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I'll try to keep this short. First is the new wood. It used to be CCA or chromated copper arsenate, but that was toxic and evil so it was replaced with ACQ or alkaline copper quaternary which is supposed to be more enviro-friendly, but it isn't fastener friendly. So, you need to avoid contact with aluminum siding, and make sure that the engineered lumber hangers and nails used are rated for ACQ.
Flashing of the ledger board to the house connection is extremely important, as is the mechanical means of fastening to the rim or band joist. Flashing failures can lead to early failure of the rim or band joist via rot, as well as weakening to the point of connection failure, in which case the deck is overcome by gravity. Improper connection to the rim or band joist is also a gravity overdose waiting to happen.
If you're planning to use one of the new pseudo-woods for the walking surface, be sure to read the information about spans and spacing, or the finished project will look like crap and need to be redone. I've seen some weekend warrior projects that turned out that way. Also, plan carefully the design based on what you plan to have on the deck once you're finished. A deck built for ordinary loads doesn't cut it a few years down the road when you decide to add a hot tub.
Get permits and make sure the project is signed off by the building inspector. If there is a failure and someone gets hurt, you're going to get sued anyway-my point is that an inspected assembly that met applicable building code will go a way to minimize your liability as opposed to something that was engineered by SWAG and never saw a building inspector.
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There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity -Big Daddy
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