This excellent book will serve well as the central resource for anyone who is considering building a deck.

Black and Decker have taken very seriously and responsibly the things you will need to learn about before embarking on a project of this kind, and it is all laid out here.

You can build a deck from this book even if you are a complete novice (I was!) You require only the ability to plan carefully, and then follow through a plan exactly, plus basic carpentry skills.

The book takes you through all the stages involved in the project. It begins by showing you a large variety of examples of decks of all kinds, explaining why they are best suited to a particular use. These decks are all presented in lavish photographs, a trend which continues throughout the book. Only the plans are presented as line diagrams, everything else is illustrated by photography with the rare example of something which could not be illustrated in photographs easily, cutaways and the like. This ensures that everything is clear. All photographs are accompanied by explanatory text right there on the spot.

Next the book introduces you to the components of a deck. It takes the time to explain which materials are right for which part, as this varies with the details of your project. Also here you can find tables providing you with guidelines to the quantity of material you will require as it varies by project. Very useful.

A long section then follows on what is certainly the most crucial phase in the success of your deck: planning. The planning section helps you find resources to choose a deck from, has tips on how to work with building officials (remember your deck will most likely require a building permit.) Here you will find tables on choosing lumbar size and spacing, instructions on how to draw a deck plan and more. All of this is laid out so that even an idiot like me can follow it. If I can do it, you can do it, I kid you not!

The section on building techniques is next along. This begins with a two page spread of photographs which succinctly illustrates the major steps involved in the job. The remainder of this long section breaks down each of the phases into absolutely every detail of its execution, each tiny individual advance of the project is illustrated by a photograph and explanatory text. Variations are also accommodated here, depending whether you are attaching your deck to wood, brick or stucco, whether it is one or two level, etc.etc.

This section will take you all the way through to a finished deck, and even includes instructions on how to repair and maintain your deck.

The next section covers some more advanced techniques that you may wish to try. The format is identical to the preceding chapter, laying out a broad overview of each job and then breaking down the details photographically. In this section you will find detailed instructions on how to build multi-level decks, stairways with landings, how to work with angles and curves, and how to frame for insets such as existing landscape features like trees.

The next section shows a number of pre-made deck plans for all kinds of projects from the very basic to much more complex. This is of great benefit to many, as having the deck plan already made and laid out for you makes the whole job ridiculously easier, and you have the documentation you will need to show to the building officials right and ready from the get-go. Where the projects in this section have special techniques that have not previously been encountered in the book, these are laid out in the same precision and detail that everything else has been demonstrated with before hand.

A final section gives instructions on how to successfully modify a deck design that you have seen in the book. This may become important if you need to change the height, deal with awkward ground levels, or other such unavoidable obstacles. The section itself is brief, but frequently this is because it points you back to a page in the book where this step has been explained and illustrated in detail. You may think of this section as a useful and thoughtful collation of information distributed elsewhere in the book. This is an excellent example, therefore, of how carefully and thoughtfully this book has been put together.

An appendix is included for purposes of making measurement conversions, and also as a guide to drill bits. There is a thorough glossary, a good contents and a thorough index.

If there is one major shortcoming of this book, I feel it is the fact that all of the projects illustrated count on you attaching the deck to your existing home structure. This is actually by no means necessary, and actually not doing so might make it so you don’t need a permit, and generally make the job simpler. This book further neglects to inform the reader that many companies produce pre-made or modular deck kits, which again are an easier and often very economical solution for many. These things should definitely be in the considerations of anyone planning to put up a deck. Good luck!

More of my reviews in do-it-yourself:

Building Fences and Gates
Building composters
Step-by-step Birdhouses
The Complete Photo Guide to Outdoor Home Improvement: More Than 150 Projects
Building Barbecues and Outdoor Kitchens

Recommended: Yes