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What depth for decking posts?

GrahamSev
Just Starting Out

What depth for decking posts?

If you are concreting wooden posts into the ground for decking whereby the post is extending up to also be the top Balustrade, what is the depth the posts need to be in the ground? Thanks!

 

JacobZ
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Decking Post depth in the Ground

Hi @GrahamSev,

Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

If the deck is tall enough to require a balustrade, then it is likely something that you should be speaking to a builder or engineer for their recommendations. As balustrades need to be resistant to horizontal loads in line with NCC Volume One, Section D2.16 and AS/NZS 1170.1, the anchoring requirements of your posts would be fairly complex.

As a rule of thumb, posts should usually be set 1/3 of their total height within the ground. For example, if you want 2m of post out of the ground, there needs to be 1m in the ground, but you would need to confirm this is suitable with a qualified professional.

To be safe, I would encourage you to reach out to an engineer for their recommendations.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

 

Jacob
 

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