My First Time Using a Miter Saw .... Can I cut this glass?
by Matt Urnick
(Sevierville, Tn, USA)
Well, my deck totals in at 814 sq feet. The portion in the picture is the side which is the largest part at 640 sq feet. I decided to give it a little contrast since it was so big and do a basket weave pattern. This gives my deck a more stylish look without spending the extra cash to do the diagonal pattern or herring bone in which you accumulate lots more scrap.
The railing...
As you see I used tempered glass for my railing. Lots of work but worth it! I could have used vynil with the glass already in it but I'm not a fan of the vynil on wood look.
So I purchased some eastern red cedar and plunge routed 364 straight routes by hand. Then I applied a silicon caulk around the bottom of the glass to keep the routes sealed but allow room for expansion and contraction.
The stain I used was Sikkens SRD "teak". This stuff is great.
The best part about my deck. I did it under budget.
I had it quoted before I decided to do it myself and it was going to be $8,000 just for a standard deck. I finished @ $3,998.77 with all the personal touches I couldn't be more pleased especially having the feeling of self accomplishment.
The Worst part... Time. The total project took me a little over 3 months. I did it all in my spare time which isn't a lot. Also it seemed to rain for weeks straight. But with my lack of experience I think I did ok.
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