Keeping Your Outdoor Fun Safe

When you’re planning a new deck, safety should come first, and it turns out that it goes hand-in-hand with proper maintenance. Structural wood connectors like the ones we carry from Simpson Strong-Tie are designed with both safety—building to code—and maintenance in mind. Knowing your finished deck or other wood structure is safe for you, your friends, and family means you can relax after your build, and you can maintain it easily for many years to come.

Safety Concerns

Did you know that there are more than 50 million decks in the United States, and that roughly half of them are believed to be past their useful life, and in need of repair or outright placement?

Failing or collapsing decks account for a large number of home accidents and building concerns. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that more than 20,000 people were injured due to deck structural failure or collapse between 2003 and 2007 alone. If you have a current deck that needs work, or are looking to build a new one, preventing these kinds of accidents should be one of your top concerns.

Building and Strengthening Decks

Key to building a safe, code-compliant deck are the design, lumber quality, and most importantly, the structural connections between various parts. For both building new decks and strengthening existing decks, we recommend Simpson Strong-Tie’s line of connectors and fasteners, designed to code, for those crucial connections. To make sure both DIY homeowners and professional deck builders choose the right connectors and fasteners, our pros can help you with your design, lumber or composite choices, and your entire parts list.

Learn More Before You Build

Keep your family and friends safe every season with strong, safe connections on your deck. Read more in the Simpson Strong-Tie PDF Guide, Build a Safe, Strong Deck.

For more information, start on our Decking Department page, then stop in to our Decking Department for expert advice. Have questions before then? Ask one of our experts about the best approach to your project.