**Materials for Deck Construction:**
– Decks can be made from wood or timber, treated lumber, composite materials, and aluminum.
– Recycled planks are crafted from high-density polyethylene, polystyrene, PET plastic, and wood fiber.
– Wood-plastic composites (WPC) are popular artificial decking products.
– Composite decking aids in reducing tree logging but may contain harmful chemicals.
**Deck Construction Techniques:**
– Decks are wooden platforms attached to buildings and enclosed by railings for safety.
– They can be built over steep or rough terrain and covered by canopies or pergolas.
– Common construction methods include post and beam or cantilever designs.
– Cantilever decks rely on floor joists and require waterproofing to address safety concerns.
– Decks exceeding 30 inches in height need guard rails meeting specific building code standards.
**Urban Rooftop Decks:**
– Rooftop decks in high-rise buildings utilize urban landscaping techniques to create green spaces.
– Landscape architecture firms specialize in designing, constructing, and maintaining rooftop decks.
– Adjustable hybrid pedestal systems enable self-leveling and screw adjustment for elevated roof decks.
**Related Concepts:**
– Balcony, deck (bridge), observation deck, porch, and skyrise greenery are related to deck construction and design.
**References and Additional Information:**
– Resources include guides on selecting the right lumber, pressure-treated wood information, decking oil recommendations, and comparisons between wood and plastic decks.
– Mention of reports on illegal logging of tropical woods like teak, mahogany, and ipê.
In architecture, a deck is a flat surface capable of supporting weight, similar to a floor, but typically constructed outdoors, often elevated from the ground, and usually connected to a building. The term is a generalization from the deck of a ship. A level architectural deck may be intended for use by people, e.g., what in the UK is usually called a decked patio. "Roof deck" refers to the flat layer of construction materials to which the weather impervious layers are attached to a form a roof. It is known as the "roof deck", and they may be either level (for a "flat" rooftop) or sloped.
