Many home centers offer deck kits for the homeowners that want to build a deck but aren't all that sure of their sawing skills. They come with everything you could need for standard sized decks and railings and offer complete step-by-step instructions. The real advantage to deck kits is the precut lumber. While you may pay a few dollars more for the packaged kit, it could save the inexperienced homeowners a lot of waste if their skills don't match their desire.

Deck Kits Eliminate the Guesswork

Many people improperly size the lumber for the supporting structure of their deck, but a kit will eliminate those mistakes. Too often the novice will build the deck using all 2X4s since they are cheaper, but they simply won't support the weight of all the other wood, furniture, and people. Depending on the size and location of the deck, support lumber can be anything from 2X6s to 2X12s. Joists are almost always 2X6s or 2X8s. Deck kits will eliminate the need to figure out which to use.

Have you ever been on someone's deck and felt it sag as you walked on it? That's a direct result of either improper spacing of the joists or the support beams that carry the joists. Standard joist spacing is either 16" on center or 24" on center. Obviously the closer the joists the less the decking will sag, but there is a point at which building them too closely will only add to the cost of the project.

The actual decking material itself can be a confusing choice even when using deck kits. Once, most people used 2X4 decking exclusively. As deck building became more popular and guys began to discuss them at work, 2X6s usually came up as a better way to go for most weekend warriors. Then 5/4" decking boards with rounded edges became in vogue, and now it's composites that have everyone discussing the cost versus the advantages at the morning office coffee breaks. Talk with the people at the home center and decide which is best for your deck's appearance, budget, and skill level when you buy a deck kit.