How to build a deck for the undercover area?

[nels]

My undercover area at the back of the house measures 3M x 3M approximately and I find that I am constantly sweeping away dead leaves and grit that find their way into the corners and onto the mats that I have placed on the ground.

I was thinking of putting down a raised deck and wondering how difficult a job that would be. If I was to tackle this myself where would I go to to get inspiration?

[EricL]

Hello @nels 

Thanks for sharing your question about building a deck for an undercover area. Would it be possible for you post a few pictures of the area where you plan on building the deck. This will give our members a better idea of its layout. We can then make recommendations on how to proceed. I also suggest having a look at these guides - How to build a low-level deck by @Adam_W and How to build a deck by @MitchellMc. These guides will provide you with ideas on what to take into consideration when you plan your decking frame.

I suggest taking measurements of the area and thinking about which way the decking frame will face and in which direction the decking panels will be facing. 

Here are some low-level deck projects our Workshop members have shared:

• Low-level composite deck over concrete by @diy_hausdesigns 
   
• Low-level deck over concrete by @Backyardtradie 
   
• Low-level deck over concrete alfresco by @siran 
   
• Low-level composite deck over concrete and soil by @frediynewbie 
   
• Low-level composite deck over concrete and soil by @oninpena 
   
• Low-level Merbau deck over concrete by @DIYImpressions 
   
• Low-level Merbau deck over concrete and gravel by @Aliti1 

I also suggest having a look at the Bunnings deck building guide:

• How to plan out your deck
   
• How to set out a deck
   
• How to install stumps
   
• How to install bearers
   
• How to install joists
   
• How to lay decking
   
• How to add a step to your deck.

I hope you find inspiration among the links I've provided.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[nels]

Hi Eric,

Thanks, I'll look at those linked articles. In the meantime here are pics of my area.

 

  

[EricL]

Hello @nels 

Thank you for sharing those photos of your covered patio. Can you please provide us the measurement from your paved floor to the top edge of your sliding door bottom channel. Once we have this measurement, I'll be able to provide you with a bit of information regarding timber framing and decking gaps.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[nels]

Hi Eric

2.1M floor to top of sliding screen door.

[MitchellMc]

Sorry @nels. Could we get the distance from the pavers to the top of the door threshold? So, the height of the brick in front of the door and then the height of the black bottom frame of the door. We need to see if there is enough height to build the deck within without creating a trip hazard at the door.

Many thanks.

Mitchell

[nels]

Sorry Mitchell I misunderstood the question. It's 13cm.

[MitchellMc]

That's all good @nels. It's a bit confusing.

With 130mm, you can fit your 90 x 45mm joists and 19mm decking with 21mm of room under the joists. Your joists will be spaced every 450mm across the span and need to be supported every metre. For supports, you could either remove some pavers and concrete them in, or you could pack out under your joists with shims. Many of our members over concrete slabs use angle brackets to mount their joists. You might have to do a test to see whether you can drill into your pavers without them cracking and using them as the mounting point.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell