Low-level decks using recycled pallet timber

[Arcc]

Recycled timber delivered great results while keeping costs down across three separate low-level decking projects around the one house.

• The project
• Deck 1: Courtyard
• Deck 2: Spa
• Deck 3: Backyard
• How to build a low-level deck
• More inspiration for your decking project

The project

I have been very busy working on not one but three decking projects for around my home. A lot of work, much blood, and many tears have gone into each of these projects, so I thought would share my work with all you other D.I.Y.-inclined people. If I can manage these results then anyone can.

All the decking boards and noggins in these photos are reclaimed treated pallet or crate wood that has been sanded and thicknessed and then stained to match other wooden features around the house.

The wooden joists are treated timber from Bunnings that were perfect structural foundations for the decking that followed.

Deck 1: Courtyard

Raw boards.

Cleaning and thicknessing boards.

Timber prepared.

Placing the frame and bolting to house.

Placing decking boards

A little help.

Preparing the ground for landscaping.

Starting the fence.

The finished deck has been well used.

Deck 2: Spa

Deck 3: Backyard 

I use the reclaimed timber for a little cost cutting as well as hating to see good timber go to waste in a landfill. I cry a little inside when I see good timber wasted. 

A deck can cost upwards of $3000 to $4000, so I decided to try to mitigate the cost by making do with what I could. The 65mm x 65mm RHS steel posts I got from work free, and I got the pallet wood free from the business next door.

I then just needed to buy all the timber joists and screws from Bunnings, spending about $250 on each of the three decks. Two 4L cans of stain managed to cover all three decks with at least two coats. All up I spent under $1000 and I know that I probably saved $8000, or more. 

The stain is Intergrain UltraDeck Merbau. I love it but it was not an easy decision to make because I also loved the natural colour of the wood. But with the deck getting so much use the natural colour wood not have held up for very long, even when sealed. 

How to build a low-level deck

A low-level deck can pose a range of potential design and installation problems, with challenges around ventilation, drainage, termites and rot. But it doesn't have to be a difficult project once you take the time to understand the basics of how a low-level deck is put together.

Experienced Bunnings Workshop member Adam Woodhams has created a comprehensive guide to building your own low-level deck, which provides an excellent reference for getting started. 

More inspiration for your decking project

Bunnings Workshop member Backyardtradie used Merbau decking boards to transform their outdoor entertaining area with this solid low-level deck.

Whether you're building a new deck or rejuvenating an existing one, you can get inspired by the clever and creative Bunnings Workshop community in our collection of Top 10 most popular deck projects and inspiring low-level deck builds.

Let us know if you need a hand with your deck project – we're here to help.

[tmcs]

Hi Arcc,

Love the work using pallets. Can I borrow your thicknesser? 😉

I am collecting wood pallets to build a deck and I haven't the funds to buy a thicknesser yet. Is there somewhere in Coffs Harbour that will do this for me?

Regards,

tmcs.

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @tmcs. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about thicknessing pallet boards.

Let me mention @Arcc, so they are alerted to your comment.

You might struggle to find someone willing to run pallet boards through their thicknesser as they are typically fairly riddled with nails. Hitting a nail with a thicknesser's blades dulls and destroys them pretty quickly. The cost of replacing the blades due to stray nails would be high. Alternatively, a cheaper but less precise tool would be an electric planer. It would be more work but could provide the option to do the job yourself.

You could always try your local Men's Shed to see if there was someone willing to help you out. 

I'll be looking forward to seeing your project come together. Please keep us updated.

Mitchell