Pool Deck Build - Overview

Project: Pool deck around 24' above-ground pool
Plan: DecksGo Plan 18-42 (following plan specs)

Dimensions at a glance:

Framing area: 14'-0" wide × 14'-8" deep (with 2'-0" cantilevers all around the 3×3 post grid)
Stair projection: 4'-0" off the back edge
Effective deck area: 202.5 sq ft (pool curve trims some corners)
Deck top: 4'-6 1/4" above grade (flush with pool coping)

Hardware exchange required: Some items in the initial order don't match the plan's framing method. See Hardware Swap List before starting.

⚠ Open Items — resolve before the phase that needs them

Audit findings from cross-checking the plan, both invoices, and these instructions (Aug 2026). Cross each off as it's handled. The buy-list items below are all folded into the Hardware Swap List.

☐ Bushka return (TIME-SENSITIVE): LPC6Z caps (9) + LUS28Z hangers (35) still need to go back — the 60-day return window on Order #2 (dated 4/21) closed ~6/20. Ask for goodwill credit since the store spec'd the substitution. Needed before: whenever — but sooner is better.
☐ Make the swap-list purchase (~$840): NOTHING on the buy list has been purchased yet — no framing bolts, no Simpson screws, no railing hardware, no balusters. Phase 1 can't start without the SD10 screws; Phase 2 needs the beam bolts. Needed before: Phase 1.
☐ Balusters (~130): Not on either invoice and missing from the plan's own material list. Buy ~45 pcs 2x2x8 PT (or DecksGo Snap'n Lock aluminum kits: 11 deck + 3 stair). Needed before: Phase 7.
☐ Guard post bolts — 4 per post, not 2: Plan A3.2's Railing Post note calls for (4) 1/2" bolts per 4x4 post. Buy list now says 40 carriage bolts. Needed before: Phase 7.
☐ Beam bolts — buy 6-1/2", not 6": 5-1/2" of wood + washer + nut makes a 6" bolt marginal. Plan says 6" minimum, so 6-1/2" is compliant and comfortable. Needed before: Phase 2.
☐ Trex plug screws: On-hand 2" screws are "Enhance boards ONLY." Confirm with Bushka the correct screw for the Rainier plug system on Transcend Lineage (e.g., Cortex for Transcend), ~150 needed. Needed before: Phase 6.
☐ Stair treads/risers decision: Use the 12× 2x6x16 from Order #2 — two 2x6 per tread, one 2x6 per riser opening (closes open risers to pass the 4" sphere rule). Or buy 3× 2x12x8 for single-board treads. Needed before: Phase 7.
☐ Pool barrier / gate code check with inspector: CT commonly requires a self-closing, self-latching gate at deck stairs serving a pool, and may require 48" barrier height. Confirm whether the 36" rail + gate satisfies local code before building rails at 36". Needed before: Phase 7 (ideally at permit).
☐ Extra 2x8x8 for curved-rim blocking: Blocking stock from offcuts alone is tight. Needed before: Phase 4.

Build Phases

Key Specifications

Element	Specification
Deck size (framing)	14'-0" W × 14'-8" D (with cantilevers), 202.5 sq ft effective
Deck top elevation	4'-6 1/4" above grade (flush with pool coping)
Footings	9 total, 12" sonotubes with 24" bell footings (upsized from plan's 10")
Concrete	Quikrete 5000 (34 bags)
Posts	6x6 PT #2 SYP GC, rough-cut per footing (measured + ~6" margin), installed, then cut to height and notched in place
Post anchors	Simpson ABA66Z Z-MAX (single center anchor)
Concrete anchor	1/2" x 5-1/2" Torquemaster Blue Wedge Anchor Hot Galv
Beams	2-ply 2x8 PT SYP, three beams running perpendicular to pool
Beam-to-post	(2) 1/2" x 6-1/2" hex bolts with washers per connection (plan minimum 6")
Joists	2x8 PT SYP at 12" OC MODIFIED (plan called for 16")
Joist-to-beam	Simpson H2.5AZ hurricane ties (50 available)
Joist tape	Trex Protect 1-5/8" (joists) and 3-1/8" (beams)
Rim joist	2x8 PT SYP; curved section kerf-cut per A1.0 detail 02
Diagonal bracing	2x4 PT with 3/8" x 8" carriage bolts (per A3.4)
Decking	Trex Transcend Lineage Rainier grooved edge (528 LF + 64 LF)
Decking fasteners	Trex Universal Hidden Clips + Trex Plugs (perimeter/curve)
Fascia	Trex Transcend Lineage 1x12 Rainier (9 pieces)
Railing posts	4x4 PT (10 pieces at 8')
Guardrail	36" tall (per plan) — verify pool barrier code first (CT may require 48" and/or self-latching gate at stairs; see Open Items)
Stair stringers	2x12 PT (4 pieces at 10')
Pool-to-deck gap	1" between decking and coping (per A1.2)

Element

Specification

Deck size (framing)

14'-0" W × 14'-8" D (with cantilevers), 202.5 sq ft effective

Deck top elevation

4'-6 1/4" above grade (flush with pool coping)

Footings

9 total, 12" sonotubes with 24" bell footings (upsized from plan's 10")

Concrete

Quikrete 5000 (34 bags)

Posts

6x6 PT #2 SYP GC, rough-cut per footing (measured + ~6" margin), installed, then cut to height and notched in place

Post anchors

Simpson ABA66Z Z-MAX (single center anchor)

Concrete anchor

1/2" x 5-1/2" Torquemaster Blue Wedge Anchor Hot Galv

Beams

2-ply 2x8 PT SYP, three beams running perpendicular to pool

Beam-to-post

(2) 1/2" x 6-1/2" hex bolts with washers per connection (plan minimum 6")

Joists

2x8 PT SYP at 12" OC MODIFIED (plan called for 16")

Joist-to-beam

Simpson H2.5AZ hurricane ties (50 available)

Joist tape

Trex Protect 1-5/8" (joists) and 3-1/8" (beams)

Rim joist

2x8 PT SYP; curved section kerf-cut per A1.0 detail 02

Diagonal bracing

2x4 PT with 3/8" x 8" carriage bolts (per A3.4)

Decking

Trex Transcend Lineage Rainier grooved edge (528 LF + 64 LF)

Decking fasteners

Trex Universal Hidden Clips + Trex Plugs (perimeter/curve)

Fascia

Trex Transcend Lineage 1x12 Rainier (9 pieces)

Railing posts

4x4 PT (10 pieces at 8')

Guardrail

36" tall (per plan) — verify pool barrier code first (CT may require 48" and/or self-latching gate at stairs; see Open Items)

Stair stringers

2x12 PT (4 pieces at 10')

Pool-to-deck gap

1" between decking and coping (per A1.2)

Modification From Original Plan

Joist spacing reduced from 16" OC to 12" OC for firmer feel with Trex Transcend Lineage composite decking.

Reference Sheets

A1.0 - Foundation Plan (footing layout, curved rim detail)

A1.2 - Ground Floor Plan (deck layout, pool relationship)

A2.0 - Elevations (heights, footing depths)

A3.1 - Deck Framing Details (post/beam/joist connections)

A3.2 - Railing Details

A3.3 - Stair & Guardrail Details

A3.4 - Optional Attachment Details (diagonal bracing)

A4.0 - Material List

Pool Deck Build - Overview

⚠ Open Items — resolve before the phase that needs them

Build Phases

Phase 1: Post Anchors & Posts

Phase 2: Beams

Phase 3: Joists

Phase 4: Rim Joist & Curved Section

Phase 5: Diagonal Bracing

Phase 6: Trex Decking

Phase 7: Railings, Stairs, Benches

Hardware Swap List

Complete Hardware & Lumber Verification

🖨️ Complete Guide — Print Edition

Key Specifications

Modification From Original Plan

Reference Sheets