Outdoor Cooking/Entertaining Area Build

[RonB]

That looks like a fun project. I hope you enjoy the rest.

[Dewesq55]

Making progress, slowly but surely. Tomorrow I should finish the framing of the section over the patio, if the weather cooperates. Then it will be time to set the beams.

[fzxdoc]

I really enjoy seeing each new post pop up from you on this topic, Dewesq55 . I like sitting here, enjoying the progress, and not having to lift a finger. You're doing a great job.

Kathryn

[Dewesq55]

Thanks, Kathryn.

[Dewesq55]

It seems that everything takes much longer than I think it will. Anyway, I worked until after dark, finishing up by artificial light to complete the final section of framing over the concrete patio. The next step is to manufacture and set the two 32 foot doubled 2x8 drop beams so that i can framer the rest of the deck.

[Donw]

When this project is finally complete you are going to love it not only for the functionality but also as a daily reminder of a job well done. I admire you both for your dedication to doing it right. With that said, after imagining all your hard work, I suddenly feel quite exhausted and am thinking of taking a shower and a nap.🙂

[fzxdoc]

I always feel that way after I read another one of Dewesq55 's posts here.

K.

[Dewesq55]

Today I built the first of 2 beams. Because of some idiosyncracies in how my foundation blocks were spaced, I had to cut some of the boards and fit them together. They are then glued with construction adhesive and screwed top and bottom every so many inches with structural screws (lag substitutes.) The finished beam is 32 feet long made from doubled 2x8 pressure treated and it weighs a freaking ton. I couldn't lift one end off the ground by myself beyond the few inches that it flexed in the middle. I'm not quite sure how we are going to lift it onto the post connectors when the time comes. In the photo it is just sitting on to of the posts, not connected. I will have to roll it off to attach the connectors to each post. I was hoping to get both beams built today, but I ran out of adhesive on the middle of the first one and head to go but more. Now I don't have enough screwed to do the second one (it takes a lot) and I have to go back to the store to buy more screws. I know, poor planning😣

[ofelles]

I'm sitting here trying to relax.  You are not helping with all this work you are doing.  ​​​​​​​😎

[DavidNorcross]

Looks great. Loving these updates. Thank you for sharing!

[Spinaker]

This is gonna be awesome! Keep the updates coming! I can't wait to see what it looks like when you are finished.

[Dewesq55]

You and me both, John! Barbara keeps coming with the design details between classes and work. 😛

[Spinaker]

Well at least she is into it! That is a good thing! I cant wait to see what you all come up with. Dewesq55

[Jim White]

Like the others, I've really been enjoying these updates. This structure is going to be so substantial, it may well outlast the brick house it's attached to...

[Dewesq55]

Jim White - It might be a bit over constructed in terms of the framing, but I want it to last.

[HouseHomey]

That looks like hungry work. Wow!!

[Dewesq55]

Is a lot. I'm doing it all myself so it's taking forever. Today I discovered that I somehow made an error when determining the length of my first post. Since that became the reference which every other post (18 of them) was leveled to, all of my posts are ~ an inch and a half too high. So every one has to be recut and re-leveled. And 4 of the foundation blocks need to be removed and reset deeper into the ground.

[HouseHomey]

Can’t you just have the deck be higher? Who’s gonna notice an inch and a half?

[Dewesq55]

The short answer is "no." An inch and a half would be a significant tripping hazard, and wouldn't look very nice. The fact is that cutting the posts that were long enough to be cut was not a big deal. The issue is the four out of 18 that were already so short that there is no room to cut them shorter and so needed to be excavated to drop them lower.

[Dewesq55]

The last few days there was stuff being done but nothing visual to show. But today there was flurry of activity which shows a lot of progress. We got both beams set and installed and we did it ourselves with no outside help. I got one additional frame module built and it is laying on top of the beams. With luck, tomorrow I will build the remaining rectangles. It's getting there.

[Mr. Bones]

Furiously consumin Adult Beverages, in a attempt to be supportive... lol

[tstalafuse]

I am at the beginning stage of having to rebuild the deck the previous owner built using pressure treated lumber. Pressure treated lumber is good at withstanding moisture penetration.. If aren't considering it, you also should consider adding joist tape across the top of the joists as it will seal out moisture from getting inside the joist boards from the top where you attach the 5/4 planking to the joists... At this point I have many rotted joists, and ledger boards because they didn't use it..

Just my two pennies to add to what looks like an awesome deck!

[Dewesq55]

Today's work: 2 more frame modules built and set in place. They are not attached to anything yet. When I get the last one built I will bolt them all together and then attach them to the back row before installing the joists.

[Dan Deter]

Its looking good!

[Dewesq55]

Thanks. It still surprises me every time I put a level on it that it's actually level. LOL.

[Mr. Bones]

Hard not to be envious, admittedly, Barrister: Yer deck is already bigger than my Duplex...