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Design, Planning and Preparation DIY Garden Decking Components Tools and Equipment Preparing the Site Building the DIY Decking Base

Fitting the DIY Decking Boards Fitting Handrails and Spindles Preserver, Staining and Aftercare DIY Decking Products Buy Timber Decking Resources

How to Construct DIY Garden Decking

Planning and Preparation, DIY Timber Designs

Designing your DIY timber decking is the first step, decide on where in your garden to construct your diy decking and design it on paper first. Don't worry about the size of your garden/terrace, even small deck designs can be suitable for smaller terraced gardens.

Think hard about how long you want your decking last and buy the right quality of wood.  If you want your decking to last 15 years but you buy the cheapest untreated wood then you are likely to be disappointed.  If you expect to move within a few years then investing in top quality materials is not necessary.

It is not hard to find specialist decking board producers who offer a range of treatments and wood types with different expected lives.  Some even come with up to 20 year guarantees.

Things to consider during design and planning:

Usage - What will the diy decking be used for Size - Ratio of deck to size of your garden Placement - Shaded or Sunny area

Privacy - will the deck be overlooked by neighbours Levels - Single, two or three tiers of decking. Cost - How much do you want to spend?

Remember to buy the decking timber or reclaimed timber two or three weeks before you plan to start building, this gives the wood time to climatise to the conditions of your garden and help prevent warping of the finished timber decking. Don't neglect this important step.

DIY Garden Decking Components

There are many parts pre made to make the job of design and creating your own diy timber decking easier. You should really visit a timber suppliers before and during the design stage to familiarize yourself with the decking components available.

Here's a list of some common garden decking components:

Components Deck Board Deck Bearer / Pagola upright Pergola Cross Beam Newel Post Newel Caps Hand Rail Wood Spindles (various designs) Stair Riser / Stringer

Fixtures / Extras Landscaping Fabric Timber Preserver Decking Stain Exterior Screws Exterior Bolts Coach Bolts

Tools and Equipment for Building DIY Timber Decking

You're going to need some basic DIY tools for constructing the decking, thankfully there's no need to buy specialized equipment, but if you don't have these basic DIY tools then you'll have to factor the cost of purchasing/hiring the tools into the overall price of the decking project.

Socket Set Drill / Bits Plumb line / Spirit Level Screw Drivers Hammer

Saw / Jigsaw Tape measure Wood chisels Paint brush / roller

DIY stores and Garden centers will be able to provide all the decking, tools and equipment you'll need during construction and, just as importantly the aftercare of your finished decking.

Don't buy cheap tools, it's false economy and if their build quality is below standard they can be dangerious to use. Go for good quality branded ones like Spear and Jackson, Draper etc.

Also beware of buying second hand tools that could be damaged, if you find some used tools that look like a bargain, be sure to inspect them carefully before you use them.

Safety Wear for your own Protection

Any kind of DIY and gardening work should be approached first and foremost with safety in mind.

Read the article on safety and consider any additional safety equipment you might need for yourself and any helpers during the job. The work wear safety article can be found here.

Solid footwear, safety googles and gloves should be seen as a bare minimum.

Preparing the Site

The site for your garden timber decking should be level and firm. Grass and weeds should be covered with a landscaping fabric to inhibit their growth beneath the decking.

For soggy ground with poor drainage it's recommended the area be covered with gravel / pea shingle to keep the main decking bearers off the damp ground as much as possible, reducing the likely hood of the wood rotting and helping to prolong the lifespan of the decking.

How to Build DIY Garden Decking

Building the DIY Timber Decking Base

DIY construction of the decking is to build the base frame first, starting with the outer frame then the intermediate bearers. Be sure to check all corners for squareness and treat all cut joints with wooden decking preserver to protect them from water.

The wooden base frame should be flat and completely supported on the support posts before moving onto the next step.

Fitting the DIY Timber Decking Boards

Once the base frame is finished the timber decking boards can now be screwed down to form the wooden platform. Don't fix the boards straight away but lay them out loose to check the spacing and gaps first. Each decking board should be held down with two exterior screws where they meet the frame underneath.

Fitting Handrails and Spindles

Handrails can be fitted to your new timber decking to finish it off and are a valuable safety feature for those of you planning raised timber decking projects.

The newel posts (uprights) are attached to the base of the decking with coach bolts and the handrail is screwed to uprights with exterior screws. Spindles are also fitted with screws. For safety reasons the wooden spindles shouldn't be no more than 10cm apart.

Decking Preserver,Timber Staining and Aftercare

Your local DIY store will have a vast assortment of decking stains, timber varnishes, wood treatments and sealers for your timber decking and other wooden furniture. Use products specifically designed for timber decking.

You should have remembered to apply preserver to all your cut ends, you can treat the timber decking to enhance the look and keep it looking nice.

Treat your diy timber decking to an exterior wood stain or sealer on completion and then once per year to keep it in good condition. A timber decking sealer and garden decking cleaner can be applied which is useful for limiting moss / algae growth.

Thank you visiting Diy Timber Decking

I hope this little info site has gave you some thoughts and ideas on deck designs, building your own diy garden decking and explained the process a little so you know what to expect before starting the project yourself.

Remember working outdoors with electrical tools can be dangerous so please bear in mind a give some thought to your own health and safety and that of others. An outdoor circuit breaker is a must.

I wish you all the best in your diy timber decking project and hope you enjoy your new timber garden patio.

Interested in DIY Garden Design?

Why not visit our new Garden Design web site for advice on DIY Patios, Garden Lighting inc solar lights, patio heaters, barbeques and a guide to plants for your garden.

Buy Timber Decking Online

You purchase timber deck tiles, decking boards and other garden decking for your DIY Garden Decking projects online and have them delivered from various suppliers. I've listed some of the larger suppliers here.

Shop for quality DIY tools at Wickes.co.uk – buy online or visit in store.
B & Q some decking kits are available online
Amazon Decking tiles and solar lights available online

Resources

Creating the perfect home can be really fun, picking out everything you want from flooring to decorating! Make sure you protect your house with a home buildings insurance from Endsleigh.co.uk

Driveways - Zenith Staybrite's driveway designs add a luxurious appearance to finish off any home, from a country cottage to a chic town house.

Home Insurance - Swiftcover has taken home insurance back to basics. You'll only buy the cover you need and you will know exactly what you're covered for. Isn't that how it should be?

UPVC Windows Hampshire - A specialist replacement UPVC windows, doors and conservatories company based in Hampshire.

Home improvement with Godfrey DIY stores. Buy online or in store today!

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