Step 3: Meet Your Coach

Once you have your project vision, it is time to meet your Coach! Each Turkstra location has Coaches who specialize in our different product categories (gameplans), and their training is aimed at helping YOU Build-It-Better.

A meeting with your Build-It-Better Coach will focus on the details of your project, such as timing, budget, materials, style, and so much more. Proper planning and resources are critical to the success of your project, which is why we take the time to work through the details of your project together.

Deck Terms

Baluster/spindle: Vertical components that provide support, safety and design options to the deck railing.

Beam: A framing member attached to the posts used to support the joists.

Bridging: Short pieces of lumber that strengthen the framing and reduce bounce in joists.

Cantilever: A construction method that involves extending the joists beyond the support beam or the support beam beyond the posts.

Cap rail: Horizontal board that runs along the deck on top of the rail posts.

Deck blocks: Pre-cast concrete blocks that sit on top of the ground and are used to hold up posts.

Deck boards: Boards that make up the surface of the deck. The standard size is 5/4” x 6” but a 2×6 can be used as an alternative. Deck boards are secured to the joists.

Expansion and Contraction: Boards expand when they heat and contract when they cool. When spacing deck boards, you must leave a small gap to allow for expansion and contraction.

Fascia: Boards that cover the end of the deck boards and rim boards for aesthetic purposes. Skirting can be added to cover the space between the fascia and the ground.

Footings/piers: A concrete column that supports the beam and the deck structure. A footing is below ground where a pier is above ground.

Grade line: The slope of the ground.

Guardrail: A lower horizontal rail that runs along the rail posts.

Joist: Horizontal framing members that support the decking boards.

Joist hanger: A pre-engineered piece that attaches joists to ledger boards, rim boards and beams. Joist hangers are galvanized to prevent rust and rot.

Joist hangers: Metal fasteners that attach the joist to the rim or ledger boards.

Ledger board: A board attached to the house to support one side of the deck. Not used on a freestanding deck.

Nominal Dimensions: The label given to a piece of lumber. For example, a 2×4 is the name of a board that actual measures approximately 1 7/16” X 3 ½”.

Post anchor/saddle: Metal brackets that attach the post to the footings/piers.

Posts: Timbers set vertically to support the deck framing, usually attached to the footings and the beams. Typically a 4×4 post is used for deck construction.

Rail posts: Vertical posts that hold the railing. Attached to the framing of the deck.

Rim board: The board that runs along the ends of the other joists. Creates the outside edge of the deck framing.

Riser/Toe board: Vertical board attached to steps on a stairway.

Sono tube: A form used to hold concrete in place when setting footings/piers.

Stair stringers: Long diagonal framing members that support stair treads.

Tread: Horizontal board that makes each step in a staircase.

Sub-structure: The part of deck construction that is below the deck boards and supports the load of the deck. Components of the sub-structure include joists, beams, hangers, anchors, posts and footings.

Below, you will find Project Information Sheets that will get you thinking about your project and some of your Coach's questions. Feel free to get a head-start before meeting with your Coach by filling out a form and bringing it to your meeting.