Raised decking

Excuses!

 

Im not upsetting my wife, she as a stare that would freeze petrol, we all know that look don't we

 

Sorry mate, feeble excuse ... when my conservatory was built they just concreted the existing pipes into the foundations (and did NOT go through them when digging the foundations ). (I think they put a larger diameter "collar" pipe around them, or maybe a lintel above them, can't remember ... but the existing pipes went "through" the foundations for sure).

 

I would sooner have a conservatory, at least you can use it all year, I've tried telling her this , but I might as well bang my head against a brick wall.

 

One really good reason for no decking is that it's a really good place for rats. My neighbours at my last house had to resort to poison. And rotting rats stink!

Also at eighteen inches it sounds like a good place for cats to toilet on wet days. You can make it cat proof, but never rat proof.

 

Rats are one thing im not worried about as we have 3 West Highland Terriers, prefect ratting dogs.
Not trouble with cats either as ive fitted spikes on my fence tops to stop them

 

Here I am trying to save you a job and there you are talking yourself straight back into it!!

 

I've told my wife all of this, but its like banging my head against a brick wall, it isn't sinking in,
only fitted the spikes on the fence to stop next doors cat using my garden as a toilet.
was going to shoot it but my wife wouldn't let me, and I wouldn't have missed as I was a trained sniper when I was in the Paras

 

@Ian Taylor

How you getting on with your decking? Or have you managed to convince the wife that a conservatory would be a better bet?

Instead of a traditional conservatory, you could use folding doors which would open up the area nicely for those fine summer days and when the weather is miserable, close them and still enjoy the view.

 

Still not talked her out of it yet, just waiting to get quotes for new patio doors.
Wish we could build something like that but we can't as the ground level is about 24" below were the patio doors will finish.

 

Could you not back fill then use a retaining wall?
The wall could then be covered with some reclaimed railway sleepers to make it look more natural.

 

Hello Ian,

If my building deck pictures can help you: My Deck

 

Finally got it built, after messing about getting planning permission and architects drawing.
We used Clear grade Southern Yellow Pine.

 

That's a grand job Ian! I like the colour too.