如何扩展现有甲板

在这一点上，您可能正在利用自己的想象力，并为娱乐新的扩展甲板享受白日梦。尽管我们讨厌打破泡沫，但我们必须建议您检查当地building codesand permit requirements. Do this early in the process so that you know what limitations it may pose. The codes from your local building department or homeowners association might limit the size or location of your expanded deck (perhaps that's the reason why it's so small to begin with!). You'll also need to contact your utility companies and ask them to send someone out to your house to mark any underground utility lines.

Before widening or lengthening your deck, it's vital to ensure that the original deck is structurally sound: Check the framing for any signs of rotting, cracking or other degradation. If the deck is attached to the house (not freestanding), make sure the ledger board is properly secured to the side of the house. Also, inspect the posts underneath that support the deck for evidence of having heaved and thawed. Even if you're simply adding a new level to the deck, and the existing foundation won't be used to support the new portion, use this renovation as an opportunity to update the old deck if needed.

在计划甲板布局时，请使用连接到击球板或木桩的梅森绳子。承包商将使用此方法保持甲板水平和正方形，但是您可以在初始计划阶段使用它来可视化甲板的位置。考虑太空问题，并在梅森弦区域内设置所需的草坪家具。不要忘记阳光曝光，甲板延伸会得到多少阳光或阴影。

Even if you plan to雇用承包商to install the deck extension for you, it's a good idea to do all these steps anyway, so that you know what to expect and can be as precise as possible when negotiating and explaining what you want.

大多数专家都认为，甲板扩展项目并非易事，最好雇用经验丰富的承包商为您完成工作。确保承包商已获得许可，拥有保险并获得任何必要的许可（如果甲板离地面足够近，则可能不需要许可证）。四处张望良好的估计，为每个承包商提供有关您所考虑的内容的具体细节。

Even if you hire a contractor, it's wise to know the basic deck-building process so you understand what's going on. Familiarize yourself with the names of deck components. Theledger是将甲板固定到房屋的董事会。垂直的帖子are set deep into the ground on concrete and secured with gravel. Local codes will likely dictate the minimum depth of post holes for proper support, which will probably be below the frost line. You'll probably need to dig post holes and install new posts for additional support for your extension. You can mix the concrete for the posts on site or get it pre-mixed from a local supplier.

帖子连接到水平beams（也叫girders). The托梁是位于表面甲板下方并垂直于表面dek的水平支撑板。代码还可以指定托梁之间的距离。扩展甲板时，了解有关安全规则和法规尤为重要悬臂。悬臂是指超越支撑柱或托梁超越横梁的梁的横梁。它的延伸越远，它将越少。对于适当的排水，请确保表面甲板板略微间隔（大约是16d指甲的宽度）[来源：Lowes]。

如果甲板扩展远离地面，安全考虑也包括栏杆和栏杆(vertical support pillars between posts). And if you want access to the lawn, you'll also need to think about stairs. Codes may dictate the requirements for proper上升（高度）和跑步(depth) of each step.

Overall, the project will take several days (or several weekends) of tough, meticulous work, and costs can reach upwards of $5,000. But in the end, you'll have a lovelyoutdoor entertaining and living space那可能持续几十年。

For lots more information on construction projects, see the links on the next page.