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Constructing your deck

SAFETY FIRST		TOOLS REQUIRED
Wear gloves to avoid splinter. Avoid prolonged inhalation of sawdust from wood When using power tools wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from the possibility of flying Particles		Spade Drill and Hammer Straight edge or chalk line Handsaw / Power Saw. Spirit level Screw Driver
STEP 1: CALCULATE YOUR REQUIREMENTS
A simple-to-use-table can be used to calculate your decking board requirements

STEP 2: PREPARING THE SITE
Mark out the desired area for deck with wooden pegs and string. This will help you visualise the size of the finished deck and guide for preparing the site. All earthed areas should be covered with weed control membrane to stop weeds and other growth. If you ground is flat and level you can proceed to step 4. However if you wish to raise the deck from ground level or the ground is uneven or sloped you should proceed to step 3.

STEP 3: RAISED DECK
A raised deck will need to be supported with fixed posts. The posts' holes will need to be 600mm deep and 1800mm apart. Fix posts into the ground with concrete, allow to set. Using a level, find the desired floor heights on the posts. This will give you the position of the top of your beam on the post. Secure the beams to the post using rustproof bolts, ensuring that these are flush with the top of the posts, unless you have decided to carry then through to provide posts for railings as shown in (A). If newel posts are to be used in the corners, the posts will need to be inset further from the ends of the beams as shown in (B).

STEP 4: FRAMEWORK
Cut the side joists (A) that will form the sides of the deck to the size you require and mark the position of the floor joists (B) at 400mm centres. Cut the deck floor joists (C) to length and place the floor joists in position where the deck is required. Assemble the framework using 4" screws or nails. Three screws or nails per joist end and floor joists (C) or use joist hangers. NB: Newel posts are required to be fitted at this point. These can be secured using rustproof bolts as shown in step 3B.

STEP 5: FIXING DECK BOARDS
Cut your deck boards to the required length. Place the first board with the end flush with the face of the front of the deck. Fix the first board to each joist with 2 1/2" x No.8 woodscrews through the edge of the board. Pre-drilling the pilot hole will help you with this. The gap between your boards should be 5mm for drainage. Place the next board parallel to the first and continue in the same way until the last board is laid.

STEP 6: DECKING STYLE IDEAS

Vertical Horizontal Diagonal Chevron STEP 7: FIXING HAND AND BASE RAILS From Newel post to newel post you will be able to measure the length of your hand and base rail. Your spindles should be spaced to a gap of no more than 100mm. We suggest raising the base rail 75-100mm above the deck to enable easy cleaning. Fix the base rail to the Newel or deck post with angle brackets. Support the base rail every metre with blocks of appropriately sized wood