How to build a low-level deck?

Ben26

Hey community iam looking at advice on building a low level single frame deck in my back yard. It will be 6mx5m.

Plans so far are to use 140x45 h3 timber for the whole frame using 12x stirups concreted in and where possible 90x90 as posts if space allows or bolted directly to the stirups. So far iam planning to bolt one bearer as a ledger board to the brick wall then every 2m out another bearer. In-between use 140x45 on joist hangers with joist hanger screws also spaced every 450. Do I need to double up the middle bearers? Or is a single 140x45 ok? Pretty much exactly as the picture from another members post I found. Will be over dirt. Should give me roughly 150-250 clearance under the deck for airflow. Planning on using 90x19 merbau as decking boards.

JacobZ

Hi @Ben26,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.

The deck you are planning sounds robust and up to the task. The materials you have chosen are good and they will be fine as long as the bearers are supported every 1400mm in line with the Hyne Timber Bearer Span Tables.

There shouldn't be any need to double up the middle bearer as everything you have described is well inside the allowable limits of the timber.

The main thing I would suggest to you is to contact your local council to confirm your requirements in relation to building approval. In many jurisdictions, you'll be fine, but certain areas require building approval for decks above a certain square metreage. It is certainly worth a phone call to confirm what you are planning is in line with your local councils' guidelines.

For some general information on deck building check out the following articles:

Let me know if you have any further questions or would like assistance with your design.

Jacob