Glossary

Anatomy of a Deck

Below is a diagram of a deck with some of the many components that make up a deck project broken down into terms and descriptions

Arbors: A structure that can be used for hanging plants or vines.

Awning: An overhead covering to provide shade and protection from the weather.

Balusters: The vertical members of a railing in between the posts. An overhead covering to provide shade and protection from the weather.

Bridging: Blocking used between joists to prevent then from rocking and twisting.

Decking: The boards that make up the floor of the deck. The decking or deck boards attach directly to the top of the floor joist.

Fascia: A decorative board used to cover the front and side rim joists.

Flashing: A material used to prevent water from entering the home particularly where the ledger board bolts to the house.

Footings: The concrete support foundation the deck is built upon.

Girder: A lateral support beam the floor joist rests on.

Joist: Spans of lumber that make the substructure of the floor the decking is fastened to

Joist Hangers: Metal brackets used to secure the joist ends to the ledger board.

Lattice: An open cross pattern of interweaved strips generally used for privacy screens and skirts.

Ledger Board: The board bolted to the house and joist ends get fastened to.

Deck Posts: The vertical lumber that rests on the footings to support the girders and deck.

Post base: Metal brackets to securely fasten the bottom of the post to the footings.

Post top: A decorative top that can be added to a railing post.

Rails: Rails are the top or bottom horizontal members spindles attached to.

Rise: The vertical distance of one step.

Risers: The vertical boards behind or in back of stair treads.

Skirt: Covers the underneath of a deck.

Spindles: The vertical members of a railing in between the posts also referred to as balusters.

Stringers: The framing for stairs the risers and treads attached to.

Tread: The step or part of stairs that is stepped on.

Trellis: An overhead wood structure constructed for a decorative look and to shade sun.