Deck Rebuild--10-11-2010

October has been designated as "DECK MONTH" here at Little Falls Farm. Why you ask? Simple. The deck needs a rebuild/renovation and October begins the cooler fall season here in the south allowing a more comfortable time to work outside!

What to do? We first thought a new floor with planks made out of that expensive composite would be of order--expensive--but of order in the sense of it's no maintenance and longevity. However, the more this was discussed, the more it was felt that a simple repair of the floor planks that needed replacing with similar treated inexpensive planks would be in order. We did know however, all the railing would be replaced--never liked the cheap look that was there to begin with and most had rotted anyway!

With a game plan in tow, off to my favorite Lowe's--in Madison--and materials were purchased with a $500 budget in mind. Started work on posts support under the deck on Monday Oct 4th. Continued with railings on the 6th (Carol and I had a fun day on 5th with Mattie spending night in Doggy Day Care) and worked more on the 7th most of the day until cousin Gary Willard arrived in later afternoon to spend the night.

I continued working on the deck Friday and Saturday --October 8th and 9th with almost completion. The project BTW included a porch swing and new light fixture. Because I am using new and uncured treated lumber, as son Joe points out, it will be about 6 months from now (May 2011) before the new wood can be painted. The floor will be painted a gritty grey as matches front porch, the railings will be a white, and the hand rails will be the forest green that matches the shutters of the house.

While I do have areas to tweak--here are some photos of the almost completed/renovated deck! To see the new porch light fixture and to enjoy the swing (this is the older swing from the front porch--new chain added)--you must come and see us at the farm! BTW--call first so we can open the gates--LOL!

As I mentioned earlier--my budget was $500. As of today--realizing I must still buy paint--I have spent $709. Keep in mind, this has included floor planks, posts, rails with stringers, handrails, and support joists/posts/concrete slab, chain, fixture--along with three (3) pieces of 4 x 8 lattice for the portion of deck support. I do feel good that while I am over budget slightly, this $709 pales in comparison if I had gone with entire floor replacement with the very expensive composite flooring!

John--the Deck builder--LOL!