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Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Gazza45. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about building a deck.
Building a deck at an 800mm height requires careful planning to ensure it meets all safety and structural standards. For a deck of this height, especially with the addition of a handrail, it’s advisable to consult a professional. They can help prepare a detailed set of plans to ensure the structure is safe, stable, and fully compliant with local building regulations.
Our How to build a deck guide is an excellent starting point for understanding the basic construction process, but since this isn’t a low-level deck, you’ll need to consider specific spacing and load-bearing requirements tailored to elevated decks. For example, joists are typically spaced at 450mm centres when decking boards run across them. Bearer spacing, however, will depend on the size of the joists. If you’re using 90 x 45mm joists, bearers are generally spaced at around 1000mm centres. Similarly, post spacing is determined by the bearer calibre; for instance, with 140 x 45mm bearers, posts should ideally be no more than 1800mm apart.
Since elevated decks must handle greater load and stability factors, enlisting a professional to confirm these specifications is strongly recommended. Additionally, it’s essential to check with your local council for any specific requirements or approvals needed before beginning your project.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
