DIY Timber Decking, Design, Construction Help and Advice

Diy Timber Decking gives you some diy design ideas, hints, tips and things to consider about building your own diy garden decking.

Wooden Garden decking can enhance any garden or patio and is one of the most popular DIY garden projects people design and build in their gardens.

Solar lights, decking furniture, patio heaters and container plants 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, even small deck designs are suitable for smaller terraced gardens. Things to consider during design and planning:

  • Usage - What will he 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 can you afford

Remember to buy the decking timber or reclaimed timber two or three weeks before you plan to start building, this gives the timber time to climatise to the conditions of your garden and help prevent warping of the finished timber decking.

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 visit timber suppliers before and after the design process to familiarise yourself with the decking components. Here's a list of 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 buidling decking, thankfully there's no need to buy specialised 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
  • Chisels
  • Paint brush

Garden decking supplies specialists and DIY stores will be able to provide all the decking, tools and equipment.

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.

How to Build DIY Garden Decking

Building the DIY Timber Decking Base

DIY constrution 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 completionand 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 when starting the job 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.

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.

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