“Whether you are a homeowner, a builder, or inspector, [BLACK+DECKER Deck Codes and Standards] is for you … this excellent and valuable manual is highly recommended.”  —Library Journal, review of the first edition

In this updated second edition, national codes expert Bruce A. Barker accurately shows how to design and build safe, long-lasting decks. Given that every year in the US more than 6,500 people go to the emergency room due to deck collapses and porch failures, following Barker’s careful and detailed advice is not only important for passing inspection, but for protecting against potential disaster.

Using the same common-sense approach he used in his bestselling book BLACK+DECKER Codes for Homeowners, Barker isolates the most frequent sources of trouble in deck building and shows—with photos, illustrations, and commentary—exactly how to do it correctly. This comprehensive reference includes:

• Deck safety considerations and advice about permits, codes, and standards
• Deck anatomy and how the parts work together as a system
• How to install new and inspect existing deck flashing, ledgers, stairs, guardrails and handrails, framing components, and deck posts, footings, and bracing
• Common problems and defects for each deck component
• A residential deck inspection checklist
• Sample deck plans for a ground-level walkout deck and a second-story walkout deck
• Tips for working with deck contractors

This updated edition is not only for DIYers who are building a brand-new deck. National deck building codes have changed significantly in the past five years. If your existing deck is more than two or three years old, you’ll want this detailed but accessible volume.