Building a timber deck is a wonderful way to enhance your
home and garden. Wood is a natural product, which is
versatile and much easier to work with than most other
materials. You can build most shapes, sizes or styles from a
single ground level deck to a large double level design
complete with railings and stairs.
As with any home improvement project, when coming up with
decking ideas you need to plan your job very carefully;
decide what it will be used for, what you will put on it,
what area you wish to cover and, most of all, whether you
want it to be attached to your house or be free standing in
another part of the garden.
It is possible to build a simple ground level decking
yourself. You can purchase deck kits, which are designed
with the competent DIY person in mind. These kits are fairly
easy to build and can be installed in one weekend. They come
complete with full instructions, bolts, screws and the
option to purchase several add-ons such as pergolas,
bridges, handrails, etc.
More complex structures are best left to a professional deck
builder who will also design the whole thing for you once
you tell him your decking ideas.
There are many other accessories available to complement and
enhance your decking area such as, hot tubs and spas,
lighting, water features, built-in seating, awnings,
heating, furniture, planters, railings and steps.
Standard components and decking boards are available from
DIY stores and timber merchants and come in softwood and
hardwood. The most popular choice is softwood, which has
been pressure treated with a preservative to prevent
rotting. Hardwood decking boards do not require pressure
treatment.
Deck boards usually come in widths of 75mm to 150mm, but
wider boards are quicker to install. Grooved boards are also
available, offering a better grip in wet conditions.
Coloured boards can be purchased to suit your colour scheme
in the garden, or you can paint them yourself. While looking
at the different types available at your builders merchant,
tell them what you planning and ask them for their decking
ideas.
Before you begin constructing your deck, you need to work
out the size and site orientation first. You will then need
to make sure that your site is properly prepared, otherwise
unsightly weeds will begin to grow through in time, spoiling
the effect:
- Mark out the proposed area with wooden pegs and string.
- Clear all weeds, turf and other debris from the site and
compact the ground, leaving a gentle slope towards the outer
edge of the deck for drainage.
- Lay a membrane cover to suppress the weeds and then cover
with gravel.
- You are then ready to begin constructing your frame. You
need to work out the finished level and build the deck
accordingly – remember that the key to a good decking area
is a good solid frame.
- Decide which way the final decking boards are going to run
and then build the main joists of the frame in the opposite
direction. The frame can be built directly onto the patio or
can be built up using pillars.
- It is best to screw all boards into position to ensure a
good, solid finish, which will last for many years.
- A reasonable gap should be left between each board to allow
for drainage and expansion.
- Strengthen the basic frame with cross membranes for added
strength.
- You can then paint your decking whatever colour you wish or
simply enjoy its natural finish.
Here's where you will find loads more
deck ideas
