Today I'm going to start a new series of posts on our deck project. First a little background. We moved into our house 12 years ago. About 11 1/2 years ago I started to develop a disliking for the deck. It was a large, single level patform built from mostly untreated lumber. Typically I would have one or two rotting boards to replace and need to repaint it once a year. For all that work, we rarely used it for anything besides the occasional meal outside.

In the last couple of years, enough rot had developed in the joists underneath to make it a safety issue. So in addition to replacing deck planks, the last two summers I had to tear out and replace several joists from underneath the deck as well. The time had come for more drastic measures.

We have a big trampoline in the backyard (thanks again, Meredith and Jeff). Jumping with the kids on it over the years, I've often looked at the old deck and visualized replacing it with one that would include all of my favorite features: multiple levels, a pergola and most of all, a hot tub. Something that would look like this:

I knew I couldn't do it without the input and help of my Dad, who is a much better DYI carpenter than I am. I showed my concept drawing to him and he didn't balk at it (too much). As always, he was game to help.

The next thing I tackled was the hot tub. I stopped into the nearby Mainely Tubs shop, where they were having a used tub sale. Looking at the prices on these units and at some of the new spas inside the shop made me concerned that buying from a dealer would cost more than we could afford. I left a little discouraged and started looking into the option of buying something at a big box store like Home Depot or Lowes instead, but more research convinced me that this was a purchase best done through a dealer.

Happily, when I went back to the shop with my price range they were able to offer a nice entry-level spa that would meet our modest goals. I went back with Rebecca and we had a great time talking with the sales staff and settling on our tub, the Freeflow Azure.

When we returned from our road trip I submitted an application for a building permit and started on the more detailed plans. I struggled to figure out a design that would support the weight of a hot tub, the beams of a pergola, and the two levels of the deck. At first I thought I could create a separate support structure for the tub, using a “sandbox” of beams filled with crushed rock. Because I needed it raised to 18 inches or so, this turned out to be impractical. I decided on a seperate wooden deck instead, which meant more concrete pillars to dig.

Here was the final design for the framing:

Next up, tearing down the old deck!