Decking: Building in pictures

Following on from a recent thread I combined some of the construction photos I took when I built the deck. :D

 

[ 29. September 2007, 11:29 AM: Message edited by: Banana Man ]

 

[ 29. September 2007, 11:35 AM: Message edited by: Banana Man ]

 

And the other deck 'Private Area'. :D













[ 29. September 2007, 11:31 AM: Message edited by: Banana Man ]

 

Hi BM, your construction makes me very envious! Mine was done in a much more slap dash manner and I now know most of the pitfalls of deck laying. The points my builders missed out on were:
Making sure that the planks are separated sufficiently [2mm?] to allow drainage
Planning the layout of the planks so that sweeping and again drainage is easier. I would also have allowed a small slope.
Using good quality brass screws to avoid rust.
Sealing and finishing! I don't want mine shiny but would like to protect them from the results of the errors in laying. What with 2 dogs, 2 cats, me in muddy boots, lots of wildlife and lots of leaves, the deck gets very muddy and discoloured.
I used a decking sealant which has been useless. I am going to try decking oil as this is what BM has used!
Having had a moan, I must say I still like my decks!

 

Not really a decking expert by any means but being in the timber trade as such, personally I would always say the you need good air flow under the deck.
If its stagnant air underneath it will stay damp, its just like building a floor outside, and all timber floors have air bricks underneath to allow air flow.
The gaps between the boards, although allow drainage Liz, are more for expansion, and two mil is not enough if the decking is dry when layed, I'd go for at least 5 mil.
As for screws, you can buy special "decking screws" designed to be driven straight through the board into the support, personally I like to drill a slightly oversize hole and use a stainless steel screw, they are stronger than brass, and the oversize hole allows the timber to move without splitting.

But then I'm a bit of a timber nutcase.

 

I'ave said it before BM and I'll say it again brilliant pictures of both your deck and garden.

Those pictures of your deck are better than any 'how to' book that I know of.

I'm sure you have managed to inspired many people to 'have a go' theirself and maybe even changed the mind of some 'decking haters' into the bargain as well!

Great work and it shows.
Helen.xxx.

 

Hi BM me again....hope you don't mind me asking but what are the sizes of your decking areas?
Thanks
Helen.xxx.

 

Morning Helen. The Patio deck is 14x8 and the end deck is 6x6 made bigger by putting the bench on a platform supported buy mortared concrete blocks. This deck was meant to be bigger but I made it with all the patio deck off cuts and left over blocks from other projects. So I came up with the idea of extending the deck without further outlay :D The edges are back filled around the deck and planted all in all the area is about 8x8 but the deck is 6x6.

 

Wow BM!! Youve certainly inspired me and will show this to Mr M later :D Fantastic pics too btw

 

Thanks for your reply BM that's really a great idea using all your waste gear for another decking area.....I'm all for lovely ideas with lost costs involved and I would never have guessed the second deck was all your 'left overs'
now that really is a bargain!
Helen.xxx.

 

Absolutely fantastic. I love your garden B.man.
It is perfect.

 

Thanks guys, yes all complete planks, left over as it were. I bought 14 foot lengths do I had lots of 6 foot lengths left over to do the potting holes and then enough as it turned out to do the end without buying more.