Let me be truthful from the start. Building a deck is quite a large job that can't possibly be covered properly in one small piece of writing. So what i intend to do here is to simply cover some of the fundamentals to get you started on the correct path. Laying the decking boards is the simplest and the most enjoyable part. But there is a lot to think about.
Lets start at the beginning. How is the decking going to be supported? You will without doubt have to to make use of concrete footings along with a framework of wooden joists resting on them if you require it to last. I have built a great number of decks in my time and to be truthful I sort of guessed at what I ought to do at the start, it cost me dearly at the time. So do not go making the same mistake I did. You must make sure that you start with a solid support structure. There may possibly also be building regulations to take into account. Lay a plan out making sure that the spacing of your concrete supports for the joists can support the decking boards. If the joists are too far apart it could possibly lead to what we call “sagging” when people walk on it.
The supplies you are going to use should also be a major consideration. By and large decking will be open to the weather (most of them are) so the selection of material is crucial. The pieces of your deck that is not going to be visible do not need not be as aesthetically pleasing as the decking and railings. But, keep in mind you should at this stage of the job use weather resistant timber. Quite often people will use pressure treated timber for the supporting structure. This sort of timber is chemically treated to resist those things like bad weather, rot and insects. In my opinion that is the best pick.
Needless to say you can use the identical pressure treated wood for the actual deck surface if you want to. It doesn't stop you from painting it a nice colour. I have done just this many times. It looks good and it lasts a long time. There are other alternatives that you may like to think about. There is what the stores call 'composite decking' or what I call fake wood. The benefit of fake timber is that it lasts eternally. I also think that it in point of fact looks good as well. Another option for you to think on is to use a lumber that is naturally resistant to weather such as cedar, or IPE. There are infinite possibilities these days. You must also take in to consideration the price tag. This can vary significantly depending on what lumber you decide to run with. All I can say here is, as you plan your decking area, choose the best option for your finances. Remember the look and availability of the material is also significant.
Finally the fasteners. Historically decking would have simply been nailed together. This technique does still work. But, you definitely must ensure that the nails are galvanized so that they will be capable of holding up against the bad weather. Obviously nails are faster to use but they will leave small holes in the decking boards. Unfortunately, over a period of time they do tend to pop out. This is probably the main reason why many people prefer to use screws for securing the boards down. Screws have the advantage of holding the decking together more securely and can easily be removed should a repair be needed. Again you must make certain that the screws that you are using are for outdoor use. The drawback of using screws is that they are a lot more time consuming throughout the installation process. They also leave bigger, more visible holes in the decking.
Hopefully by now you will be getting some concept of what you need to think about when planning your decking. It certainly is not what I would call a small project. Think things through before you start. Once you have come up with a plan you will be amazed at just how fast your undertaking moves along. It will almost without doubt run smoother and turn out better if you get the planning stage sorted out.
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Here is yet another small project that I have put together to help all you readers out there intall wooden decking. This article will point you in the right direction to get that perfect decking that you have been thinking of putting in your garden.
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