43 in. Platform

Introduction: 43 Kit

Tools needed:
Power drill with tips (including #2 square drive and T-25 drive); saw (hand or power); level; tape measure; any square; and, if the deck is installed on dirt, a shovel and tamping bar

Parts included in 43 in. platform:
1- 43 in. pre-built platform; 4 - 4x4x40 in. posts; 4 - pairs of 2x4 post braces; 14 - balusters; 2 - 58 in. structrual balusters; 2 - top rails; hardware packages A and B

Save the more attractive components for the more visible sides of the deck.

Orientation to Home

Point the side of the platform with the notched over-hang in the direction you want the stairs to the ground.

Be aware of the building code in your municipality, especially regarding the posts contacting the ground. In many cases where the deck would be installed on a surface such as grass or dirt, you will also be required to have concrete blocks under the posts.

Height of Platform

Side to side:
Use a tape measure to mark the right and left sides of the door on the house where the 43-1/2 in. platform will be.

Up and down:
Use a tape measure to mark the desired height of the platform at both the right and left sides. NOTE: Local building code may have specific guidelines for the height of the platform in relation to the threshold of the door (this should be no more than 7-3/4 in. below the threshold).

Cut the two back posts to the two vertical measurements above MINUS 1 in. (which is the thickness of the decking). Remember to save the two most attractive posts for the front of the deck.

Installing Posts and Braces

To install the back posts (the posts you just cut to length), first flip the platform upside-down; attach each posts with 3 of the 4 in. construction screws using the pre-drilled holes. Then apply a pair of braces with 8 - 2-1/2 in. screws using the pre-drilled holes (4 screws for each brace). Place each brace flush with the outside of the post and inside the rim.

Flip the deck back into place in front of the door. Use a temporary support for the front of the deck, then use a level to achieve a level platform. Measure for the two front posts, then cut to length and attach with construction screws and braces, just like the back posts.

Platform Railing

Using the 2-1/2 in. screws provided, first attach the bottom of each baluster (which is the end with two predrilled holes) to the platform using the corresponding punch marks on the platform (the punch marks indicate where the screw should pierce the side of the platform).

On both top rails, locate the x-marks the ends. The x-mark indicates where that particular end should not be visible, whether it terminates into the the other top rail or close to the wall of the house (approximately 1-1/2 in. away from the wall of the house). Use the x-marks and punch marks to determine the orientation of each top rail.

Next attach the top of each baluster to the top rails using the punch marks along the lower side. For both rail sections, use a level to make sure the balusters are vertical. Attach the two top rails together where they meet at the corner using 2 - 3 in. screws. Next, apply screws through the remaining pre-drilled holes of the balusters.

TWO 58 in. STRUCTURAL BALUSTERS (NOT ON THE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO):
Included in the kit are two structural balusters (58 in. x 1-1/2 in. x 3-1/2 in.): one for the corner near the house flush to the end of the top rail; one for the corner near the stair. The structural balusters need to be aligned such that sides are flush with the sides of the posts.

On each structural baluster, there are two pre-drilled holes at the top, four holes in the middle and one hole at the bottom:

Starting at the top, attach the structural baluster to the top rail with two 2-1/2 in. screws so that the tops of the structural baluster and the normal balusters are even with each other.
At the bottom, attach with a 6 in. construction screw such that the sides of the baluster are flush with the sides of the post.
At the middle group of four holes, use two 6 in. construction screws on the upper two holes and two 2-1/2 in screws on the lower two screws.