GOOD, BETTER, BEST
Like the decking manufacturers offer "Good, Better, and Best" products, Michiana Deck Builders offers "Good, Better, and Best" installation and construction techniques.
Footer Options
Good - Concrete Footers
Concrete footers are poured solid in builder tube forms to above grade level. Bottoms of support posts rest on top of galvanized metal brackets with standoffs to prevent decay.
Better - Diamond Piers
Best - Helical Screw Piles
Often, the condition of subsoils which footers rest on is poor. This tends to be especially true near bodies of water. We offer both pin pile and helical screw pile foundation footer options to ensure that your deck will never fail due to frost heave or soil settling.
Concrete Footer
Concrete footers are poured solid in builder tube forms to above grade level. Bottoms of support posts rest on top of galvanized metal brackets with standoffs to prevent decay.Diamond Pier
Often, the condition of subsoils which footers rest on is poor. This tends to be especially true near bodies of water. We offer both pin pile foundation footer options to ensure that your deck will never fail due to frost heave or soil settling.Techno Metal Post
Often, the condition of subsoils which footers rest on is poor. This tends to be especially true near bodies of water. We offer helical screw pile foundation footer options to ensure that your deck will never fail due to frost heave or soil settling.Framing Options
Good
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Grade #1 Framing Lumber
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Ground Contact Framing Lumber
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6x6 Support Posts
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Diaphragm Bracing on decks with Hidden Fasteners
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Hurricane Ties
Better - All of the above, plus
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Standard Mid Span Blocking
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Stone with Weed Barrier below First Story Deck
Best - All of the above, plus
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Deck flattening with Mid Span Blocking Fastened with Structural Timber Screws
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Picture Frame Deck Border Blocking
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Decking Inlays Framing Available
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Vycor Flashing
Grade #1 Framing Lumber
Ground Contact
6x6 Support Posts
Diaphragm Bracing
Hurricane Ties
Standard Midspan Blocking
Stone with Weed Barrier
Deck Flattening
Picture Frame Border Blocking
Deck Inlay Framing
Vycor Flashing
Decking Installation Wood
Good
-
Face Screwed with butt joints
Better
-
Seam boards eliminate butt joints
Best
-
Seam boards eliminate butt joints
-
Picture frame border around deck perimeter
Face Screwed with Butt Joints
Seam Boards
Picture Frame Border
Decking Installation Composite
Good
-
Seam boards eliminate butt joints
-
Hidden fasteners with exposed ends
Better
-
Seam boards eliminate butt joints
-
Decking ends hidden with fascia
Best
-
Seam boards eliminate butt joints
-
Picture frame border around deck perimeter
Seam Boards
Exposed Ends
Fascia Covered Ends
Picture Frame Border
Deck & Stair Trim
Good
Exposed Grade #1 Southern Yellow Pine
Better
Rough Cedar or White PVC
Best
Colored Composite
Pine Trim
Cedar Trim
PVC Trim
Composite Trim
Wood Stairs
Good
-
48" Width
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2x12 Grade #1 Stringer
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2x6 Grade #1 Treads
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Fully Closed Risers
Better
-
48" Width
-
Fully Closed Risers
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Notched Stringers
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5/4" Deck Board Treads
Best
-
48" Width
-
Fully Closed Risers
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Notched Stringers
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5/4" Deck Board Treads with Returned Edges
Good Wood Stairs
Better Wood Stairs
Best Wood Stairs
Composite Stairs
Good
-
48" Width
-
Notched Stringers
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Composite Treads
Better
-
48" Width
-
Notched Stringers
-
Composite Treads with Returned Edges
Best
-
Custom Stairs (Curved, Spiral, Aluminum)
Good Composite Stairs
Better Composite Stairs
Best Stairs
Cascading Steps
Cascading steps are an available feature for low to grade decks.
