When beginning a new project with softwood lumber, the first step is to make sure you are building to code. Below are links to residential and deck construction guides.
American Wood Council
2015 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings
National Design Specification® for Wood Construction 2015 Edition
Prescriptive Residential Deck Construction Guide
American Wood Council Codes & Standards Publications
National Frame Building Association
Making Decks Safer Read More