How To Build A Timber Deck

Building your own timber deck is a fantastic DIY project for anyone looking to move from beginner projects to more advanced challenges but still quite simple. We have outlined the basic processes you need to follow below.

Planning and safety

Before you start building your deck, you first need to plan out exactly what you’re going to do, where you will build, and what safety measures you will take to keep yourself safe and protected. Having the correct safety gear is obviously paramount, but you also need to think about how you will dispose of excess timber and cut-offs.

If you have young children or pets in your home, make sure your work area is clearly cordoned off and that you have warned everyone what kind of work you will be doing out there.

Prepare the site.

With your plans in hand, you are ready to prepare your chosen location. Preparing the ground properly now will avoid issues in the future, so it’s worth doing right.

Clear the site of vegetation and bore your pier holes that will be filled with concrete.

Set up your profiles that marks out the size of the deck and where the pier holes will be, use line marking paint, string and timber or steel pegs.

If you are using cast in brackets make sure you have these on hand to set in place as the concrete cures.

Build the frame

You can now begin to frame up the deck or if you are going over an existing concrete slab you still need your set out for the joists and brackets to hold them in place.

The most popular method is the former, and for a good reason. It’s the approach that we would recommend. Building a raised deck gives it a solid footing and ensures it is strong and durable. Raising it off the ground also prevents it from absorbing rainwater and also prevents termite attack. We can also supply termite resistant timbers for your deck.

Posts/ Piers are generally at regular intervals. You should give the concrete about a week to set.

Attach the frame to the building

Most decks are fixed to a building using ledger board or the preferred option is a bearer close to the house. The deck joists attach with hangers or place the joists on top of the bearers.

Use joist capping over the bearers and joists to keep water off the top of the joists. Joist capping or G Tape both available at Sarwood can be used.

Fit the Newel posts and boards

Newel posts are attached to the outer frame for railings or posts can be installed to carry a roof over you new deck. You should fix these before you lay the boards down.

Preparing the Decking boards

You must oil or coat the decking on both sides twice before laying to increase the life of the deck. At Sarwood we have Quality Haymes oils in water or oil based versions.

Fitting the boards

Starting with the boards nearest to your building, position each board where you want it to go. Remember to leave a gap between each one, so they have room to expand when it’s wet. It’s worth positioning all the boards before fixing them or doing groups of five boards.

Where the decking passes over joists they are fixed down with our range of stainless screws or nails. Pre-Drilling holes is sometimes required at the ends of the boards unless you use our special range of screws that requires no pre-drilling except for the ends to prevent the deck splitting.

Sarwood Building Supplies in Alstonville stocks timber supplies and everything you need to build your own timber deck. Check out our building supplies and don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any advice or guidance.