How do you build a deck step-by-step?

You can build low-level, mid-level or high-level timber decking. For a low-level decking, you just need to make sure your decking surface is at least 5 cm below the doors that lead to it.

If you want a slightly raised timber decking, you are looking at a mid-level decking project. Everything that requires raising the decking to the level of your storeys is a high-level decking.

Either way, you will need an expert for any sort of serious decking project. Include them in your decking building because they will be able to give you excellent advice and perform all the tasks perfectly well.

Follow these steps if you want to learn how to build your deck in 6 steps:

1. Plan your decking project
2. Obtain building permit if needed
3. Choose decking material
4. Place the decking foundations
5. Secure the joists
6. Lay the decking

That is, in short. Now, let’s go over each of these steps in more detail.

1. Making a plan and setting dimensions

This is when you plan your timber decking size and elevation. There is a general rule of thumb that your decking should be as large as the largest room in your house. It is important that the timber decking is in proportion to the house, otherwise, it will ruin the curb appeal of the entire home.

Image source: Wood Magazine

The size and the possible elevation are important because they determine the whole building process. If you only want a small decking on a concrete slab, that is a project that sometimes can be a DIY idea for those who love getting their hands dirty. However, everything more than that requires the help of a decking professional.

2. Checking if you need permission for your decking project

This step depends on your local council and on the size of your decking. In some councils, you don’t need a permit for anything that is less than 25 m2. Sometimes, this minimal surface area is reduced to 10 m2. You can never know until you check. Here are the links for the relevant authorities in different Australian states.

• Queensland – Department of Housing and Public Works
• Victoria – Victorian Building Authority
• South Australia –Building rules for South Australia
• Tasmania – Building and Plumbing in Tasmania
• New South Wales – NSW Planning Policy

3. Choosing the decking material

In Australia, you can mostly choose from hardwood, treated pine and composite decking material.

Hardwood comes in many different forms. The most popular choices for hardwood decking timber are ironbark, spotted gum, blackbutt, jarrah and merbau.

Hardwood is classified into four groups based on its strength and natural durability. Class 1 is the most durable hardwood that can last over 40 years. Class 2 is expected to last anywhere from 25-40 years. These two classes are best for building decking.

Treated pine is actually softwood that has been treated with different preservatives to make it more durably and resilient. The treatment levels from the least resilient H1 to the most resilient H6. For decking purposes, choose H3 or H4 levels.

Composite decking is made out of a combination of wood and plastic that is bound with some sort of adhesive. This is an increasingly popular option because it looks nice and it is very durable. Composite decking doesn’t require any sort of maintenance, and it is extremely resilient to all weather conditions.

4. Placing the foundations and bearers

First, you need to position string lines to mark the surface and the position of your decking. When you do that, you need to dig the holes for the stumps of your foundations.

Your stumps need to be absolutely even and in line. Place your stumps into the holes and pour concrete around them so they are completely secured.

Once the stumps are positioned, you need to use them to position the bearing beams so that you have a secured frame for your joists.

5. Securing the joists

Once you have the bearing in position, it is time to lay down the grid of joists. Keep in mind that the floor joists need to have even spacing between them. Also, the outer joists need to be connected with a solid blocking. That will keep the entire construction more fixated.

Pairs of joists connected with solid blocking should not be more than 1.8 m apart. Also, the middle section of all joists should be connected with bridging.

If one side of your timber decking relies on the side of your house, you need to attach one bearing plank to it, as well, so you can use it for laying the joists on it. This is one of the first planks you should install, together with other bearings.

6. Laying the timber decking

First, you need to cut your decking timber to the appropriate size. Make sure that it is long enough to reach the bearer beams. Secure the first decking plank on both sides and on the middle bearing, as well.

Make sure all the timber decking planks are identical in size. Place them one next to the other, making sure that there is no gaping between them. Secure their position. One by one, and you will have your entire decking positioned.

You may want to seal your decking if you are using the type of decking timber that requires such treatments. However, don’t apply the coating right away, but wait for 4-6 weeks for the decking to weather a bit. Only then should you apply the coating.

These are all the steps that you need to perform when building a decking. While they look easy, there is a lot of precision and skills involved in this project. That is why you should hire a professional decking expert. That doesn’t have to break your budget.

Visit Service Seeking and ask for quotes for your decking project. Soon enough, you will have several reasonable quotes to choose from. In that way, you will never overpay these kinds of projects.