If you’re considering a DIY deck project, you may be wondering what tools you’ll need. Many everyday tools, such as chainsaws and tape measures, are essential for building a deck. You probably won’t need to add more tools to your garage in order to build a deck. However, you should use different tools for different types of wood and deck styles.

It is always handy to have some hand tools at home. Most of the time, these tools are not expensive, and many manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty that covers repairs or replacements. This means you can get good tools at a good price.

Power tools are more expensive and their use usually requires additional accessories such as batteries and bits. You can rent these tools at a cost from a nearby hardware store. This is very helpful for specialized tools that you may not use often.

To plan a list of trips to the hardware store before you start building, learn more about deck tools. Common deck DIY tools fall into the following five categories:

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1. Safety Equipment

Safety should be a top priority in any home improvement job, and installing a deck is no exception. Safety glasses and earplugs or earmuffs must be worn when using power tools.

Wearing utility leather gloves and well-fitting clothing also helps prevent wood chips, dust, and tool accidents.

2. Measuring Tools

2.1 Tape Measure

A tape measure may be used to determine the length of boards, proper distance between deck joists, chalk lines, etc. Most jobs can be done with a 25-foot tape measure, but other lengths are available.

It is important to note that you should always measure twice before cutting deck planks to make sure they fit properly.

2.2 Squares

A squares ruler is a measuring tool with a straight edge that can be used to mark and measure sharp points and cuts. You can choose from two types of squares:

• Speed square: this is a triangular tool with measurements written on the edge and holes cut in it for different tasks in woodworking.
• Combination angle ruler: this is a ruler with interchangeable heads, which can make right angles like the speed square. However, it is more suitable for metalwork, carpentry, and brickwork.

Each of these rulers works well for installing decks. In addition, you can get rulers with extra features like built-in bubble levels.

2.3 Chalk Lines

Chalk lines help workers make clear, straight marks when cutting and aligning. They consist of twisted string that comes in a plastic box. You can fill the plastic box with chalk to cover the lines.

Generally, chalk lines are used as follows:

1. Measure the block of wood to be cut and make a mark on it.
2. Secure the free end of the chalk line with a nail and some extra wood. Wrap the chalk line around the nail and place it on the side of the thing to be cut.
3. Line up the chalk line with the measurement of the mark and pull the chalk line tight.
4. To draw a straight chalk line at the mark, pull the line up four inches and let go. Make sure to pull it straight, not off to the side.
5. After removing the chalk line, measure it to make sure it is correct before cutting.

2.4 Levels

With a level, you will be able to see if things are level. This is important for the strength of the deck because no one wants to build a deck without a level.

In woodworking, bubble levels are the most commonly used tool. They are cheap and easy to find. To help you spot and fix strange slopes before laying down material, they use a liquid containing bubbles and a marked center.

Laser levels are the next generation of levels. They use a directional beam of light to draw a perfectly horizontal line. This is more time-efficient than drawing a line with chalk, but not all laser levels can be used outdoors.

Finally, a plumb bob is a vertical level. It has a weight on the end that hangs from a string. These tools are simple and use gravity to help you find a straight or plumb line.

3. Hand Tools

3.1 Excavation Tools and Shovels

An excavator digs up the ground and removes weeds. It is ideal for clearing the site before leveling the deck site and drilling holes for posts that support the deck structure.

Most excavators are digging shovels and can be used for many different tasks when making a deck. But there are other types of shovels that can make the job easier.

A post-hole shovel allows you to dig a deep hole in the ground with the opening kept narrow. This allows you to place railing and deck posts in the ground.

You can also use a flat shovel to help you prepare the deck for placement. Because they are extra large, it’s easy to move dirt or lay landscaping stones and gravel to make the area under the deck look nicer.

3.2 Clamps

When working with wood, you will need to use jigs to ensure that the joints are straight. They can clamp different materials together with pressure. This allows you to join them together with glue, screws, or something else.

You can choose from different sizes and styles of jigs. In addition, you may need more than one clamp to get the job done.

• C-clamps: Plain, flexible clamps called C-clamps are great for gluing different materials together.
• Lever clamps: Lever clamps are larger clamps with adjustable arms that are ideal for handling larger workpieces.
• Spring clamps: these are clamps for quick fixing, low pressure, and are suitable for small jobs and small areas.

3.3 Sawing Frame

Sawhorses are simple A-shaped tools that hold a piece of material in place while measuring and cutting. Most often they come in pairs and are made of plastic, metal, or wood. Today, plastic sawhorses are equipped with additional features such as adjustable arms and heights, and they can be folded up for easy storage.

These sawhorses are great if you don’t have a table or want to move your work area closer to the deck. They can even be used as a table if you lay boards on top when not cutting.

4. Power Tools

4.1 Circular Saw

The first chainsaw on our list is a circular saw. As it is very small and flexible, it can be used for almost any simple cutting job.

Both the blade and the tool are circular, and the tool has a handle and a blade guard for safety. Because it is small and lightweight, you can take it to the job site instead of locking it to a table.

4.2 Miter Saw

The miter saw also has a circular blade, but the holder is adjustable. This allows you to make precise cuts at an angle. These saws are great for making joints such as miter cuts, which is where they get their name from.

They shouldn’t be moved around like a circular saw, so keep them in one place. However, if you are going to be working in the field a lot, you can purchase a portable miter saw stand.

4.3 Table Saws

Table saws are very different from circular saws. Instead of a small circular saw blade, the blade is built into the table, across the top of the table. The wood is placed on the table and the saw blade cuts the wood from below.

For precise cutting, the table saw is the best choice, especially for cutting long pieces of wood that are difficult to cut by hand with a circular saw.

4.4 Curve Saw

Curve saws are small and portable. Their saw blades are straight rather than round. Because it is small and lightweight, it is perfect for cutting unique shapes and patterns. For example, cutting around a tree or post.

You can use a jigsaw on a deck, but it is best suited for lightweight materials. However, if you want to cut metal or other heavy materials, you will need to buy a new blade.

4.5 Electric Drill

If you don’t already have an electric drill at home, you need to buy one. Just go to the store and buy one. They use different lengths and widths of bits to make precise holes. You can even get hole saw bits to make large, perfectly round holes.

Most likely, you will use a power drill to make pilot holes in the jigsaw. This way the boards won’t crack or splinter. In many power drills, you can also use the bit to quickly tighten screws. Simply replace the drill bit with a drive bit.

4.6 Wood Sander

People who own wood decks need to use a sander to sand their decks and perform the maintenance that they do every year. A sander uses different sizes of sandpaper to remove rough parts of the wood. This is necessary if you want to apply a coat of sealer or paint to your wood deck.

You don’t need to sand PVC and composite decks because they already have a wood look in the color of your choice. You can use your composite decking as soon as you lay it down without having to sand and stain it every year.

5. Deck Hardware

You can get all the fasteners and joist brackets you need to build your deck from Deck Hardware. Depending on the instructions that came with your deck, you may need to use specific screws. If not, you can choose the ones that work best for you.

Some things you should know about deck hardware:

• Square head screws: These are large wood screws that are used to fasten siding to the house.
• Through bolts: This is a strong bolt that goes through different types of materials and is joined together with nuts and washers. It is an alternative to square head screws.
• Joist Suspension: The joist suspension supports the joists and attaches them to the beams at the bottom of the deck.
• Post Anchors: It is a metal bracket that secures wood posts to concrete footings.
• Concealed fasteners: They are hidden top-down fixtures.
• Exterior screws: Screws that will not rust and can be used outdoors.

6. Summarizing

You probably already have what you need to build your deck in your garage. Using these tools and following the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer, you can build your own outdoor deck. However, if you are pressed for time, then you may need to hire a professional to build your deck for you.

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