Inspecting a Deck,
by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI)This is an excellent resource. It isn't really about HOW to build a deck, although it has plenty of information on building. It's about what inspectors should look for in a deck... or put another way, how NOT to build a deck! They also have some good free-standing deck advice.
PrescriptiveResidential WoodDeck Construction Guide
Based on the 2009 International Residential Code by the American Wood Council.Excellent reference. Especially if your locality doesn't publish their desired dimensions. Joist span tables, footer size, Beam sizes. Even a nice illustration of a free-standing deck, and excellent descriptions of bracing for free-standing decks.
Recommendations for the Construction of Code-Compliant Decks
by Simpson Strong Tie.Yes, all their recommendations are bound to be Simpson products, but the language is clear, and their examples are good. Frankly, most of us will end out using at least some Strong Tie products since that is really all Home Depot seems to carry these days.
Don’t Build Decks That Rot
by Professional Deck Builder March/April 2007An interesting article on the North American Deck and Railing Association site. Strong opinions against some deck building practices like notched posts and built up beams. Some interesting techniques as well, such as wider deck board gaps borate treatment on the frame.
Smart Deck-Framing Strategies
by Mike GUERTIN originally published in Fine Homebuilding 2008, on Bostich.comAnother article with a few tidbits. The deck they are building is elevated, so it has some information about temporary supports and working at heights I won't cover here. Another advocate of using flashing around deck hardware to keep the PT lumber from corroding the hardware. Also uses brackets to attach the ledger to the house, which is a nice concept if you can't do free-standing.
Porches, Decks, and Outbuildings
by Fine Homebuilding, 1997A bit dated. Google has posted parts of the book online. The link should open to page 63. The picture of the effects of 14 years of exposure stainless and galvanized nails. Pretty telling.