what height decking & DPC

[wjwren]

what height could i put decking to - what's the score with decking and DPC. Id like to deck up to the door ledge. Advise please.

[Spudler]

Fine. Just run it away from the house.

[herewego]

Against the door/window it's no problem but against the wall it needs to be 150mm below DPC according to building regs.

[Sheepshanks]

herewego said:

Against the door/window it's no problem but against the wall it needs to be 150mm below DPC according to building regs.

I know that's correct, but is splashing against a cavity wall much of an issue?

Last year one of my daughters bought a split level house built on a slope - one side of the house is decked feet above the dpc and it wasn't mentioned on the very detailed survey. They did comment that the dpc was above ground level and they couldn't tell if the supports for the decking itself were built on a damp-proof membrane.

[herewego]

Sheepshanks said:

herewego said:

Against the door/window it's no problem but against the wall it needs to be 150mm below DPC according to building regs.

I know that's correct, but is splashing against a cavity wall much of an issue?

Last year one of my daughters bought a split level house built on a slope - one side of the house is decked feet above the dpc and it wasn't mentioned on the very detailed survey. They did comment that the dpc was above ground level and they couldn't tell if the supports for the decking itself were built on a damp-proof membrane.

I don't really know. It may be an aggravating factor depending on circumstances such as prevailing wind, area rainfall, dampness of ground, sand or clay. I do find it odd that people are so keen to ignore a simple regulation designed to prevent internal damp. If you ignore the regulation then you're compromising the DPC. You may get away with it or you may not. If the house is put on the market any buyer who recognises the problem would ask for it to be resolved before purchase if only because the mortgage company would probably also flag it.
I may be slightly biased because I don't like decking unless there's good reason for it and I see no good reason for decking over a flat patio area.

[GT03ROB]

herewego said:

I may be slightly biased because I don't like decking unless there's good reason for it and I see no good reason for decking over a flat patio area.

I tend to agree with this. Decking is high maintenance compared to a paved area. It will also look rubbish in time, unless maintained.

Having said that I've put an area of decking down! My excuse was it's on a sloping area of ground & I used composite decking so low maintenance!!

[wjwren]

what's this composite decking like? Pricey isnt it?

[GT03ROB]

wjwren said:

what's this composite decking like? Pricey isnt it?

It's not cheap! Looks good has more variety of finish, Think £50-£70 / m2.

WE used this stuff http://dgfjdvufqus0j.cloudfront.net/wp-content/upl...
http://dgfjdvufqus0j.cloudfront.net/wp-content/upl...

Edited by GT03ROB on Saturday 9th April 09:18

[don'tbesilly]

wjwren said:

what height could i put decking to - what's the score with decking and DPC. Id like to deck up to the door ledge. Advise please.

Can decks be installed above the damp proof course (dpc) of my home level with a door?

The dpc exists to prevent dampness rising into a dwelling and should never be compromised or bridged. This is why one often sees advice to install decks well below dpc level particularly where the deck is a DIY project.

However, decks can be installed level with doors or patio windows using the following technique:
A ledger board (joist) is fitted to the wall using exterior grade bolts with galvanised or plastic washers around the shank to create a minimum gap of 10mm to allow water to run freely down the wall.
It is important to keep this gap clear of leaves and dirt etc which might bridge the dpc.
The deck support joists are then fixed to the ledger board using joist hangers. The joist framework should have a fall of 1:100 away from the property and have good ventilation underneath.
Deck boards should be fitted at right angles to the ledger and with a 6mm gap between each board.

http://www.tda.org.uk/t/faqs/

[MDMetal]

don'tbesilly said:

wjwren said:

what height could i put decking to - what's the score with decking and DPC. Id like to deck up to the door ledge. Advise please.

Can decks be installed above the damp proof course (dpc) of my home level with a door?

The dpc exists to prevent dampness rising into a dwelling and should never be compromised or bridged. This is why one often sees advice to install decks well below dpc level particularly where the deck is a DIY project.

However, decks can be installed level with doors or patio windows using the following technique:
A ledger board (joist) is fitted to the wall using exterior grade bolts with galvanised or plastic washers around the shank to create a minimum gap of 10mm to allow water to run freely down the wall.
It is important to keep this gap clear of leaves and dirt etc which might bridge the dpc.
The deck support joists are then fixed to the ledger board using joist hangers. The joist framework should have a fall of 1:100 away from the property and have good ventilation underneath.
Deck boards should be fitted at right angles to the ledger and with a 6mm gap between each board.

http://www.tda.org.uk/t/faqs/

That's exactly what I'll be doing, previous deck had a ledger but no spacers although there's no damage I'll be doing mine properly!

[C Lee Farquar]

Sheepshanks said:

I know that's correct, but is splashing against a cavity wall much of an issue?

I agree, virtually impossible to migrate to the inner wall surface from splashback alone.