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10 Top Tips For Laying A Wooden Deck
This is a useful alternative to the traditional patio or terrace.
A wooden deck can be laid quickly and efficiently with a few tools and a little ‘know how’. Where the ground slopes or the garden is difficult to access, a deck makes a quick and relatively straightforward solution to the problem.
Here are Ten ‘Top Tips’ for planning a wooden deck to help you select the right tools and equipment for the job.
What you'll need
Wooden Deck- 10 Top Tips when laying
Top Tip 1 - Location
Choose a sunny or part shady location but a wooden deck permanently in the shade may be plagued by damp and green algae growth. A south-facing vista is ideal for a wooden deck. Very wet or boggy conditions should be avoided at all costs.
Top Tip 2 - Building Regs
Check with the planning authorities before starting any construction work and keep on best terms with your neighbours by informing them of your intentions.
Top Tip 3 - Planning
Plan out the deck to scale; easily done using squared paper, bearing in mind the standard size of deck boards that you intend to use. A carefully designed wooden deck will limit the wastage both of boards and bearers.
Top Tip 4 - Excess Water
The rain in Spain will stay mainly on your deck if you don’t construct it with a slope of approximately 1:80. Ensure also that the fluted boards face in the direction of the water run-off. This has the advantage of making the deck less slippery and therefore less prone to the buildup of algae.
Top Tip 5 - Foundations
Use an old, unsightly concrete base or patio as a foundation; there is no need to remove it. On soft ground, make a simple foundation using paving slabs. Check to see that existing cabling and pipework below ground won’t be disturbed or damaged. Ensure that its level in all directions with a spirit level but if it’s not...
Top Tip 6 - Leveling The Bearers
Level the bearers with small offcuts of treated timber.
Top Top 7 - Timber
Use only pressure treated, tanalised decking boards and bearers.
Top Tip 8 - Construction
Use a tape measure, square and hand saw to accurately cut the boards to length. Alternatively, use a cross-cut ‘T’ square and mitre saw to prepare them to the correct sizes. To prevent splinters, handle the timber with heavy duty gloves. Make sure that the material is adequately supported when it’s cut to length. Check the diagonals of the frame with a tape measure; if it's square they will be equal. Paint all the cut ends with a proprietary preservative or protector.
Top Tip 9 - Fixing
Be sure to use screws which are suitable for exterior use and pre-drill the screw locations with a small bit to prevent splitting at the ends. Use a Torx T25 bit in the drill to insert the screws. Use a small off cut to ensure that there’s an even space between each decking board.
Top Tip 10
Maintenance – paint the decking once a year (or as appropriate) with preservative or protector, paying attention to cut ends. Slippery algae which may accumulate can be removed with a pressure washer.
