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Deck Building:
We include the following ideas on deck building only as such. Always consult with an experienced carpenter so that your deck will turn out right and be safe.
These plans are for a 20' Dome. If your Dome is larger or smaller adjust the measurements and the size of the wood you use. It is assumed that your land slops slightly. If our land is flat it will be even easier to build a deck.
Set your first pier block at the approximate center of where you want your dome to be.
10 feet up the hill from #1 set your #2 pier block. Using a string or tape run a straight line from #2 through the center of #1 and 10 feet more to set 3 #. 90 degrees to this line set piers #4 and #5.
Use a clear 1/2" vinyl tube 25' long as a level (fill the tube with water 6" from each end - hold one end beside and above the #2 and the other
end beside and above the #3 - the water in the tube will make the level) pull a string tight to mark this line and the 4" by 4" attached to #1 and #3
Using steel brackets attach the a 4" x 4" to the #3 pier block. Support the 4" x 4" with at least 3 temporary 2" x 2" to hold it vertical (use a level or plumb line to make it vertical).
Now attach a 20' 2" x 6" using steel brackets to the #2 and #3 blocks. Add two 10 foot 2" x 6" again using the leveling tube and the plumb line.
Add four more pier blocks "W, X, Y. Z" Place the other pier blocks by adding a 10' long string at #1 and using your tape measure to mark off 2' 4' 6' and 8'. Use your tube level and plum line to secure the 4"x 4"s. Then attach your 2" x 6"s.
Brace at least every other 4" x 4".
Proceed to add the other pair of blocks and 2" x 6"s use in joist hangers. Nail in 2" x 4"s, again using joist hangers, to support the middle of the 4' x 8' plywood. Nail or screw on 3/4" plywood.
Let the plywood over hang the outer edge of the joists by about 6".
Set your dome on the plywood.
Turn the dome how you want it attach it temporally at the pole end with nails to pull the dome edge tight.
With a pencil make a line on the inside of the dome to follow the edge of the dome.
Remove the dome. Using a saw cut the decking to the line.
Bolt sections 2"x 4" to the plywood so that they extend beyond the plywood to support the domes pole ends. Tie the clip cords at the pole ends to eye bolts in these 2" x 4"s.
Adding height: The strongest way to add a 2 feet to the bottom of the dome is to first:
Tie pairs of pole connectors to 20 new HD clips.
Unclip the 20 plug clips with the single pole plugs at the base of your dome.
Add and shingle a skirt of material to the bottom that is wide enough for the height you need + 1.5' using the 20 clips with connectors you have just assembled.
Clip the plug clips along the base of the added material allowing 11" for a skirt 2' directly below the connector clips.
Cut and insert 20 new full length poles to create the ring around what was the base but soon will be 2' above the ground.
Cut and insert 20 new short poles to your added extension. Choose a length so that the tension on the covering is the same as the tension on the main part of the dome. These short poles are difficult to install because you can not bend them. It will be easier to install them if you first remove the vertical pole above it; insert the short pole then reinsert the long pole; or use a pulley system to tension the base clip cords with extra long cords after adding the poles to clips .
Stake out.
This will maintain the integrity of the structure and only weaken it slightly.
Note that in this photo there is no skirt added. The skirt is necessary to stabilize the added poles. With out the skirt the dome will be blown over in the wind.
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