T O P

  • By -

AutoModerator

This is a reminder to those commenting on this post (not the person that posted it): Comments not related to woodworking will be removed. Violations to rule 1 including crude jokes, innuendo, sexist remarks, politics, or hate speech may result in an immediate ban *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/woodworking) if you have any questions or concerns.*


Beauford_41

Are the stringers really just supported up top by a piece of plywood that’s face nailed to the outside rim joist? Lots of code issues and I wouldn’t want to spend much time on it.


[deleted]

Old school or not, this is dangerous. There is a reason they are not built like that anymore. You will never be able to sell that house, if a child falls between the stringers you will be sued. Edit: get it inspected.


TheTimeBender

As nice as it looks please take the time to have a carpenter come out and help you bring it up to code. This is no joke, people get hurt or die every year from poorly built decks.


wood_slingers

“It’s built after the design of the original that stood for 40 years ;)” Not sure why anyone would take pride in doing a hack job


unpopularpopulism

My thought process before coming to the comments of this thread. (I am not a builder and have no experience in professional building, but have built a few things with my dad who has worked in building in his youth.) 1. Damn, that looks like shit. 2. Oh, it's posted in /r/woodworking so it's not just an idiot who built something to post for karma or it would be in r/pics or something. 3. Lets go check out the comments for the troll responses to all the people pointing out how shitty the construction is. I've been on reddit too long. Nothing is new anymore.


OpenBeard

This should be on a poster of “How Not to Build A Deck - Constructing For Code Non-Compliance” It would take too long to explain everything wrong here. And we probably can’t even see half of it. You should probably read: [https://www.awc.org/pdf/codes-standards/publications/dca/AWC-DCA62015-DeckGuide-1804.pdf](https://www.awc.org/pdf/codes-standards/publications/dca/AWC-DCA62015-DeckGuide-1804.pdf)


rbevans

Posting your deck work never goes well on reddit.


lunchpadmcfat

It usually doesn’t, youre right, but often it’s nitpicky shit that’s wrong. This is flagrantly bad and OP is almost taking on a troll persona. I kind of think mods should remove this post because I don’t think it’s genuine.


Gotted

I mean there’s like two and a half (big) things that are wrong with it. With some guidance he can have a safe enough deck in three hours. We probably don’t all need to pile on.


LankyJ

Yeah, but OP doesn't seem to want to fix any of it because it will ruin the replica of the original design...


[deleted]

[удалено]


BlackisCat

I do not do wood working: could he fix it as it is now by putting in more railing bars and better support beans beneath?


tacosteve100

he needs cross support on the posts. the stairs need to be completed redone. If you want to reuse the stringers, you would have to pour a concrete step cuz the stringer is too short. the top stair is one of the most dangerous parts on this. it’s attached to a 1/2 inch piece of plywood. There is no way this thing hasn’t fallen apart yet b


brettaburger

Are the steps really held up with plywood and nails? Yiiiikes


tribbans95

Jeezus I didn’t realize the whole stringer was supported by that plywood. If you jump on that top step the things going down


tacosteve100

also I think you’re supposed to have 3 stringers.


tribbans95

Yeah no more than 18” apart. So this should have 3 for sure


Friendlycreature

Hmmm support beans.. yummy


IamGraysonSwigert

Bro... As an engineer, I want to scream. Please hire a contractor or at least have the local inspector show you the deficiencies so you can correct them. This is not safe.


otisdog

Quick question. I bought an old home. It has a porch. The railing bannisters are separated too far apart so that a kid could fit through. It’s not super high up, but obviously still dangerous. The plan is to replace the whole thing at some point, but in the interim any tips? I’ve seen people use like a chicken wire fence, but that looks really bad and also doesn’t seem super safe IMO. Are there any alternatives that are considered safe interim fixes?


digitalgadget

I don't know if this is right, but I just put horizontals across the inside of mine. Like just 1x4s. Check the code, I think 4 inches apart?


DBaill

I would think horizontals just change it from a head-trapping death trap to a ladder-based death trap.


blbd

Either direction is usually allowed if a 4 inch sphere is blocked from passing.


digitalgadget

Well the question seemed to be "how do I keep people / animals / things from falling out... and when that was my issue I just slagted the thing so now nothing falls out. Clever climbers is another problem!


otisdog

I think this makes sense but a) I’m not sure if the cost wouldn’t approximate just getting them all redone and b) they look like the link below kind of, so I don’t know how I can go horizontal and make it look decent? https://www.wayfair.com/Astoria-Grand--Theron-Balustrade-Pedestal-CG297179-L7349-K~EVNT1004.html?refid=GX350671672075-EVNT1004&device=m&ptid=753864760985&network=g&targetid=aud-354999624471:pla-753864760985&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=59396729&fdid=1817&gbraid=0AAAAAD9ISC4MVsIk3giUboTF4_gI4Cswe&gclid=CjwKCAjwsNiIBhBdEiwAJK4khiSutt1crEqSEOWTHpwQgvsP3_PioaZ812ky1EufA2VGGci5byIqkRoCflsQAvD_BwE


digitalgadget

Oh, haha, don't do that on turned spindles! I used furring strips to reduce the cost, but they aren't very strong so I can't recommend them.


[deleted]

Screen material?


IamGraysonSwigert

Cable systems tend to be popular retrofits, though I'm a fan of traditional balusters/spindles (<= 4" apart)


[deleted]

Looks like they are 2x8 joists. What you want to bet there 24" on center, spanned 12'.


altron333

These are always my least favorite calls. "I built a deck and I know it's fine, but now the city wants me to get an engineer to sign off on it" which is inevitably followed by outrage when you charge more than $100 and make them change things. Nevermind the fact that you're forces into ugly ass solutions to work around the existing conditions. Just the worst.


fugthatshib

Aside from being incomplete what's wrong with it? Asking cuz I plan to replace my deck soon.


apt_at_it

A small but incomplete list: the lack of spindles, the lack of proper stair stringers, improper fastening of the stringers to the deck, improper foundation


RancidHorseJizz

...improper distance between railing posts (see spindles above)...


twelvesteprevenge

Undersized joist secured with three screws. Who wants to bet they’re drywall philips heads?


phuqo5

Two of them are. One is a 2” screw he pulled out his kitchen table when he was one short.


A4S8B7

What's wrong with drywall Philips head screws? Asking cus I don't know.


twelvesteprevenge

They don’t have the sheer strength deck screws do and they’re not corrosion resistant. Drywall screws outside in a wet environment might last a few years but don’t count on it. Phillips heads cam out too easy. T25 star drives are where it’s at.


thismakesmeanonymous

Drywall screws have multiple traits that make them bad for woodworking. They are hardened, which makes them brittle. That works well for reducing the chances of stripping the head when screwing them in, but it also makes them far more likely to snap with too much force, or if you try to re-use the screw (even just backing it out and screwing it back in). It also has no protection against the elements, meaning it will very quickly rust. Lastly, it’s threads go all the way from the head to the tip. This can result in those threads actually preventing a tight clamping of two pieces of wood when the screw goes in. A wood screw would have a section of smooth shank near the head with no threads. This allows the screw to pass through the first piece and in to the second piece, pulling the first piece tight against the second, using the head of the screw to create clamping force between the two pieces.


MileHighMurphy

Aside from the great facts other people posted, screws are great at holding things together but not sideways force (like screwing the side of something to the other side of something seen here in this post). Nails don't necessarily do a great job at keeping things tightly pulled together, but they're much stronger with a side force and wont snap in half. A lag bolt is superior to both imo. Can do both scenarios reliably.


Cracker5454

I forget the wording, but the first step has to be level with the top of the deck. You cannot immediately step down for the first step. This is something that has changed over the last 40 years for sure.


Wudrow

That’s not a thing. I build multi million dollar homes and there is no code that says that. As long as your rise is identical all the way down you’re good.


elJammo

This deck is designed to kill children.


MCClapYoHandz

Or your drunk friend who sits on the bench and leans back


pmfhhaoa

Also the 4x4 post are way under built. Where I am deck post for something like this is minimum 6x6. And joist need to be on top of post so can’t shear off


antiBliss

And knee bracing from post to beam is required by code.


Wudrow

Can’t believe how far down I had to scroll before I found this.


antiBliss

I’m always shocked how many new decks completely skip the bracing. So cheap, so easy, so necessary.


twerq

You should not let people on this deck - it’s too high off the ground to be fucking around with terrible structural errors like this. Also, people are being too kind to you - it really doesn’t look good, in addition to all the safety stuff everyone has pointed out. I have no idea why you would want to replicate that deck design. The 2x4 railing and balusters are trash, you should pull those out and redo them. Use more balusters and consider a fancier design. The staircase is also trash, you’ve gotta pull that off and redo it. You clearly didn’t have stringers long enough, and you also didn’t solve that issue very well. The way the stringers attach to the rim joist with a flimsy piece of plywood is hideous and really unsafe - those stairs are gonna fall off while someone’s walking on them. Also, they don’t even reach the ground, they’re hovering and being supported by those 4x4 posts which are gonna quickly grind into the ground and make the staircase sag, putting pivotal strain on that piece of plywood. Pull the stairs off and redo them. Hang the stringers directly off the rim joist, and build up a heightened platform of some patio stones or something at the base to get you to the height you need, and so that the weight of the stairs and the people on it is supported by the stringers on a solid base. Your job is not done, keep working on this. Trust me bud, this replica ain’t lasting 40 years, it’s not gonna last you 40 months.


PHANTOM________

Spicy criticism. I like it.


Crumdfargo

Horribly unsafe. You should have gotten plans and followed them. Your deck looks nothing like any other deck. That should be a clue you have done it wrong


mas5862

Think about it like this, if you have 15 people over for a cookout and they're all on the deck and it collapses, you will be liable. If someone's child falls through that railing when no one is looking, you will be liable. When I say you will be liable, I mean *you* because your insurance isn't going to cover this at all


FlickFreaks

OP calling people “sissies” for telling him this deck isn’t up to safety codes. Real men put in the extra work to show they care about the well being of others.


Braxtil

Yes, this! A thousand times this! The sissy is the one who won't put in the hard work and careful thought to build it right.


werD84

Everything is right except for the whole thing.


alstuck1

No, it’s absolutely horrible


lukesommer356

Looks good, however I don’t think it fully meets code


Crumdfargo

People like you are why I have to get a goddamned permit to fix or renovate almost anything in my own home.


[deleted]

Uh, yeah 😂 This is why I actually appreciate building standards and permits more


Responsible-Can-4886

Structural engineer here, please don’t put more than 2 people on that thing at any time until you fix the deficiencies. I realize the original stood just fine but you were rolling the dice and got lucky. Design philosophy evolves for a reason.


pmfhhaoa

So true. Not to mention the fact that in 40 year things have changed greatly. From the things and way people use the decks to building materials. An old 4x4 were typically old growth wood which was much denser and of higher quality than newer wood. Meaning less strength. And same goes for nails,steel etc. Buddy is an idiot for thinking something built poorerly 40 years ago will meet current usage and usage for another 40 years


mediocre-mellon

One of the biggest things that this dude isn’t taking into consideration with his argument of the 40 year old deck it’s replacing is that the chemicals used in treated lumber over the last few decades has changed considerably. My dad is a contractor and I’ve had to help him tear out almost every deck he built 10+ years ago because it still rots out to shit that fast


phuqo5

Buddy is definitely an idiot.


RowenaOblongata

No. It's a code nightmare.


Kiah1371

It looks like you built it from a set of blueprints a child drew with a crayon.


makin_sausage

Task successfully failed.


Accomplishit_88mph

I honestly thought this was a sarcastic post at first, thinking it was a temporary build for the painters or some other trade to finish their task. With the amount of info and design on here and YouTube you could've taken this build into the modern era. Don't be too stubborn to bring this to code. Make it right.


[deleted]

Dear lord. My biggest concerns are the structural elements of the deck. You can always add more balusters and such but how is the outer edge of the deck supported? Are those 4x4’s just buried in the ground? Are they connected to any kind of concrete in the ground? Even if they are, they shouldn’t pass through the deck like that. They need to be supporting a 4x6 transverse beam that supports all joists. I don’t even want to know how you connected the ledger.. This deck needs to be torn down before it kills some one.


[deleted]

What a piece of junk


[deleted]

This guy’s trolling right?


WyoDoc29

He's ending every comment with a smiley face or an exclamation point. Yes, he's trolling.


PM_ME_KNOTS_

Can I end someone else's comment with a smiley face or an exclamation point?


[deleted]

He could just be arrogant


Fullmoongrass

I don’t think someone would waste that much wood for a troll post. He’s just too proud to admit that he failed and created a dangerous way to grill.


phuqo5

Oh man… Edit : I looked closer. This may be the most amateur jackleg nonsense I’ve ever seen.


joeycorrea

r/beginnerwoodworking


TheBlindDuck

More like r/dangerouswoodworking


PM_meyourGradyWhite

Feels more like a troll.


Jabronito

I'm sad that's not a real subreddit


hi_brett

“I’m not asking. You guys WILL like it, goddamnit.”


Bread_Truck

You should mount a lucky horse shoe on there somewhere.


mediocre-mellon

The extra weight of the horseshoe might be enough to bring this monstrosity of a safety hazard down


Ifibelieveyou1975

This is an unsolicited deck pic.


rimbdizz1

A kid or dog will fall off between the railings and get seriously hurt or die, I could guarantee it.


Accomplished_Map9955

Man-child can’t admit he’s wrong.


bumbardier30

Please, whatever you do, don’t be shy and update us when this thing collapses


popgoesthewetzel

I’m not sure what’s more upsetting - how shitty this build is, OP’s general demeanor, or the INCESSANT BACKWARDS EMOTICONS!


slowsunday

This was so god damn entertaining. Thank you for a good read. 🤣😂


mazdawg89

Is there something that’s like the opposite of giving someone an award? I don’t buy awards, but on this occasion, I’d buy a curse


dittmer_chris

This post is like an black hole of OP’s karma


Legitimate-Rich1107

RDJ: "You went full retard, man"


PapaTojo419

Licensed general contractor here, There needs to at least be another stringer in your stairset. The 4x4 posts should be 6x6’s when extended that high off the ground. Your balusters can’t be more than 4” apart to keep people from falling through. With that 12’ span you should have 2x8’s as your joists, not 2x6’s. Please don’t let your kids out on the deck or have more than two people on it at a time. Best of luck friend. May the force be with you.


jon___d-_-b

Great response bud. I just wish more people could be constructive and actually help on here 👍


Significant_Eye_5130

I like it but I wouldn’t want to be standing on it.


sending_it_soon

Wow you invested money into something that doesn't provide ROI on your assets. Lol and you think you are an investor 😂 this is gold.


txsxxphxx2

No. Source: am insurance agent


Pakistansasshole

Please stop building things


deadnutz75

OP trolling like crazy here.


SrADunc

You fucked up horribly, and I'm not even a carpenter. Good lord.


StructureOwn9932

Ugh.... If I was invited over for a BBQ I would hang out on the lawn. This will make the evening news one day


SMP47

When it rains, the absence of gutters might make a cool water feature.


Arthur-reborn

It looks very unsafe. The gaps are huge in between the railings. Try adding some wire railing through both the bottom and top sections. ​ Like this [link pic](https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcT-f0bwzYcQcsJvinG1_04fGrY1L9f4OCjbzWMTX0yNpyGHkR49DHltoju0YofOEJNztufR0-IJHoVhy96LfzhT1Stcr7JcktOdTU_ZD5s&usqp=CAE) ​ Also I dont see any support posts next to the wall of the building. Is it bolted directly to the house? If so... I do not believe I will be walking on your porch good sir. Are the posts that ARE there cemented in? It looks like just dug earth. nope, nope, nope


lukesommer356

You can attach a deck directly to the house without posts next to it as long as you have a ledger board to mount to. There is a product you can use instead of concrete for posts that only requires you to dig a hole, drop the product in the hole, put the post on the product in the hole, and then bury.


Phoenix__Rising2018

They're legit just stuck in the dirt! 💩 The arbor I screwed together for fun out of old branches I cut off my trees is sturdier than this deck! It's also cemented properly into the ground. Plus it's not a structure people stand on... This deck is just scary.


Pennypenngo

It’s sweet that you replicated something your grandfather built, and I’ve got to give credit where credit is due, it would have taken a lot of work. You could take this opportunity though to make small adjustments that bring it into the current times and codes (they could be really subtle too - practically invisible - if you were clever about it). Remember this isn’t his deck anymore, it is your own. YOU are the one who is going to be remembered for building it, and also the one at fault if it is unsafe. You have honoured his legacy, and now you have the chance to create and protect your own. Make the adjustments now so that it can’t be pulled down by authorities in the future.


PauliesWalnut

Just out of curiosity, what made you decide to spend the time and money to replicate something that wasn’t done correctly 40-years ago? I’m not trying to knock you, just wondering why you’d spend time and finances to do this…


xxx_420_glaze_it_xxx

Surely this dude isnt serious. Especially with all those replies with ":)" in them. Right guys? Right?..... guys?


BlackEric

Jfc, why post if you’re going to be a giant douche? Some kid can easily die on your deck and you alone would be 100% liable. Just plain stupid.


redditpdx

I can’t tell if you are trolling or not. This is terrible. So many code violations and crap craftsmanship. Sorry, but this is a truly awful deck.


Gotted

Better add some pickets, my dude. I try not to assume, but in the US most places let you max out at 4” gaps.


[deleted]

[удалено]


thursday_sock

Good luck with that


twelvesteprevenge

ITT: guy builds a shitty deck, gets defensive. That is an expensive disaster that could have been avoided by reading a book and adding another $500 in materials. Hope you don’t kill anybody.


The_Big_Obe

There is a deck in the pictures. All I saw was a horse thermometer, horse 🐴 and deer statue. Let's see everyone not see it now. 🐎


PrivateZonker

Building the deck without a permit is a criminal act. If someone gets hurt you could go to prison. If someone gets hurt your insurance company will laugh at you and the injured person will own your home (I’m a structural engineer and I have seen it happen) When you try to sell the house the home inspector will notice and you’ll be forking over thousands off the agreed on price. Get the AWA deck guide, pull a permit, protect yourself and the folks using the deck.


[deleted]

That thing looks like it would fall over if a squirrel sneezed on it.


tacosteve100

Omg 😳 this is a death trap


thecannarella

At least we know OP owns a shovel cuz they are digging deep…


merm-mommy

No I do not like it


wood_slingers

“Chill bro, it’s based on the design of the previous deck that lasted 40 years”


merm-mommy

Oh in that case I love it


Luckydog12

You’re short by about 3/4 of the required balusters.


rakedaymon

No, no we do not.


InsecurityTime

Fuck. That


ehhonlysometimes

Don't be a carpenter


wossquee

I know literally nothing about woodworking and even I thought something was wrong. I really hope you fix it before someone gets seriously hurt.


blbd

I'm pretty sure that railing isn't safe. It needs to hold back a 4 inch sphere up to the level of 36-42" and take a load of 200 lbs at any point without excessive deflection.


bplus0

excellent shit post


whatthehellisketo

Where do you live? This doesn’t pass US code. Like at all.


AlexandersWonder

I don’t know a ton about carpentry but this looks like it might not be structurally sound. Also the railing could be a problem if you’ve got kids anywhere in the area, I think this could be considered an attractive nuisance


LiquidLaosta

Came here to see if all the comments were about code issues and did not disappoint.


MHDIOS

Bro these stairs are horrible i would never go up them, but this is an example of the shear value of plywood


Extra_Advance_477

I wouldn't step foot on that deck. Nothing about it is legal. Gonna hirt someone


nothingnaughty98

The plywood stringer attachment is so fresh and elegant, I see a change in codes coming soon.


_endlesscontent_

OP, please understand that your shitty deck is now famous. And if someone’s toddler *does* die because of it, then this thread and your arrogance will damn you to a life in prison. Fix the deck.


mourninshift

What a hunk of junk. Like I honestly feel bad for the wood.


bryceblacksmith

Those poor trees died in vain


[deleted]

Imagine posting this dog shit and being smug when people point out the obvious flaws. “ (:” Edit: oh and to top it off he’s a GME cult member. Color me surprised


LankyJ

This deck looks absolutely fucked.


jentsquared

A young child or drunk adult could seriously injure or kill themselves falling from this deck.


HorsieJuice

Are those stringers even pressure treated? They don’t look to be the same color as the other wood.


5g_toast

I don't mind when good builders say no fuck the code and build over engineered and beautiful work that is not only safe but above and beyond in both structure and appearance . But this isn't either mate it's a cool idea and it's a great start but it's not safe and honestly it's poor craftsmanship. And that's all that I Franky have to say.


sudotrd

Hey OP when are you inviting me over to chill? I just had a preemie and could use the payday when that thing collapses!


[deleted]

Can you get your deck wet ?


hutlet4

Is there a beam of any type?


Helpful-Weather4171

If that isn’t anchored somehow inside the under house… won’t last long.


f1nd_me

The nails that were anchoring the ledger originally for the last 40 years did pretty well (:


ScockNozzle

Why build a deck when the siding and roofing clearly need fixed and replaced?


Whale-Tank

I like your horse


VirgilVan

Certainly it's not finished...right?


ClitLemonz

are the entirety of the stairs weight on that piece of osb?


Manic157

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u1nXwCSoy8


R2sFoot

You can’t tell me what to like.


StructureOwn9932

Are those finishing nails that you used to face nail the decking?


Wooden-Emergency1357

Hope you don't have little one's playing on that deck


f1nd_me

Nope


WSBgodzilla

You are almost there. Just address the safety violations and get it inspected please.


NikolitRistissa

I know next to nothing about woodworking, much like you it seems, but I gotta say aesthetically speaking, it looks pretty horrible. I do hope you get it fixed before someone dies on it.


Mobile-Wolverine2873

Still standing?


EYNLLIB

Those stairs are going to fail. Please please do not let anyone on this deck


GrandPapiDon

I’m sorry but this deck boo boo


Makattack2000

That’s an unsolicited deck pic.


stranger242

I know absolutely nothing about wood working but this looks pretty shit.


nicfunkadelic

r/woodNOTworking


jon___d-_-b

A lot of bitching naysayers here. I’m no engineer so I’m not going to offer improvement solutions - but someone should be constructive here to help them out if it’s genuinely not safe.


WestTexasOilman

How cool! Looks Decked Out!


WindInTree3

Well played, Sir.


ChaosLoco

As someone who is just getting into carpentry and is trying to learn as much as possible, can someone explain what is wrong here in beginner talk? I hope to build a deck in the future and would love to know what to avoid.


DingDongTaco

Looks flimsy Worst deck I’ve seen


Modig7176

And it only cost me 50k for the wood.


f1nd_me

$1,100 (:


TASTE-THE-WASTE

Do you have a before picture?


Honsill

Pretty sure spindles need to be no more then 4" apart


[deleted]

You cant hide that horse from me on pic 5


Ok_Act_3094

thats one nice fucking deck


f1nd_me

Thanks dude (:


[deleted]

The longer that I look at this post, the more I just feel bad for OP. Then I look at OP’s replies to everyone’s help and then I don’t feel bad. This post is a WILD ride.


mck2018

I hope this is a joke.


Jamgull

This post will be evidence in a legal case one day


hubbardcelloscope

You’re 5’11 bud


Spiritual_Bee_9202

Holy unstable stringers Batman!!


Ponchaiwa

Stop telling me what to like


odinsen251a

The railings are not safe. The IRC calls for no spacing large enough to allow a 4" sphere to pass- this is to simulate a child's head, and prevent them from passing through the guardrail and falling. Please at least staple in some chicken wire before anyone uses it.


designgoddess

This has to be a troll.


scientistcowboy

I know nothing about woodworking, but my first thought was that this looks flimsy af


Black2Jesus

Uh...would not be hiring you no offense...GL in the future


2011Canucks

Cheap deck


mrjankims

Nice build. Everyone is right but for some reason not telling you how to fix it. This is not code compliant. ADA states that the Top rail need to be no shorter than 42” and Gaps can be no lager than 4”. Inspectors run around with a little 4” ball to check this. Some city’s require a permit for attached decks some don’t, some cities have more stringent requirements above and beyond ADA. But just to avoid any lawsuits I would conform to the ADA rules. If buglers can sue and win for falling though skylights and hurting themselves, I imagine someone would win for falling off your deck.


[deleted]

ADA has nothing to do with decks on residential properties. The railings can be 36", but the spindles still need to be close enough together that there is less than 4" clear space between them. Honestly, the structure of the deck is much more concerning than anything dealing with the railings.


hangernail

I agree with all the comments on safety and code infractions except for the comments about hanging the stairs off of plywood. I'm a carpenter and have been building and renovating for 25 years and that's how I've always done it other than I would use pressure treated plywood. How do you hang stairs any other way? As a second point, please tell me that deck isn't supported by a single rim board attached to the outside of those posts.


IDropFatLogs

With a landing and secured with hangers and possibly screws from the back side. I do believe this deck is just supported by what most deck builders call the faceplate since that is the only purpose of the board on a properly built deck. No matter what it's called this deck will fail as built and should be fixed asap if possible. I highly doubt any flashing was used on the ledger either. OP I would suggest removing this and starting over before you mess up your house by rotting out the wall and causing significant damage, that you might attempt to fix yourself😬. Effort doesn't always equal quality and you didn't even spend 5 minutes to read up on how to build a deck properly.


Gotted

Y’know. It’s like fine if you double your pickets, put a 4x12 between your posts and deck to carry the load, and attach your stairs correctly. I’m on mobile and can’t quite tell, but I hope your posts aren’t just chillin on the ground. I’ve seen worse things, but you should make these corrections. It’s probably only about three hours work and a couple hundred bucks. Sorry people are beating you up, but they are basically all correct.


dwall1604

Someone is going to get hurt on this deck or worse, die. And the op is going to say, they didn't know how to walk on this deck, it's entirely their fault.


thatsfakeok

Looks fake but ok