Deck Renovation

gmhammes

Quick couple questions regarding my current/new deck.

The nice weather is here and i need to be outside more. i currently have a deck on the back of my house however it is only 9ft wide by 14ft long. I am looking to extend it over to 20ft wide and keep it 14ft long. I will also be installing a new french door off the kitchen to the extended area. I would like to reduce cost by adding onto the existing deck but will be replacing all of the "decking" itself

Questions...
1) my brother in law wants me to put all new posts in and new beams. I wanted to just add 4 more posts and attach the beams to the existing ones. (all the beams and posts are treated)

2) i would prefer a 45 degree angle layout, how much lumber waste am i creating by doing it this way as opposed to a horizontal layout?

3) any other suggestions or helpful hints (or pictures) are more than welcome.

Ron6519

1) Whether you need to replace the original posts and beams, depends on their condition.
2) If you plan the deck and purchase the material based on need, the waste will be minimal.
Ron

moneymgmt

1. previously answered... if they're in good shape, you're ok
2. I don't think "waste" is the right word here. You will however require more lumber because spacing for joists is narrower if you use the 45 degree layout. For 5/4 deck boards I believe horizontal layout spacing is 16" but 45 degree spacing is 12". If your current frame uses 16"OC joists and you don't add joists between them the 45 degree layout will sag.
3. Get a good long level!

gmhammes

thanx "money". i have decided to go with horizontal boards and the deck will now be 20ft wide but 14ft deep so i won't have any seams. I also considered the spacing and since they are currently 16", i would have to change them to 12 in order to go diagonal.

Hopefully this project will begin next week!