decking questions

[james7]

I did some 18 months ago. It was iro 12ft x 45ft with most elevated on posts. It had handrails and spindles etc on 1 short and 1 long sides and iirc 8 steps down to the garden.
I used joist hangers onto the timber joined to the house and screwed through to the joists from the outside edge of the decking. iirc I used 8" joists but I think that was overkill! Especially as they were well supported and lots of them.
Concrete screws are your friend as is a decent impact driver. I was surprised at the difference using decent wood screws made. So much easier and quicker and batteries in the screw gun lasted longer too.

Here is a helpful video on which stain/treatment to use

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkmeoYKYctw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54dJz_ynMcs

Edited by james7 on Friday 1st July 14:01

[wjwren]

sandman77 said:

What length are the joists? Anything over 3.5m and I would go with 150mm. It will stop the deck feeling springy.

3.6m joist length

[V8RX7]

wjwren said:

sandman77 said:

What length are the joists? Anything over 3.5m and I would go with 150mm. It will stop the deck feeling springy.

3.6m joist length

Depends entirely upon the support post spacing.

I'd happily use 4x2 at 600 centres, I wouldn't at 1200.

[wjwren]

having ordered the wood for the decking the builders mechants have spec'd 2.4m length joists for the outer frame when the decking area is going to be 5.9m by 3.35m. They said if i want the boards running away from the house then to build 2 frames then bolt them together. il need to be joining the joists together to build the frame - is this wise??

[CoolHands]

Are you doing it yourself?

Yes some of my joists overlap as not long enough; it's fine if done properly. They aren't seen after job is finished.

Edit I prefer boards running left to right I don't think I've seen any pointing to / from the house?

[wjwren]

can i ask why you prefer left and right - im open to both. I thought running away from house may be better for draining water?

yes doing myself - well trying!

[wjwren]

also is this acceptable - couple of the boards arrived with cracks in.
Forgot to say what is the best way to join the joists together - carriage bolts?
thanks

[CoolHands]

I've not read all previous replies. Don't know about left to right I think it's just normal so yours may look abnormal? I'm not an expert though

You need some kind of pillars to hold main joists off the floor. I used some concrete blocks cemented into the ground, get them all levelled in correct positions for main joists. I would say this is quite important just a matter of planning exactly where they're going to go. Dig out earth where required if they need to sit lower than one full brick height if you see what I mean. Having these well spaced will prevent bouncing.

Ps when my brother did his he made up the structure using Lego to determine the joists etc! So do similar or at least drawings with measurements before you get stuck in.

Edited by CoolHands on Monday 18th July 19:23

[CoolHands]

Yes say you have two 2.4 metre lengths overlap them by at least 60cm, drill through both, use bolts and spiked washers, 3 or 4 for each set.

[CoolHands]

Yes some will be cracked you'll be able to lose them by planning so those ones get cut for edges etc. Also some will be bowed (both ways) so it's a case of minimising all the errors to get best overall job that looks straight!

[wjwren]

is there a rule of thumb for amount of pillars to hold the frame up? my ares is 6m x 3.5m

[taaffy]

Just had some installed and took a few photos .. these should give you an idea about construction. It's 45 sqm. I have no idea why some of the pics are upside down though.

[wjwren]

best way to over come this please - cut the frame or chip the concrete out?