ud83dudcda Wood Deck Build Log u2014 1 of 45
u2190 (first article) u00b7 Series Index u00b7 Plan Pt.2: Sketching the Layout u2192
→ See the complete Wood Deck DIY Guide
2026 Update from DIY Dad: Planning the Wood Deck Project
ud83duded2 RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Pressure-Treated Deck Lumber
Pressure-treated lumber is the baseline u2014 skip it and you’ll be rebuilding in 5 years.
With the interior renovation winding down, the wood deck project was next. Building a deck in the garden had been a long-held dream u2014 and now the planning begins in earnest.
What Is a Wood Deck?
ud83duded2 RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Deck Stains & Waterproof Sealers
Stain every 2u20133 years. It’s the single cheapest way to double deck lifespan.
A wood deck is a wooden platform installed outside the home u2014 in the garden, on a terrace, or as a balcony extension. It bridges the living room and garden, expanding your usable living space.
Common uses:
- Outdoor living room (table and chairs for relaxing)
- BBQ space
- Childrenu2019s play area
- Laundry drying area
- Sunny spot for pets
For a rental property, a wood deck is a rare amenity that sets the unit apart. DIY Dad decided to install one at his owner-occupied rental property.
Key Decisions When Planning a Wood Deck
- Location and size (width x depth)
- Deck board material (natural wood or composite)
- Frame material and structure
- Roof or no roof?
- Railing or fence?
- Budget
DIY Dad drew multiple layout sketches. With so many combinations of location, size, and material, fixing your non-negotiable requirements first is the key to narrowing things down.
Site Check Before You Build
ud83duded2 RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Deck Screws & Fasteners
Use stainless screws only u2014 standard screws rust and stain the deck within one rainy season.
- Ground condition (concrete slab, bare earth, gravel)
- Drainage flow (water pooling under the deck?)
- Door sill height versus deck surface level
- Distance from property boundary (50 cm minimum recommended)
- Location of buried water, drain, and gas pipes
Aligning the deck surface with the door sill creates a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
Cost vs. Value (Landlord Perspective)
- DIY material cost: approximately u00a5150,000u2013250,000
- Tools: mostly existing stock
Contractor-built decks can run u00a5500,000u20131,000,000 or more. DIY means paying only for materials. Tenants love a wood deck u2014 the kind of feature that can justify a u00a33,000u20135,000 rent increase and still make people happy.
Hi, this is DIY Dad.
The other day I repaired the soffit on a different property. Holding a board up overhead while driving screws with an impact driver is brutal work. My arms were wrecked after that one. Iu2019ll write it up sometime when I get a chance.
Anyway u2014 the main story. After moving into the new house, one problem became immediately clear: thereu2019s nowhere to hang laundry on the first floor.
The previous owner apparently used the second-floor balcony. But our family lives exclusively on the first floor. The stairs are gated off u2014 theyu2019re too dangerous u2014 and the second floor is basically my workspace and a storage area for my wife. For her, going upstairs to hang laundry every day is not happening.
This was actually something I noticed during the pre-purchase inspection. I talked it over with my wife at the time:
DIY Dad: u201cThe washer is on the first floor but the drying area is on the second-floor balcony.u201d
Wife: u201cEh?! I want to dry it on the first floor. We can use the garden.u201d
DIY Dad: u201cBut thereu2019s no roof. Rain would be a nightmare.u201d
Wife: u201cThe parking area then u2014 thereu2019s a roof there.u201d
DIY Dad: u201cThat works, but itu2019s inconvenient u2014 there are stairs, and itu2019s far from the washer.u201d
Wife: u201cTrue, thatu2019s a trek.u201d
DIY Dad: u201cIu2019m planning to build a wood deck in the garden. What if I put a roof on it and add a clothesline?u201d
Wife: u201cOoh, that sounds great!u201d
DIY Dad (internal): Rare u2014 she went for it on the first try.
DIY Dad: u201cI wonu2019t start until after we move in, so please put up with the parking area for a little while.u201d
Wife: u201cFine u2014 but hurry up. And put a clothesline in the parking area in the meantime.u201d
She always has an extra requestu2026 But honestly, I was going to do it anyway.
So itu2019s decided: DIY Dad will build a covered wood deck. Location: the garden visible from the living roomu2019s sliding glass door u2014 using every square metre available.
First-floor floor plan showing the garden space where the deck will be built.
As a garden itu2019s not enormous, but as a deck footprint itu2019s actually quite generous. The build process should be a lot of fun.
ud83dudcda Wood Deck Build Log u2014 1 of 45
u2190 (first article) u00b7 Series Index u00b7 Plan Pt.2: Sketching the Layout u2192
DIY Renovation Quote Review Manual
How to read, compare, and negotiate contractor quotes. This manual saved me u00a5800,000 on a single renovation project.
ud83cudfe0 More from DIY Father
15 years of landlord experience u00b7 3 apartment buildings u00b7 DIY renovations that saved millions of yen. Browse all articles at diytosan.com
