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The Plans

Building a Frame

Fixing the Boards

Finishing

Basic Decking Rules

The Lower Patio

All wood should be pre-treated (or tanalised), an end coat wood preserver should be painted on to sawn ends to maintain moisture blocking integrity.

Fix noggins (short lengths of joist timber) at 1200 centres to strengthen the frame, this will prevent flexing of the joists.

Board should be spaced with a gap of between 5mm and 8mm and a gap of between 3mm and 5mm where boards meet newel posts or at joints between two boards laid end to end.

All metal fixings and decking screws must be corrosion resistant stainless steel is ideal for this.

Although you can nail wooden components together it is highly recommened to use decking screws. A 2mm pilot hole should be drilled for each screw to prevent splitting of the wood.

Always make sure that the deck slopes away from buildings, a ratio of 1:100 is often quoted as a guide. So for every one meter length the deck board should be lower by 1cm.

Know where the drains run and avoid manholes and any other acess points for services. Do not cover these.

Hot tubs are heavy! If you plan to put a hot tub on the decking bear in mind that these are very heavy once filled so you may want to get a structural engineer to work out the loading and design the structure.

Joists should be fixed at 400mm centres.

Posts should be burried for at least half of it's length and fixed with concrete

Posts should be no more than 1800mm apart.

Noggins should be fixed at no more than 1200 centers.

Newel posts should be no more than 1800mm apart.

Spindles should be no more than 100mm apart.

These are only general guidelines so please obtain local regulation for your region.