New decking

[arbee]

i want to deck out an area of the garden (fairly flat). Never done it before so have 2 Qs (1) where should I get the material from B &Q? and (2) how can i get of some design ideas and how to put it all together

 

[Steve]

dont go to b&q unless you like paying through the nose for substandard materials. Use a local timber merchant if you have one, look in the phone book if you dont know. Many of these now specialise in decking materials.

design ideas - with wood, pretty much anything's possible, use your imagination, set a budget, and DONT FORGET THE SCREWS!!!

 

[fathead]

imagination, set a budget, and DONT FORGET THE SCREWS!!!


a very expensive mistake that i do all the time!!!

 

[hoofy]

To give you a guide price, I am a small timber merchant and my decking is £1.85 a meter (150 x 32mm) inc vat.

Another thing you have to be aware of is the different qualities of decking so you really have to compare prices and have a look what quality they are offering for that price before you can make an informed opinion on who is the cheepest/best.

 

[Thermo]

if you want some ideas about how to put it togewther have a look here and click on the circle guide at the bottom of the page.

http://www.richardburbidge.co.uk/rburbidge-50

 

[Builder.Bird]

Hi.
I usually use the following for my decking projects:

4 inch x 4 inch supports every 1.8m in both directions
6 inch x 2 inch outer frame
4 inch x 2 inch joist @ 400mm centers
Rapid set concrete
4 inch # 12 screws for framework
2 inch #10 screws for decking boards
150 x 32mm Decking

If you screw it, it can be unscrewed.
If you nail it, you are screwed!!!!!!

If it is a large deck that you are constructing, make manageable frames and bolt them together with m12 nuts, m12 bolts, washers and timber connectors.

I also heard that if the decking is now placed directly onto the rear of your property that it is deemed as an extended living area / space to your home and that your council tax may be increased!!!!

 

[RMS]

Builder Bird,

do you use a larger sized outer frame so you deck boards butt up to the finished edge?

 

[Thermo]

i always use a deck board as a fascia along the front of the frame to mask the ends of the boards. Looks a lot neater

 

[Richardp]

Here's a pic of my decking, it cost 100 quid. I built it on pallets using tanalized 6x1ins timber from the local builders yard. It works best with red wine, at the moment I'm mending the table, in case your wondering.

 

[Thermo]

sure its not had too much red wine!

 

[Richardp]

sure its not had too much red wine!

I think your right thermo hic!

 

[Builder.Bird]

Hi RMS,

I set the top of the 6 x 2 joists flush with the top of the 4 x 2 joists the use a decking board as a fascia board.

One more thing to bear in mind is the time of year that you are constructing your deck. Timber expands and contracts, so allow for expansion of the boards in wet weather.

Dont forget the decking lights!!! There are loads of different types and are an excellent finishing touch to your deck.

 

[WabbitPoo]

i want to deck out an area of the garden (fairly flat). Never done it before so have 2 Qs (1) where should I get the material from B &Q? and (2) how can i get of some design ideas and how to put it all together

I build lots of decks and live in Notts also. PM me if you need more advice on suppliers - won't mention them here as it might be against the rules!

 

[Thermo]

dont think theres a pm facility wabbitpoo why not stick your e-mail in your profile

 

[moderator]

dont think theres a pm facility

That is correct