I also sistered my first joist. I did it again as a prototype, this one was a one-off because I had to build a notch in it to go around a drain pipe. The timber screws I am using for this task are burly and require an impact wrench to install.
The small blocks will be used to build a blocking structure along the edges for our picture frame design. I made a prototype of what the blocking might look like. This was mainly for the purpose of figuring out what type of screw I wanted to hold things together with. I went with the hex head.
There are three areas that will have a locking structure and because of the one-off design of the deck, each area needed a different size block.
Michelle sat in the backyard painting the blocks with a wood sealant. The wood is pressure treated to resist rot and water intrusion, but once you make a cut, you have to retreat the ends.
On a side note, I didn't like the way the last beam on the south side of the patio sat on the ground. I did a test with a hose to see how water would drain and I noticed there was some minor pooling near the concrete footing. I decided to take the small beam apart, and use a different style bracket that lifts the wooden post 1 in off the ground and onto a small metal foot.
If I was to build the deck again, I would probably do that for every post but the other posts don't have drainage problems so it shouldn't be a big deal. I decided to go on the safe side, because once I put this thing together I don't plan on taking it apart again.
