BIG DECK ENERGY - Offgrid Cabin Build Ep.48 

2 tier deck looks sweet. Nice improv. When you have a party, there can be a vip level, and a level for those who only brought old leftover potato salad. You'll need a bouncer.

Holy Woodness Deckness baby!!!! Everybody loves a nice gap!!! We can never get enough. The deck is looking amazing and you getting a lot of work done by yourself. I think you could probably do a nice landing that turns to a 45° landing from deck to deck should be unique and not too hard to build. Hope you’re learning about solar and wind energy while taking pics and videos of it for work. Thanks for keeping us entertained and keep getting after it.

Lowering the deck is so damn smart!! Woulda never ever in a million years thought of it

The Circus and Parade is back. Thank Goodness

Tiered stairs sound awesome, great place to sit and hang out

The best way to learn is by making mistakes, and learning from those who have made those mistakes already. Making a public record of them is a very brave thing. So, a big "thank you" from those of us who are too chicken to do that, but still get to enjoy your work!

A little barrel sauna build for that corner would be cool! build a deck platform for it 👍

Please look into treating the raw lumber against termites...

Every time I see you nailing hangers I keep thinking how you need one of those M12 palm nailers.

Graham! For the love of Pete, get yourself some gloves for humping that lumber around! Trust me... you'll thank me later! So will your hands.. wait.. what? :) Oh! And the tiered deck idea is sa-weetness!

Thanks

Always eager to see what you do. Keep learning and having fun.

You should link your renewable energy videos here. That's something I'd like to see

Loved the Harry Potter reference at the start. Drop deck will look dynamic and dramatic as! Good choice.

I’m sure there are 10 ways to do everything when it comes to construction…as far as I see you are doing a great job even if you make a minor mistake now and then. ❤

At 4:25 , paint that end grain to keep water out. The floor beams look like three 2x12 sistered together. There is not much sitting on the 6x6 post, take some paint and coat the end grain on all of those built up floor beams, both ends. And protect the beams from wicking in water and rot starting.

Great start on this deck. Thanks for sharing

Awesome episode! So glad you're back 🎉. Love the progress!!

Blackberry drive thru patch! New favorite. ❤

Your intro music is rocking. Much better than the gentle guitar strumming most cabin builders use.

crushing it as always! love from Vancouver, BC

Love the decks they are so important

Very inspiring! Great job and keep it up!

Loving your work and videos. A deck is really the only wood based project I have completed. Can't beat a good deck.

Great to see you back at work. Maybe a good idea to just have a step down to connect both decks. Now I have to work on my deck at my home Ijavr being built in TN mountains. (Wife said now where's my deck? Great! ) Lol

Great episode !!

It is starting to really look good.👍🏻

I agree the tiered steps is a good idea for that empty spot. Thanks for sharing and good seeing you again.

That was a good days accomplishment!

Yessiree Bob, deck looks great! Impressive foot catch too 👊🏻

Epic deck! 😊

You are doing everything right. I’m proud of you.

Very cool! Yes those looked like termites to me.

Graham my friend we wouldn't be the people we are today if we didn't make mistakes, it is our human nature so chin up young trooper, get back on that horse so you can enjoy your hard work one day and not be a grumpy old man Lol. The lower deck in the front is a great idea it will give you a seperate area to play. Was that the happy dance I saw there? that a boy! It wont be long now Graham that you will be lying in your hammock swing fighting Queen Dookie for the last potato chips in the bowl. Take care, relax and God bless💙👍😇

This deck is going to be so awesome! Just think of all the days and nights sitting there in a comfy adirondack! I love the idea of the stepped platforms to connect the two decks.

you should put a water slide that goes from the deck down the hill. if u can get a water source to supply it.

17:58 looks like termites to me

16:58 AWESOME! 🤩🤩🤩

Looks like a perfect corner for a hot tub!

I like the tiered step idea. You could add some built in planters too if you wanted some separation.

Perfect space for a hottub! Diy Cedar hottub would also be a great video! Would love to see that.

Great footwork last second save of your falling level!

Nice!!! Fanning the steps around the corner would look cool( box style)

life is about the mistakes, those moment you will remember, the struggles are the best stories, don't worry, enjoy the ride ;) you are doing great!!

3 Spiral steps from porch to deck area... looks good

I would keep the side and front deck at same level, but that’s me.

Good morning Woodness Goodness!

Loving the build mate. But has anyone ever told you, you look like the actor Scoot Mcnairy? Now I have noticed, I can’t unsee it!!

Nice Days Work Mr G!

Rock star🤩✨⭐️

Great idea for the low deck! My only suggestion is: because your ledger is not a true ledger (it's not attached to the rim joist with lag bolts every 8") you should add a support from the "ledger" to the pier. This could just be a 2 X 6 that is sistered to the post between the pier and the ledger. Right now, all of the weight is carried by the GRK screws, which don't have a lot of sheer strength. Love the build, take your time and enjoy the process! We will keep watching!

Thanks for the great content. I wonder if the ledger board for the new deck is suitable. If no one else sees any potential problem, it is probably just me.

Yes they are termites

Thanks for the content and as a fellow DIY guy I love the ideas. I would have made the deck the same height as the other deck and made a wrap around deck so I could walk on every side of the cabin. It makes it easier to work on the sides of the cabin and makes it easier to find the breeze and shade. But its not my cabin its your cabin so I know you will love it.

Midlothian, VA checking in. Enjoying your journey. Your work is inspiring.

Two big steps. Round on the outside perimeter. You could get away with a couple chairs out on the end maybe. I love your videos. Your personality is awesome. I found it funny you saying you wish you could do construction for a living. I've been in construction my entire adult life (I'm 45) and all I want is out. One recommendation. Get a laser tape measure. They are totally worth it. Also get a green laser. Totally worth it when your alone. I think you should deck the other side as well. For continuity... 😂 Love it. Thank you so much

Loved the slo-mo replay catching the level with your foot 😂

Yes, termites.

you sir... have played some hackeysack before with that toe stall on the level :D

That's gonna be one sweet deck! I think tiered stairs for that section. What place your going to have.

Greetings from Fburg, Va….yes those looked like Termites

Hey bro, post more your life vlogs. It's really interesting

The Intro! Just made me grab a cup of coffee! lol

Could put a nice fire put on there with a outdoor couch surrounding it! it's giving big deck energy for sure!

I can’t believe you’re at 50 episodes!! Keep gettin’ after it!!

Watching your videos makes me happy! Thought i wouldn't like lower le el front deck, but it is a great idea, well executed. I said, "Why, Graham?" You said, "You ask why?". Mucho giggles.

I enjoy your channel. I built an A-frame remote off grid all alone in Ohio last year. I’m going to do it again in Virginia soon.

When you watch the intro, you get the impression that this is a man who knows what he is doing 😏😂😂😂😘

Mornin 🖐😎👍

The wife and I would love to take you to the best BBQ in Memphis if you come back here. Hope to see you Love the deck

Nice deck man. Happy 4th, I hope it was filled with hot dogs and bald eagles 🇺🇸.

Don't confuse Termites for Thermite! That could end badly! :p)

Three large platforms for steps...Also, the loft windows, why not just lower the bottom sill two inches and place a 2x4 between both windows...

👍

Great idea for the lowered deck -- nice! Three deep steps will be really useful to connect the two decks and be useful built-in impromptu seating. Isn't that corner of the deck the closest to the outhouse? A clear way off the deck in that direction will be appreciated when you're heading that way in the dark of night.

Looks good but I liked the original idea better. That said it’s not my cabin so as long as you and the family like it that’s the most important thing. For the tiers down to the lower deck I’d go with your idea large steps. 6 foot or so each. But pattern the deck boards on a 45 or try something different. Checkerboard. Something unique give it that woodness goodness flair.

🤝

Graeme, if you have to trim back that blackberry bush, make sure you only trim back the parts that had fruit on them, because those parts will not come back the next year. Leave the newer parts that don't have fruit on them, those are the ones that will make fruit next year.

You might want to consider adding some 2x8 blocks under the ledger board attached to the cabin posts. Use some 8" lag bolts in the ledger board too. Those couple of screws you used are gonna be holding a lot of weight.

@ 28:55 you had better ask you Structural Engineer friend if that span between the ledger and the beam is too far/long for the joists because you may need another beam between the ledger and and end beam

@BigDeckEnergy is one of my skate RU-vidr buds, I swear you're shouting him out haha! Looking good out there man🤙

You might want to add more footings where the ledger is. The tributary load just doubled where it has to hold the house and the deck on a hill. Just a heads up. Maybe im just used to over engineered draftings in california.

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

The tiered stairs will be awesome!!!

Perfect timing I just got up and poured a coffee.

29:40 I would do two platforms in angles. First one (one step down) coming of the side deck which has an edge under an angle of 30 degrees (or thereabouts), the second step down coming of the first one under an angle of 60 degrees and the rest would be flush with the large front deck... I could be wrong but it looks to me the height difference is good for two steps between the side deck and the lower one. If it turns out to be better to do three steps the do three angles platforms/steps under the angles of 22.5, 45, 67.5 degrees. Angled platforms/steps looks great...IMHO... You could do the angles originating from one point (possibly the (south-east??) corner of the cabin but you could also do various originating points...

Someone emailed me and asked me if you and I were related. Haha.

I have always wondered why you didn't have a door ( sliding) off the front , now with the deck out front, makes me wonder even more .. Looks great though

How about a small gazebo to connect them

Building the deck lower seems like a very good idea. Makes the cabin more interesting with multiple levels. Great work. I really love seeing your enthusiasm! Get after it!

Why a lower deck? And please put at least one bolt through the ledger board to hold it to the foundations. Two screws won't carry that weight.

24:48 They're all... what? :D

Critters: I discovered silverfish were eating the glue on my books.... I don't know if silverfish and termites are related, but in my book a bug is a bug, and an icky critter is an icky critter... I got some diatomaceous earth, it came with a puffer in the bag, and I went around my baseboards inside with it (wear a mask), and I'll go around the outside of the house when it isn't hitting 116F on a daily basis. I even puffed it into my plant pots and it killed the pesky gnats that like to hang out in potted plants... my silverfish are gone, it even took care of the ants that like to migrate indoors when it gets too hot outside. So, grab a bag at your favorite big box diy store, either the blue one or the orange one and cover the ground under and around your cabin and any place you find or expect them. Good luck!!! 🐛🐜

Looks good. It would be a good idea not to screw those deck screws in so deep where the water can sit and rot the wood. 🤔🤔🤔

I like the platform tiered stairs option for that section. That is a great idea you had!

This was the worst month of the year waiting for this episode, but we’re so glad you’re back!

I love the overkill. 3 boards on the end of the deck? 1 would be enough unless you are gonna park a couple of cars there hehehe!

With the lower deck are you skirting the house? I'd feel like im sitting/constantly looking under the house lol

Graham, you're putting even more weight on those poor support posts! Mate, honestly the whole lot will collapse!

When your Dad gets old and has poor balance he won't like not having the deck on the same level as the house floor. You, however, have a few years until it is a problem. Until then, enjoy.