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Hello Team, i plan to build a deck outside within the shed area over concrete area.
Dimensions are 8 meters x 3 meters. Ground clearance at the entrance (left side) is 120mm but on the right side window clearance is 170mm.
I want to build a deck with merbau 140mm running to parallel to house with picture frame design.
Also i want to lay pebbles at the edge of decking like this
I have read the “Building low clearance guide” and want advice on lengths required to start the project. Appreciate your guidance. Thanks
Hi @DIYImpressions,
I'm keen to assist with your project. Have you started drawing yourself up a plan of how you'll build the structure? What sort of advice were you looking for on lengths?
Here are some renderings I've put together on a possible way to build your deck. It's something I've been working on for a while and it's based on a system where each square meter of the deck is treated as its own repeatable entity. There are only nine separate tiles used to build a decks structure. I've drawn your 8000 x 3000mm deck to scale using 90 x 45 outdoor framing timber. In the first image below are the 1000 x 1000mm tiles I've used. This might all be a bit boring, but it's an interesting concept to me.
Let me know what you think and if this makes it easier for you to understand how the deck will be constructed. Feel free to ask any questions. We're here to help.
Mitchell
Thank you. I have read that in detail and also look at other low-level decks post. I have few more questions before I place the order
1) There are two joists together on left and right. Why is that? and what's in between them and how they are attached?
2) How much gap should I leave between two Merbau decks? Also, I see one of the Merbau plank is stripped (the top plank). Can it be done through bunnings?
3) With 120mm ground clearance, the total deck length will be 109mm (19mm + 90mm). This means 11mm will be the gap between the slab and the bottom of the joist/bearer. Can I cover the gap from the sides to prevent rodents from going inside?
4) How to maintain the 11m clearance throughout while screwing the timber?
5) Joist lengths will be 210mm? and can I get these exact cuttings from bunnings?
6) How to calculate qty required for timber and merbau? and what sort of angle brackets, screws etc I should be looking at.
Thanks
NR
Hello @DIYImpressions
My colleague @MitchellMc will be back on Friday. Let me try and answer some of your decking questions.
Let me tag @MitchellMc in case he has more information to add to the recommendations I've given.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Hi @DIYImpressions,
It appears @EricL has comprehensively answered your questions.
Our team in-store can't cut that last Merbau decking board down to size for you. Our saws don't have the ability to rip a piece of timber down the middle like that. You'll need to use a circular saw at home to do it.
Please let us know if you have further questions and keep us updated on your project.
Mitchell
Than you @MitchellMc @EricL
I will be visiting bunnings to place the order. Few more questions
1- I am seeing double joist on the left and right corners and assuming this is because I want to have a picture frame design. How much is the interval between the joists?
2- Do I need top and bottom horizontal joist? I have seen couple of projects where joists weren't used horizontally.
3- At what interval I should screw the deck panels? I really want screws to be invisible. What can be done here?
4- @EricL on your comment in using "Dynabolts for the interior of the deck and Ankascrews for the outside perimeter to prevent cracking the cement base" can you please link the required product.
5- I am also bit concerned on mounting the bracket on concrete and on joist. How do I start? Is there a technique to follow such as to screw down the bracket first on concrete and the mount the joist?
Thank you so much.
Hello @DIYImpressions
Let me answer some of your questions.
I'm sure @MitchellMc will add more information in case I've missed anything.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Thanks @EricL
isn't ekodeck quick fix kit is used for composite deck? In my case i am using Merbau deck. Also after how much space should I screw the merbau deck panels?
Regards
You are correct @DIYImpressions; the Ekodeck Quickfix Concealed Kit is designed for use on Ekodeck decking. I'm not sure whether that kit works with Merbau decking, but I do know you can use a Camo Marksman Pro 133mm-146mm Wide Board and Camo 7G x 48mm Edge ProTech Coated Carbon Steel Trimhead Deck Screws to conceal your screws.
When you ask, "how much space should I screw the merbau deck panels?" do you mean how much gap do you leave between the decking boards? If so, between three and five millimetres, but the Camo Marksman Pro creates an automatic 4.7mm spacing whilst using it.
Mitchell
Hi @MitchellMc
i meant how many screws I should mount on Merbau deck and after what interval: see yellow circle in this pic for reference
what brackets i should be attaching to mount horizontal joist to vertical joist like below so that front side of horizontal joist is plain without any nuts and make it easy to mount merbau panels on side
and in few of the projects i have seen black spray on top of joist and green on sides of joist. What is that and do i need it in my case?
thanks
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