Finally finished the upper deck framing and it’s a game changer

I ran into almost the exact same situation last summer when I was trying to connect my walk-out basement to a new landing. My house has that old T1-11 siding, and once I pulled it back for the ledger, I found the rim joist was basicly mulch. I ended up spending a week just replacing the rim and flashing it with Grace Ice & Water Shield before I coud even think about the deck itself. It’s funny how a "weekend project" turns into a structural renovation once you see what's behind the boards. For the stairs, I didn't build a cage, but I used a couple of heavy-duty Bessy clamps and a floor jack to get my 14-foot stringers aligned. Trying to hold those 2x12s steady while keeping the rise and run consistent is a killer on the arms. I used the Simpson Strong-Tie adjustable stringer connectors becuase I didn't trust my own toe-nailing at that height. It felt like overkill at the time, but after seeing how much a multi-level deck moves under a heavy load, I'm glad I beefed up the hardware. My knees still ache when I think about lugging those 80-pound bags of Quikrete for the footings, but having that second exit from the master bedroom makes the house feel much more open.

I took a completly diferent route when I added my second level becuase I was terrified of messing with the siding and potential rot issues. Instead of a traditional ledger board, I built a free-standing structure for the upper platform. It required digging four extra footings and using 6x6 pressure-treated posts, but it kept the deck entirely independent of the house's exterior. I used Simpson Strong-Tie post bases set in 30-inch deep concrete piers to handle the lateral load. For the stairs, I skipped the wooden bracing and rented a material lift for the afternoon. It cost me about eighty bucks, but it held the 14-foot LVL stringers exactly where I needed them while I secured the hangers. It saved my spine and ensured the rise and run were perfectly consistent from top to bottom. If you have the space for footings away from the foundation, going free-standing avoids that whole headache of stripping back layers of old cedar and flashing against the house.

Now that you're thru the nightmare of the ledger and framing, you shoud definately look at the Camo Marksman Pro for the actual decking. I used it on my upper tier last year and the hidden fastening system is way better than drilling through the face of the boards. It gives the whole thing a clean, high-end finish that matches a bedroom exit perfectly. Since you're worried about moisture, those side-entry screws mean no standing water in screw holes on the surface. It definitely saved my hands from alot of fatigue compared to traditional methods.

This project sounds absolutely incredible! I'm just starting to plan my first ever build and seeing how you guys handled those massive stringers is making me so hyped to get started. I’m defintely going to try that temporary bracing trick beacuse I’ll be working alone too. Quick question though for anyone who has done this—since you're all working on these high-up master bedroom decks, has anyone ever installed a built-in telescope mount or a stargazing nook on the upper level? I’m obsessed with the idea of adding a space for my tripod!