Deck Building

Course Number:
CT 113
Transcript Title:
Deck Building
Created:
Aug 09, 2022
Updated:
Apr 28, 2023
Total Credits:
3
Lecture Hours:
0
Lecture / Lab Hours:
60
Lab Hours:
0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
No
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0
Prerequisites

MTH 98 or placement into MTH 65; placement into IRW 115 or WR 115

Course Description

Introduces the methods and materials used for proper site preparation in deck and porch installations. Outlines the steps followed in the construction of a deck or porch. Covers the identification of defects that impact safety in wood and composite decks and porches. Prerequisites: MTH 98 or placement into MTH 65; placement into IRW 115 or WR 115. Audit Available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate safe practices associated with Construction industry.
  2. Identify and compare varying types of decks and porches.
  3. Select and install appropriate fasteners for deck and porch construction.
  4. Prepare deck or porch site for layout and construction.
  5. Recognize advantages and disadvantages of different structural and decking materials.
  6. Identify defects that can impact safety in wood and composite decks and porches.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Outcome #1: Demonstrate safe practices associated with Construction industry.

  • Cleanliness of work area
  • Recognizing margins for specific tool safety – Red Zone
    • Saws
    • Drills
    • Hand tools
  • Maintaining tools in proper working condition
  • Safety rules of thumb:
    • Don’t force tools to do something they are not meant to do
    • Be present when using tools
    • Stay alert to what is going on around you

Outcome #2: Identify types of decks and porches and their differences.

  • Describe the types of decks and their features
    • Ground level deck (footings only)
    • Raised deck (footings, post anchors)
  • Discuss porch styles and their features
    • Open porch (no enclosure, roof)
    • Screened Porch (screened, roof)
    • Farmhouse porch (runs width of house, no enclosure, roof)

Outcome #3: Select and install appropriate fasteners for deck and porch construction.

  • Demonstrate installation of concealed fasteners
  • Identify connectors to use for decks and porches

Outcome #4: Prepare site for layout and construction.

  • Study local codes for deck and porch building
  • Access appropriate building permits
  • Lay out a deck using measuring tape
  • Prove corners of deck using diagonal measurements
  • Install a ledger for deck attachment

Outcome #5: Recognize advantages and disadvantages of different structural and decking materials.

  • Identify grades, species and sizes of wooden structural materials
  • Choose materials the resist decay and withstand outdoor exposure
  • Describe composite boards and their use
  • Properly dispose of composite scrap according to EPA regulations

Outcome #6: Identify defects that can impact safety in wood and composite decks and porches.

  • Identify checks and splits in wood boards
  • Identify rot and decay in wood boards
  • Recognize crooks and bows in wood boards
  • Identify delamination of composite boards
  • Recognize fiber and bonding defects of composite boards

Suggested Texts and Materials

Modern Carpentry, 12th Edition, Wagner, Smith