Timber Decking

Timber Decking Timber Decking is a great way to expand the living space of your home as well as adding value of your home. Timber decking can provide room for a nice picnic table and benches or other comfortable outdoor furniture. This addition will make it possible to spend more time out doors with family or friends throughout the year. Snow can easily be removed providing a nice dry place for the family to enjoy an outside activity on warmer days where otherwise outside activities would be undesirable due to mud, wet conditions or deep snow.

Before you begin, obtain any permits or permission required to add the deck to your home or property. You need to decide what size deck you want to build, and make a list of what you need to get started. Next, you need to purchase the materials and gather the tools you will need for your project.

There are many different timbers to choose from so take your time in making this decision. You can choose soft or hardwood, keeping in mind that some woods like Kwila will fade or run after some time giving your deck a silver color, the oils can actually run over into surrounding concrete. Avoid second grade timber, you are making an investment in your home, it is well worth the money to invest in quality materials.

Material list:
Ground treated timber posts 4 x 4 or 5 x 5
Concrete to secure the posts
Outdoor treated timber Joists 4 x 2
Outdoor treated bearers 4 x3
Outdoor treated decking timber
Planks
Wood treatment for posts (check the paint department)
Galvanized nails and nail plates
Nails
Cement bolts
Washers

Tool List:
Standard tape measure
Note pad and pencil
Nail gun (recommended to save time)
Auger
Chalk line
Impact drill with appropriate bits
Tamping tool
Level
Saw
Beam Timber
Hammer
Joists Hanger

Draw a picture of the deck you plan to build. Mark off the area for your deck with a chalk line. Decide how many posts you are going to use, remember the number posts you use determine how stable your deck will be upon completion. Measure and insert holes in the house for the header, then secure the header to the house using cement bolts with washers. Cut each post to size and coat the raw ends with weather treatment. While these are drying dig the post holes (twenty to thirty-five inches deep). Each post needs to be set with the tamping tool, check each post to assure it is level. After the last post has been set fill the post-holes with ready mix concrete, level the concrete out around the post with a cement trowel, you can use pegs to hold the posts in place while the concrete hardens.

After the cement has dried place your bearers on top of your post, and secure these with galvanized nails and nail plates. Secure the joists to the form with hangers using ridge planks for joist support. Joist hangers can be used to secure each piece of timber.

Start laying your deck along the house, be sure and stagger each piece for a uniform look. Do not pre-cut each piece, it is better to let each piece overlap from the edge. For water drainage use a small nail to measure a very small space between each row. Position each board so each joint covers a joist. Use a decking nail to attach each piece of timber to the joist. It is a good idea to pre-drill the nail holes, to avoid gaps use your nail to measure between each piece of timber added to the deck, it may take a little longer but is well worth the effort. Now is the time to add a handrail or steps if desired or required. The last step if needed is to add oil or varnish finish to your deck.