DIY Decking

Prepping for the New Deck

One of the first steps is to clear the area where you plan to build your deck. After that, it becomes much easier to plan your build.

Next, grade the area. for a flat piece of land. Then, either taking some time with a wheelbarrow and shovel, or renting a mini loader, scrape some dirt away to make room for drainage stone and enough room for the joists to fit.

Once that is complete, lay down some fabric and crushed stone (drainage rock) where the deck is to go. The reasons for this step are very important. It prevents animals from moving in under your deck, it prevents plant growth, and it promotes good drainage without erosion problems, which if unchecked, can affect the stability of your deck over a long period of time.

Planning a deck should take a good amount of time as you want to calculate all your materials and work accordingly. Use graph paper to sketch your design, and work with a reliable hardware store to schedule the different delivery times of the required materials.

Materials

*All wood is pressure treated

• 5 x 30 x 40 cm (for beams, joists, and ledger)
• 5 x 20 x 20 cm (for beams joists on shallow side)
• 15 x 15 cm posts (for all posts)
• 5 x 10 cm (for ledger on shallow side under the windows)
• Premium deck boards in 5.5, 4, and 2 metre lengths
• Joist hangers (saves so much time!)
• Galvanized joist hanger nails
• Galvanized 16 gauge nails
• Quick-setting Concrete (for post footings)
• Crushed stone, aka wash stone (for underlayment)
• Fabric (over red dirt and under the crushed stone)
• Drainage piping (for redirecting gutter downspouts under the deck to other side of the yard)
• Kreg Deck screws

Tools

• Circular saw
• 21 degree framing nail gun
• Table saw
• Hammer
• Level
• Masonry string
• Impact drill
• Tape Measure
• Decking jig

Framing the New Deck

After laying out all the footings and letting them set for a few days, start framing out the deck. Use a ledger on the hose side drilled in, and use joist hangers to come out and lay on top of a beam.

The following photo shows a deck extending over windows where there used to be an old flowerbed and dirt, as well as a huge water trap.

Tips for a Backyard Deck

• Plan. Plan. Plan!  (There is nothing worse than not thinking through something and stopping all of your progress mid work.)
• Always be thinking of where water will want to go with your deck.
• Have the next stage of materials delivered so that you are always ready to go to the next stage without having to wait.
• A good portable circular saw is an invaluable tool in deck building.
• With a big outdoor project such as this, always be prepared for rain with the ability to protect your tools and materials.
• Nail guns are a lot more efficient than your elbows. However, a nail gun is not necessary.

Laying the Deck Boards

Next, start laying out the decking boards. Buying different sized boards creates an asymmetrical, randomised look. For example, lengths of 5.5, 4, and 2 metres could compliment one another. This process will require the circular saw.

As a finishing touch, a decking jig tool can be used to hide all of the deck screw - ensuring a cleaner look. The jig helps with the drilling of pilot holes, which allows for the deck screws to be popped in.This method keeps the boards from easily splitting.