jim to send us all unsolicited deck pics

looks good buddy!

 

[Jackalope]

Looks awesome man! I really like the edge board look.

 

[CJD3]

Leave it to Jim to send us all unsolicited deck pics

looks good buddy!

I don't even need to trim the bush around it to make it look bigger.

 

[CJD3]

Thanks Guys!
Its been a long time coming.