| Adding a deck on to a house can add valuable | | | | which will depend on the size and span of your deck. |
| outdoor and entertaining areas with the ability to | | | | Choosing your timber |
| extend a room. A deck can be built on to the house | | | | Posts |
| and integrated around trees or to surround a pool. If | | | | If you can afford it class 1 hardwood looks the best |
| the ground falls away from the house it is a simple | | | | and is the most durable or H4 treated pine. Both |
| matter of lengthening the posts so that the deck is | | | | these timbers can be used in ground; however I |
| level with the house floor. There is no need to level | | | | believe it is always best to use hot dipped galvanised |
| the site or to remove trees as long as the trees are | | | | strips in ground and the timber used above ground |
| strong and healthy. | | | | for maximum durability. |
| Setting out the Deck | | | | Joists |
| Trees can be left be part of the design of the deck | | | | Joists can be class 1 or 2 hardwood or H3 treated |
| and can provide shade and cover. Many times a tree | | | | pine for above ground use. Most joists will not be |
| is not part of the design and a cover is to be built on | | | | seen so as long as it is durable hardwood or treated |
| top of the deck. If this is the case the posts around | | | | pine will not change the look of the deck. |
| the deck should be installed at the full height of the | | | | Decking timbers |
| pergola or awning roof. This way the posts that hold | | | | Hardwood decking timber looks the best and is the |
| up the deck also hold up the pergola roof. Check | | | | most durable. There is no need to stain the timber |
| span tables to make sure your post are strong | | | | just coat it in water based or oil based decking |
| enough to hold both the deck and the pergola roof. | | | | sealer. Treated pine can be used and stained or |
| Using a string line and a laser level or automatic level | | | | painted to the desired colour however they generally |
| (dumpy level) set the height of the deck. Set the | | | | do not look as good as the natural colours found in |
| finished height of the deck level with the floor of the | | | | hardwood. However treated pine is cheaper than |
| house or at your desired height. Mark along the | | | | hardwood and is a valid choice for decking boards. |
| house and check the level that it is completely | | | | Decking tips |
| straight and level. Then measure down to mark the | | | | - Always use hot dipped galvanised or stainless steel |
| bottom of the bearer. For example: | | | | fixings and fittings. |
| - 20mm Decking board | | | | - If your deck is near the coast 316 stainless fitting |
| - 140mm joist | | | | are a must. |
| - 140mm bear | | | | - All decks with the floor height above 600mm must |
| In this example you will need to measure down | | | | have a balustrade of 1000mm or 1 metre high. |
| 300mm from the finished deck floor level mark and | | | | - Steps should be strong and be wide enough for |
| mark the wall again. This measurement will vary with | | | | two to past each other. |
| the size of your deck and the different sized timber | | | | - Before you start, check your deck with council. |
| you need. This measure down mark is the bottom of | | | | - Make sure you have a clear plan and drawings. |
| your bearer or you can just measure down 160mm | | | | - If you are building around trees leave room for |
| for the top of the bearer. Whatever method you | | | | them to grow. |
| use you can now start to set your bearers and | | | | - Always check you have the correct sized timber |
| posts to the correct height. Span tables will be able | | | | and the deck is very strong. |
| to show you the correct spacing for your bearers | | | | |