DIY Timber Decking, Design, Construction Help and AdviceDiy Timber Decking gives you some diy design ideas, hints, tips, inspiration and things to consider before building your own diy garden decking. Wooden garden decking can enhance any garden, patio or small yard, and is one of the most popular DIY garden projects people design and build in their gardens. Solar led or mains led lights, decking furniture, patio heaters, bbqs and container plants can all help to enhance your diy garden patio and diy timber garden decking. |
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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:
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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
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Fixtures / Extras
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Composite Decking by TimberTech
TimberTech composite decking and railing is a revolutionary slip resistant alternative to timber decking that doesn't rot, warp or splinter — and never needs staining or sealing. Made from reclaimed wood fibres and pure polymer resin, TimberTech looks like new, year after year.
TimberTech offers you more colours, more deck board options, more possibilities — and promises you less worry than wood or other composites.
Choose between our introductory deck boards edeck; our most popular composite board TwinFinish; or for a more Tropical feel choose Earthwood Evolutions - the ultimate in hassle-free decking, this product comes with a 25-year guarantee including fade and stain!
Tel: 029 2070 5113 for your FREE sample
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.
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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.
Wickes Easy Decking Bearer is ideal for fast and easy frame building. (read more)Product Code: 540523
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.
Wickes Tuscany Railing Kit adds a touch of elegance and class to any decking project. (read more)Product Code: 154332
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
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