Materials you will need for this project are:

For the subframe:

• 100mm x 100mm softwood posts
• 100mm x 50mm softwood timber
• Outdoor 80mm screws
• 20mm ballast and cement
• Terram weed membrane

For the decking:

• Soft or Hardwood deck boards
• Stainless steel or coated deck screws

Tools you will need:

• Spade & Shovel
• Spirit level
• String line
• Square
• Cordless drill
• Wheelbarrow
• Circular saw
• Hand saw

Step 1

Measure your area and excavate to the correct depth – a standard deck will sit approx. 150mm/6 inches above ground level, so dig accordingly. Once the desired level has been created, lay a thick weed-membrane over the area to prevent weed growth through the finished deck.

Step 2

The sub-frame should be constructed using 4’x2’ timber, with the cross-joists spaced at a maximum of 500mm apart – for thinner hardwood decking the joists may need to be closer together to prevent deck ‘bounce.’

Step 3

Once constructed the sub-frame should be secured with 100mmx100mm wooden posts, which are then concreted in place at each corner. This prevents the deck frame from both sinking and raising.

Step 4

When the frame is checked for levels and strength, the deck boards can be added. The boards should be laid at right angles to the frame joists beneath, and secured with 2 x decking screws on to each joist. Always allow a 2-3mm gap between each board to allow for wood expansion. Also check for straightness and bend accordingly before fixing. Continue adding boards along the sub-frame.

Step 5

Your deck should now be complete. Softwood decking is usually supplied treated so there is no need for any further finishing, unless you want to colour the boards in some way. Hardwood decking is naturally weather resistant and will age nicely left in it’s natural state