There was a deck on this (that’s being charitable) when we bought it – should have been replaced about a dozen years ago. It was right in between real rough and hey! – it just leaned plumb over and laid down into the yard next door . . .
Tracked down a guy that does trailer decks – his actual bread and butter is repossession of decks -might tell some tales about that one day – but he builds them as well . . .
Out with the old – In with the new – woof bam two days – done . . .
The old deck was taken part piece by piece and stacked (not chopped apart) in just over 4 hours – had it been fairly new so the screw heads were all still good – closer to 3 hours!
I spent several days putting lattice on it so my neighbor doesn’t have to stare at the underside of the deck . . .
can we have porcher kissers daddy?
The lattice with the strips of roof membrane/rock thing really makes the deck look “finished” . . .
I spent the better part of a 2 week period looking at gates – online and in person – and found nothing that would look “right” and work worth a shit . . .
Then I came across “Homax Easy Gate Kit” at Menards – so I made the gates to look just like the railing and put them together with the kit – I added little casters to bottom corner of the gates – just to eliminate any chance of sag . . .
I really need to get that bit of sidewalk done before winter . . .
The “gates” really came out nice – they work easily – keep the boys on the deck when needed – and blend in visually very well . . .
the gates look good open or closed . . .
You really need to take your time and cut the boards accurately – for me? That was a challenge! I’m one of those “I have cut this board three times and – Damn It Jim! – (he never said that in the original series – but here are some clips for you) it’s still too short!!” sorta wood butchers – LOL! So it took several days to put them together – but the effort was worth it . . .
The end facing the street has a full width opening – 8 feet – so I put a 5 foot and a 3-foot gate – the 5-foot gate is drop pinned to the deck and remains stationary unless it needs to be opened to move something on or off the deck.
Taking a pic of the hardware on the “double gate” end and Oliver photo bombed me – LOL!
Oliver is like – “Do you need me to pose for you, Daddy?”
And then they all realized I was taking pics – Oliver plopped down on his butt into his “I’m cool” pose – Curtis is doing his “on-guard” pose – and Theo is doing his “I focus Daddy, give me treat!” pose . . .
The boys get more use out of the deck than we do! They run from the back fence all the way to the front of the deck – gotta check out the street don’t you know! – the boys keep the lady next door (and her yard) under close scrutiny – never know when an evil cat might be lurking! And get along with her? – it makes for a special day when she comes over and gets porcher kissers through the railings – and when she comes over and sits in the yard with Mommy and Daddy? – it’s a genuine magic moment!
So, if YOU are thinking about a deck (?) look around and check prices from just about anyone that will bid the job (the assumption is that it’s not a DIY thing) and look some more – the variance in prices will more than likely shock you. The other nice thing about getting a contractor is code compliance for your locality – and there are variances depending on exactly what and where you’re doing it. The other thing is to check with folks that have used that contractor – use a little common sense here, folks . . .
Been a busy summer so far – and still awhile (and several projects) to go yet – that is one thing you learn about South Dakota – get it done BEFORE the snow starts flying – LOL!
Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!
Guns, Fun, Food and More 