growing up building houses, we always set the string off the end posts with a single 2x4 - 1.5" - then we use another 2x4 to gauge alignment of intermediate posts - much easier than pulling out a tape & measuring 18". we did the same when straightening/bracing walls

This is fantastic. Looks like you knocked out about half the work in the first video. Looking forward to the rest of the series! Finished project looks amazing (as always). Seeing how projects are completed in steps is so helpful. You build confidence in those who want to take on a project! Thank you!

That tape measure is awesome! I"ve never seen one before, but now that I have, I can't believe ALL tape measures aren't marked top AND BOTTOM! Of course, after I get one, it'll probably just end up being one more tool I won't be able to find when I need it... :)

@Stormsniper01

10 ай бұрын

Yankee black widow.. made by lufkin…

What a project! Really ambitious. Also love the efforts around the video editing and quality. The hard work on both show and the results are awesome. TY.

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

I enjoy all your videos April. However, I especially enjoy your MASSIVE projects! I like that you show the details of the build. Along with explaining the tools that you use. 😃👏

Wow! What beautiful, meticulous attention to detail. Such a gorgeous end result. Lots of skill tips from a born teacher, too. Teach a person to catch a fish, and you feed them for a lifetime! Thank you so much.

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoy my channel and find my projects useful. Thanks for watching.

That tip about the string line is top notch. Never would have thought of that even though I knew about the problem

Love the step by step and the Lingle you used to make it very easy to follow directions. 👍👍👍

I know a guy who put his floor joists running diagonal and it is solid as a rock. You did a tremendous job. I need to put a new back porch deck on this summer and will refer to this while doing it. Thank you for sharing.👍

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

post wrap and joist tape are really smart! lil extra effort will add MANY extra years (as u said) probably will outlive the builder!!!

Nice work April! Looking great! Excited to see the rest of this series. Thanks and be safe out there!

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

Good morning, April! Wow, what an undertaking! It looks pretty awesome so far and I can't wait to see the finished product! Thanks for sharing. Have a great week. God bless.

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

I built a 2-story play structure for my kids last summer that has an elevated deck. I considered using something like joist tape, but I ended up not doing it. However, I used Seal-Once penetrating waterproofing sealer on my joists and also my beams. I used a mix of non-PT yellow pine (for beams) and Douglas Fir for joists. I think the Seal-Once works really well, and I'd recommend it. I do think that joist tape might be more robust to prevent moisture from sitting on top of horizontal wood. However, in my application, I put a roof over my structure. I used clear, corrugated polycarbonate roofing. A little bit of condensation and wind-driven rain might get onto some horizontal members, but the roof over everything keeps out > 95% of the water, and I think this massively extends the lifetime. So I went with penetrating liquid waterproofing wood sealer rather than joist tape because I think joist tape looks kind of ugly when you can see it from below. If you have a rim joist (or is that a band joist?) and you cannot really see the sides of your joists then I think joist tape is a good idea.

I'm never disappointed when I watch your work.

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Aw thanks! I'm glad you enjoy my channel.

Always admire your work. There's nothing you can't make it April. 🥰🥰

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

That deck is just Gorgeous!!!! I am finishing mine up and I have really been working hard on my job and by the time I get off work, I am tired and haven't finished it. But, this has definitely inspired me to get it done!!! Your deck makes me wish that mine was bigger! Incredible work, April!

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

shortest and longest 16 minutes of my life. You went all in on the specialized tools and best lumber. It'll stand forever and look great

Haven't seen you for a couple of years April. I see you're prospering nicely. Awesome project. And, you still have that signature wave. Don't lose that girl. Cheers

WOW very very nice deck April! Can't wait to see the next one!

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! Stay tuned.

And to think she started out with doing some projects in her basement! April, you've come a long way! Great project, as always!

Great job as usual! Like all the details that you point out, materials, tools and techniques. Can’t wait for the next show.

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much! I'm glad you find my videos useful. Thanks for watching.

Nice and instructive video, April. Thanks for sharing and greetings from Colombia.

Nice job. I think i would tape the tops of the joists before installation. That’s what i did for my kid’s treehouse. Saved a lot of time and was a lot easier. Keep up the great work!

@jeffshackleford3152

Жыл бұрын

That is how I have done it in the past, the only thing is it is annoying to get blocking in there if you need it.

Looking good April, that's a fine looking deck you all are building. Keep up the great videos and thanks for sharing with us. Fred.

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

Years ago when I first heard about waterproofing membranes, none of the deck builders around me knew about it or would put it in, calling it dumb. I ended up buying it on my own and applying it on in the evenings after they were done framing. I also added hurricane ties.

Damn girl, you're full of knowledge! I love the idea of sloping the concrete footings and also the extendable speed square!

Beautiful. I also love the fact that you literally get paid for improving your own home!

I just love your DIY videos, I always learn something.

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoy them and find them useful.

We used to use 6 inch wide strips of roof felt to create a drip edge on the top of joists, etc. worked very well.

Good Work -- you make all of this look so easy

String line tip is gold

April. You gotta quit making this look so easy. The wife wants me to do this now

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Well, I show step by step. Why don't you do it together and have fun with it? Thanks for watching.

@iamepimethus

Жыл бұрын

Sounds like she’d love to help out with this particular project!

@backyardworker

Жыл бұрын

Dear wife. No problem, it will take a while to do, but it sure is possible. Well, of course, after I got all the needed tools... ☺

@ToxicSpork

Жыл бұрын

The crew she has helping her makes it look easy

@Sampson2833

Жыл бұрын

😂😅😂😅

awesome video April thanks for the tips ill have to use the tape of the joists and post wrap on my next desk thanks and be safe

One very important thing you did correctly that should be mentioned, is add a 2x6 to the face of the beam to support the underside of the notched 2x10's. The added piece's are shown in the view at 13:05. When you first slid them in beside the old 2x8's with the underside notched out, I was horrified, because that notch actually makes the 2x10 even WEAKER than the 2x8, unless the bottom is fully supported. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that was done at 13:05 and give you a thumbs up for completing a not-so-obvious but very critical engineering detail.

@MichaelOnines

Жыл бұрын

The code governing wood design allows an end-bearing notch of up to 1/4 the depth of the joist without reduction in the bending strength for the member. You do have to reduce the shear capacity, but long joists like this are almost always controlled by the bending stress and not by the shear at the ends.

@jamesbeecher4431

11 ай бұрын

that was my thought as I saw her sliding the 8 ends of the 2x10s in alongside the 2x8s. I see she did put a supporting board along the bottom of the 2x10s but it looks like a 2x4 and would prefer the 2x6 or even 8

APRIL,SOMETIMES IT’S GREAT WHEN A PROJECT GETS OUT OF HAND 😁👍💚💚💚

You guys rocked this deck out real proper like! I watched this build from beginning to now and it was very awesome to see it come together. Well done🤙🏾💯

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@lovejones7545

9 ай бұрын

@@AprilWilkerson I enjoy all of your videos April, You're awesome!!

Thanks April, I just built the 1/2 picnic tables and they are fantastic!!

@AprilWilkerson

10 ай бұрын

Awesome! Glad you like them. Thanks for watching.

April, you're awesome!

I love your videos and I just did my own cabinet doors, with pocket screws. Thanks for the encouragement. I spray the posts I set in the ground with automotive rust-proofing. I have no tests proving this is a good idea, I'll let you know in 20 years or so. The self stick looks good too, might try that next time. I've used joist tape since I read about it in Fine Homebuilding, a few years ago, seems like a nice idea and cheap insurance. I figure none of the joists I set in place, ove the years, have really seen any water at all.

In my part of nh we need a sono tube or Bigfoot 4 feet down and then attach the post with a post base above ground

just finished building the wood deck around my BBQ shed. I would use mark down lumber from, home depot and my local lumber yard. I am old school used old oil from the tractor shop coat the post. I bought the harbor freight 3 yard mixer, works great

It is a nice looking project. I would recommend adding columns mid span of the existing exterior beam. You are doubling the load on the beam with the deck extension. It is also better (required by code in most locations) to use a concrete footing with a pedestal that extents at least 8" above grade. It is okay to bury fence posts but not columns for decks and houses. Big Foot for the footings is a good product for decks like this.

Nice job on building the deck April! Thank you for sharing the video with us!😎💖👍JP

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!

@IEnjoyCreatingVideos

Жыл бұрын

@@AprilWilkerson Your very welcome April! Have a wonderful Sunday😎

Whoa! Production quality is so high on this video, loving it!

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Very nice thanks for all the good tips.

NICE Project!! Waiting to see the rest.

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Another great video Ms April 👍

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 😀

Well done my friends !!😀😀😀😀😀

Thats a badass framing nailer. Senco makes great tools!

Wow snazzy new intro & finish 👍. You all have my dream job!!!

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!!

I don't get how that sleeve will work if the bottom is still exposed. Concrete will still allow water to get to the bottom and it will rot from there.

@StuartLowPhotography

Жыл бұрын

if you seal the bottom then it traps moisture which can cause frost heave which can crack the footings. Whats more of a concern is the depth of the footings. They're way too shallow.

@johnpalmer3848

Жыл бұрын

The bottom of the post sits on a layer of gravel shoveled into the hole for drainage.

Love the cattle watering trough pool!

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I love the look! Thanks for watching.

I have followed this on your instagram and can't wait to see the rest of the series! Awesome content!

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

Everything you build is great, thank you

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Glad you like them!

Gosh who would have thought you could sit on a board and apply tape then move it AWESOME geez you have a whole team Finally a clamp shows up

The social media build-up (pun intended) for this series has been incredible! Could not wait to see this! April always shares some really useful pro tips that have helped me on a number of projects. I've got a future rear deck build coming up, so I'm paying close attention. I got some big DIY love for this Texas gal! Just sayin'!!! Lol! Best wishes! Thanks always for sharing! 😎👍❤ PS- The graphic splashes at the end of the video are pretty darn good! Pretty impressive!

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

Love the string line tip!! Every girl who loves to build needs a Jacob. Mine is Keith!

fantastic frame

Hey April, It's good to see that even you use Harbor Freight tools! I have the same Pittsburg 6 ft level.

Beautiful job

Nice to see a well-engineered design using notched posts. I see so many deck builders who attach their beams onto posts using lag screws or carriage bolts. That makes for a weak, and dangerous, deck that could fail under heavy loads.

Wow! Big job.

Absolutely Phenomenal. I enjoy all of your builds, videos, ideas. Mahalo for inspiration and for sharing. Aloha sista.

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy my channel. Thanks for watching.

Wonderful video and very educational . Helpful for me since I need to change my deck . Thanks 🙏

@AprilWilkerson

6 ай бұрын

Awesome! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching.

perfect timing, I'm going to be building a deck on my house this year!

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

That's awesome! Enjoy the build. Thanks for watching.

Good information there April. Thank you

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad it was helpful!

Awesome editing and quality of the vid!

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

That was awesome

im also building my own deck from scratch and thought about vlogging the result...including EVERY penny ive spent on even the smallest fastener. the ABSOLUTE most important part of building a deck DIY is having someone to help.

Have a wheel barrow there so when you toss those cut offs they go into the wheel barrow Instead of having to pick up off the ground later...

Nice quality build, April! As an "old timer" carpenter/builder, There are 2 things I could ad for cost savings. One would be to paint 2 coats of fibered roof paint on the post ends. This will triple the life of the posts, especially here in wet Florida. Another would be to staple 2" strips of tar paper to the tops of the joists. I cut 3' lengths and attach them as the decking progresses so it is easy to reach out. I am amazed at how few builders do this, I think they just don't know about it or care about 10, 20 years down the road. I have torn off face split, rotted, and neglected deck boards to find near new joists protected this way, huge money saver.

@kiwigrunt330

Жыл бұрын

Does your tar paper not rot?

@samTollefson

Жыл бұрын

@@kiwigrunt330 No, I've used 60# or 90# and never had an issue with it.

@ericmeissner8413

9 ай бұрын

This is the difference between an amateur and a professional.

@samTollefson

9 ай бұрын

@@ericmeissner8413 I like April; she is very innovative and needs these sponsors to make her business work. I want to offer these alternatives for regular folks with skinnier wallets so they can still produce a fine product.

👍 excelente puros trabajos en maderas super bien hechos te sigo siempre en todos tus proyectos realizados 🙅

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind words. Thanks for watching.

Wow. Just discovered this channel. Very impressive.

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoy it!

Amazing 😍, i appreciate the effort

I always enjoy your videos, April. You do make me nervous though when you toenail the opposite side of the joist into the beam, while pointing the gun toward yourself.

love this woman!

Good tips. I never heard of joist tape before. Thanks.

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Great! Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.

For posts and joists you would never see why not just char them for anti rot and bug infiltration? Nordic countries and Asia have been doing it for thousands of years with many structures still standing. Save a lot of time versus tape and sleeves especially as you already have the propane burner. Maybe try it on a smaller future project?

@shawnbrennan7526

Жыл бұрын

I’m not sure, but I wouldn’t start burning any wood that had been chemically dipped.

very nice project

You seem to have a new production style. I like it.

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Great job ya’ll

You are amazing! Wow!

super deck, wow

Sweet Deck!

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Excellent

I usually use a cut piece of wood for my spacers between my joists when I have several of them. Very nice project...

@AprilWilkerson

6 ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

Dang !!! that's a big project. Wife likes the idea. Perhaps, I can get my financial advisor(wife) to let me buy a new table saw as part of job expenses. You always good instructions on how to. I think every part of Texas is different, so it's always good to mention soil conditions, that always explains some of the why we do things, the way we do. My part of Texas is hard clay. I am close to SPI .

That kinda reminds me of shrink tubing but for wooden posts? Never saw this one coming...good job and what an awesome deck! There's one in my future so thanks for that too.

@definitelynotaheretic.7295

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I’m not sure how well that shrink stuff will actually work. Unless there’s an adhesive or something that’s making a literal waterproof seal at the top between the wrap and the wood, it’s probably just going to help some, but not much. A better solution would be to put the posts on top of the concrete with a post anchor that gets it off of the column, versus into the concrete underground. But I live in an area with tons of rain, so take that into account lol.

Super video super série ❤

I remember when she was building 1" x 12" pine shelves in her garage...you have come a very ling way, keep up the good work

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it has been quite the journey to be sure! Thanks for staying along for the ride.

Great Job!!!😇AS always!!!

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

Great video! Thanks for sharing!!

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Im not sure where you live, but pretty funny watching yii guus set those posts. I live in Canada. Stardard for us is 4' concrete in the ground and post on top. Thats our frost line. Neat to see different stuff.

Do I plan on ever building my own deck? No Did I watch this entire video in awe? Absolutely

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yes, I have many Viewers who aren't Makers or Builders but enjoy my channel for the entertainment factor. They like to see what I'm up to now. :) Thanks for watching.

great job

April my hat is off to you you've got to be one of the most impressive and multi-skilled person I have watched on KZread! Allso you're a good-looking woman which is even more impressive I hope you don't find this offensive I just admire your work ethic and how you approach things. Truly inspiring, you are a hell of a go-getter I wonder what inspired you to work with woodworking was somebody in your family a woodworker?

Iv watched you for years and years and I honestly think I just found the most impressive woman on KZread.

Looks great.

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

this is exciting! 👍🏾

@AprilWilkerson

Жыл бұрын

It really is!

Great video. One of the best ones I’ve seen on this topic. Very clear and to the point. Lots of details that others leave out or bury in their videos. I actually have some questions though. Do I have to use a six by six for my post if my deck is only a few inches off the ground?