Building a timber deck is a wonderful way to enhance your home and garden. Timber is a natural product, which is versatile and much easier to work with than most other materials. You can construct virtually any shape, size or style you desire from a simple ground level deck to a large raised split-level design complete with railings and steps.

As with any garden design, you need to plan your deck area very carefully; decide what function it will serve, what you wish to put on it, what area you wish to cover and, most of all, whether you want it to surround an area of the house or be sited in another part of the garden.

It is possible to construct simple ground level decking yourself. You can purchase deck kits, which are designed with the competent DIY person in mind. These kits are fairly easy to install and can be installed in one weekend. They come complete with full fitting instructions, screws, bolts and the option to purchase a variety of add-ons such as, pergolas, bridges, handrails, etc. More complex structures are best left to a professional, who will also design the whole thing for you to your required specifications. There are many other accessories available to complement and enhance your deck area such as, hot tubs and spas, lighting, water features, built-in seating, awnings, heating, furniture, planters, railings and steps.

Standard components and decking boards are available from DIY stores and timber merchants and come in softwood and hardwood. The most popular choice appears to be softwood, which has been pressure treated with a preservative to prevent rotting. Hardwood decking boards do not require pressure treatment.

Deck boards usually come in widths of 75mm to 150mm, but wider boards are quicker to install. Grooved boards are also available, offering a better grip in wet conditions. Coloured boards can be purchased to suit your colour scheme in the garden, or you can paint them yourself.

Before you begin constructing your deck, you need to work out the size and site orientation first. You will then need to make sure that your site is properly prepared, otherwise unsightly weeds will begin to grow through in time, spoiling the effect:


Mark out the proposed area with wooden pegs and string.
Clear all weeds, turf and other debris from the site and compact the ground, leaving a gentle slope towards the outer edge of the deck for drainage.
Lay a membrane cover to suppress the weeds and then cover with gravel.
You are then ready to begin constructing your frame. You need to work out the finished level and build the deck accordingly - remember that the key to a good decking area is a good solid frame.
Decide which way the final decking boards are going to run and then build the main joists of the frame in the opposite direction. The frame can be built directly onto the patio or can be built up using pillars.
It is best to screw all boards into position to ensure a good, solid finish, which will last for many years.
A reasonable gap should be left between each board to allow for drainage and expansion.
Strengthen the basic frame with cross membranes for added strength.
You can then paint your decking whatever colour you wish or simply enjoy its natural finish.
Once your decking is complete you will need to take certain steps to ensure that it stays looking good. Keep the deck area clean by regular brushing - a stiff brush should remove mildew and algae. Occasionally, it is a good idea to use a pressure hose for a more thorough clean. Pots should be raised up to allow adequate air circulation and avoid a build up of mould. Providing you use good quality materials and ensure that your decking is well constructed and cared for, you should get many years of enjoyment out of it.

By: Adrian Kinley
For more decking and patio ideas please visit Build A Patio.

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It seems that too often we read or hear stories about injuries and even deaths caused by using an unsafe wood deck. Most if not all of these accidents could have been avoided had the decks been inspected and deficiencies repaired or replaced.

Unsafe decks are usually the result of unapproved construction or materials, rot or damage to structural components, or improper use. This article addresses defects that have been present in the deck from the time it was constructed.

How does it happen that a deck does not meet current safety requirements? Well the first reason is that building codes are constantly being reviewed and changed. The deck builder can't be blamed for not building to a code that wasn't in effect at the time of construction. Additionally not all decks are or have been built to code for a variety of reasons. Unlicensed contractors and even home owners themselves often take a shortcut and avoid getting a building permit and required safety inspections. For that matter, not all local governments require building permits or inspections for sun decks.

So what kinds of things does the homeowner need to look for? The answer to that could easily require much more than can be covered in this article. However, based on many years of observation, the most common defects can be outlined:

Railings: 1) The railing height is less than 36". 2) Picket or baluster spacing is greater than 4". 3) The railing post are notched. 4) Nails or lag bolts are used instead of carriage bolts to attach the railing post.

Stairs: 1) There are open risers. 2) There is no graspable handrail on the guard rail. 3) No stairway illumination or lighting is provided.

Structure: 1) There is no flashing where the deck attaches to the house. 2) The deck is attached to a cantilever of the house. 3) The deck is attached to the house with nails or too few bolts. 4) Thereis no additional framing for heavy objects like hot tubs. 5) The beam is not notched into support columns. 6) The beam is not through bolted to support columns. 7) Splices in the beam are not over the support columns.

Remember this is not a complete list, just some of the more common defects.

Inspection for most of these conditions is easy. If you're not familiar with some of the terms, check with your local building department. These offices often have a printed set of deck construction regulations complete with drawings and definitions. There are also many excellent books on deck construction that you can buy or check out at your local library.

For your inspection you will need just a few tools: tape measure, flashlight, and a ladder if the deck is attached to the second story of the house. A notebook and pencil will help you remember your observations.

If you find any of these conditions, further inspection by a licensed deck contractor, home inspection service, or better yet, a building inspector from the city or county building department is recommended. They will be able to tell you the severity of the problem, how it can be corrected, and an estimated cost.

By: Ernie Sears
Ernie Sears is the founder and owner of www.BackyardAmerica.com and has more than 40 years experience in residential construction.

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