YOU CAN HAVE A DECK TO SIT ON AND ENJOY THESE CREATURES AND MORE.
I am not going to delve into styles or shapes of decks, there are as many different plans as there are people wanting to build them. Your local Home Center or Book Store has many books on the subject of decks. Please visit them first. Window shop in the Home Centers and see what is available for different materials.
Please do not try to get by with as little as possible when you select the size of your floor joist and posts. That goes for concrete piers also. We have built decks that the posts are in a hole with tamped stone in the bottom, below frost line if that is appropriate. I have never had one fall down but you need to use treated lumber for everything. That said, I still recommend that you pour footers/piers according to code in your area of concrete and allow the concrete to be above the grade of your surrounding yard so the wood posts are not in the soil.
Composite decking material is the greatest thing since comic books but....it is very expensive. We removed all the railings and balusters last summer on our front deck and replaced with composite. If I decide to replace the decking on this deck, the material will cost about $4500, the wood is going to last a few more years.
The material comes in colors and has a wood grain embossed into the surface. Never need painting or staining and that should be enough to convince you to use this type of material.
Always check with your local building department for specifications on how they expect you to build the deck. There are strict guidelines for spacing of railing balusters and height of railings as well as size and depth of steps. Don't sidestep this. We live in a litigation society and that neighbor you thought was the sweetest person in the world can turn into a menace if one of their little kiddies falls off the railing while he/she is doing handstands or that one space you decided to leave a little wider accepts the head of another friend. Doesn't matter that you told them not to do that, you will be in court in a heartbeat.
If I can help you with more specific matters feel free to E-MAIL me at anytime.
TREX decking is one of the best, cost is high, there are a number of others.
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CERTAINTEED ROOFING,DECKING,RAILINGS
A great site to visit for information regarding all of the above.
LINKS TO FAVORITE SITES
APPLE VALLEY PHOTOS (Photos for every occasion. Digital download and prints)
LITTLE PATCH FARM ªBoer Goats)
HAND CARVED WOODEN GRIPS for Smith & Wesson hand guns