Onyx Construction Group brings a unique touch to your outdoor living. Our custom design and deck building is tailored specifically for your home and needs of you the client. The products we use are top of the line and we back our craftsmanship with a lifetime warranty. Onyx Construction Group is the top rated Deck builder in Bucks County PA.
We specialize in the following areas:
- Decks over livings areas
- Wood Decks and Decking
- Ipe Decking and Railing installation
- Composite Decking(Trex, Fiberon, Certainteed, etc.)
- Vinyl Deck & Railings
- Specialty Coatings
- Deck Restoration (Stripping, Washing and Brightening )
- Deck Staining
- Cast Iron Rails
- Deck & patio Covers
- Under deck Covers (keep under your deck dry)
Many people feel their dream deck is just out of reach. As a custom deck building company, we can help to solve this problem. We offer custom made decks that reflect your distinct style, all within your budget.
We offer free, no obligation estimates. We take pride in the quality of our workmanship and the attention we give our clients from start to finish. Call today to schedule your free, no obligation consultation.
 |
|
 |
Just like your home, it's important to make sure your deck is built right. Most experts agree that the average life expectancy of a wood deck is 10 to 15 years. It is estimated that there are millions of decks in the U.S. that are beyond their useful life and may be unsafe. In fact, the number of deck collapses has increased in recent years. Since 1999, there have been more than 850 reported injuries and 20 deaths as a result of deck failures.
If you're building a deck or have an existing deck, you should know how to evaluate its construction to make sure it's structurally sound and safe. Using the proper structural connectors and fasteners (like nails and screws) as well as regular maintenance are the keys to a safe, strong deck. We invite you to learn more about how to make your deck safe.
Similar to your home, your deck should be built with a "continuous load path." A continuous load path is a method of construction that creates a series of solid connections within the structure of the deck. These connections transfer the weight or load from the deck through its frame and then to the ground and adjacent support structure (typically your home). If your deck is built with a continuous load path, it will be better equipped to resist forces (like wind, snow and earthquakes) that can weaken your deck.
 |
|
 |
Critical Decks Connections
1.Ledger Attachment:
The ledger connection, where the deck connects to the house, is the most common failure point on a poorly built deck. It's very important to use lag screws (SDS) or through-bolts rather than nails to secure your deck to the ledger board.
2.Joist-to-Ledger:
The floor joists intersect into a beam or ledger board and must be properly secured.
3.Joist-to-Beam:
The beams must be secured to the joists that support the floor of the deck.
4.Beam-to-Post:
The post must be properly connected to the beams underneath the deck.
5.Railing Post-to-Deck Framing
People often get injured due to weak or wobbly railings on a deck. The railing must be properly attached to the perimeter of the deck as well as the floor joists running underneath the deck.
6.Stair Stringer-to-Deck Framing
The stair stringers that run along each of the stair steps (or treads) must be secured to the deck framing.
7.Stair Tread-to-Stringer
Each stair step (or tread) must be tied to the stair stringers.
8.Post-to-Concrete
Post bases are used to connect the post to the footing or concrete slab underneath your deck.
When selecting connectors and fasteners for your deck, you need to make sure you use the connectors/fasteners with the appropriate finish. Outdoor environments are generally more corrosive to metal because connectors are exposed to the elements. Depending on where you live, you'll need to use either ZMAX® or Stainless Steel connectors and fasteners.
Check out our Deck Building Projects Photo Gallery