Build a Deck That Actually Lasts

This deck was slowly rotting into the house… so it had to be rebuilt. In this video, I remove the damaged structure, repair the framing under the door, and rebuild the deck using lumber I milled on my own sawmill. Along the way, I show several things I did to protect the structure from water, including joist tape, aluminum flashing, stain, proper drainage between deck boards, and more. Water is the enemy of wood, especially on outdoor structures like decks. By adding multiple layers of protection, the goal is to keep rain, melting snow and ice away from the house and extend the life of the structure. The deck frame was built in the shop and installed on site, reinforced for extra rigidity since a roof will be added above the deck in the future. The project isn’t finished yet — the next step is building the stairs. In another video, I show how I built a strong set of stairs using a different technique than traditional stringers. Thanks for watching. #deckbuilding #woodworking #diyprojects #deckrestoration #homerenovation