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Building a Wooden Patio Overhang

Materials and Tools:

screw gun and screws
hammer
crowbar
reciprocating saw
drill
socket wrench
flat saw bit
level
palm nailer and nails
framing nailer and nails
protective eye goggles and gloves
circular saw
notched trowel
roller
airless sprayer
ladder
post anchors
4x4 wood posts
framing ties
2x6 rafters
4x6 header
U26 joist hangers
T1-11 plywood
plywood
roofing adhesive
lonseal vinyl flooring
wood stain

Steps:

1. Carefully remove existing patio cover.

2. Decide the design of your new structure. Measure the footprint of where the posts will sit and mark on the foundation. Plan and measure layout.

Figure A
3. Install post anchors into the ground and set up the 4x4 posts with a palm nailer, making sure they are level before attaching.

4. Cut the posts to the desired height when in place. Install a 4x6 header on top of posts. Use carriage bolts to attach the header to the posts.

5. Install a 2x6’ ledger board on top of existing fascia board with carriage bolts for added strength for overhang.

6. Secure the joist hangers for the 2x6’ rafters to the fascia board on the house using the palm nailer. Lay out for 24-inch rafter spacing. Only secure one side of hanger to allow for the rafters to be adjusted and tightened when they are ready to be installed.

7. Lift the 2x6’ rafters into place from the hanging saddle to the anchored post to determine the proper placement for the notch for the header. Mark out for header notches at anchored posts.

8.Lower each rafter and cut out two inch notches at the header end – away from house – to maximize header height and maintaining a 1/4-inch to one-foot roof slope.

9. Install header on top of anchored posts – away from house – using a framing nailer, providing 2x6’ blocking.

Laying Pavers for a Backyard Patio

Tools and Materials:
gravel, course dirt and sand
pavers
straight 2”x4”x8’ boards
wood stakes and string
bender board
shovel and trowels
grading rake
tamper/vibrating compactor
level and measuring tape
hammer
dead-blow hammer

Steps:

1. Using a grading rake, smooth out the area and make sure it is fairly level.

2. With a shovel, and spread gravel evenly, covering the entire area making sure it’s still fairly level. Use the grading rake for leveling.

3. Spread the dirt out and repeat the same steps as you did with the gravel.

4. Repeat the process with the sand. Once sand is spread evenly, do a final pass with the grading rake. This process will create a nice solid base and it will also provide proper drainage.

5. Go over the entire area with a soil compactor/tamper to pack down the base.

6. Lay a 2x4 board on its side to do the final grading and remove any excess sand.

7. Lay 2x4 down flat on the ground then place a level on top of it to check that your surface is even.

8. Build the ledger frame for the patio using wood stakes and bender board. The ledgers will help keep the pavers in place.

9. Use measuring tape to make sure the area is framed out evenly. If it’s not even, the pavers won’t line up correctly.

10. Run a string from end to end on the framework using stakes to hold up the string. Run one string for the outside edge to keep your pavers straight and one string to rest right on top of the pavers for the height.

11. As you lay pavers down, make sure you set them straight down, vertically. If pavers are shifted from side to side you will get sand in between the pavers and they will not sit evenly. If needed, simply pick up the pavers and use a trowel to level the sand for that square.

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