Recycled pallet and crate timber decks

[Arcc]

Hello everyone. It has been quite some time since I last submitted a project to these Bunnings DIY boards. I have been very busy over the last six months, though, working on not just one but three decking projects for around my home. A lot of work, much blood, and many tears have gone into each of these projects and so I thought would share my work with all you other DIY inclined people. If I can manage these results then anyone can, I hope this might inspire others to perhaps give it a try. All wooden decking boards, and noggens, featured within these photos are reclaimed treated pallet/crate wood that have been cleaned up (via being sanded and thicknessed) and then stained to match other wooden features around the house. However the wooden joists are simply treated timber from Bunnings that were perfect structural foundations for the decking that followed.

A special thank you to bunnings moderator Jason who sent us a little bunnings gift box shortly after my son was born. Inside it was a little bunnings t-shirt, a hat, and a bunnings teddy bear. Now two, the t-shirt and cap are a good fit and our little man is happy to show them off to the world. He will definitely be a bunnings customer for many years to come I think.

Deck 1: Courtyard

Deck 2: Courtyard

Deck 2: Spa

Deck 3: Backyard 

[MitchellMc]

Wow, you certainly have been busy @Arcc! Those are some exceptionally well-crafted decks, and I find it astonishing that you've managed to reclaim timber for all the decking boards. What's inspired you to reuse this timber instead of buying it? Was it a cost-cutting measure, or do you just enjoy saving perfectly usable timber from landfills?

I must say, I'm a great fan of the timber stain you are using on the Pine boards. Would you mind letting us know what product it is? They've come up looking very impressive.

Many thanks for sharing, and I trust you'll have plenty of our inspired members asking quite a few questions.

Well done.

Mitchell

[Jason]

Awesome to see you back on Workshop and sharing another amazing project with the community @Arcc. Lovely also to see the little man in his Bunnings Trade gear. I'm sure you will instil in him a lifelong love of D.I.Y.  

Many thanks for sharing. Please let us know if you need a hand with anything. 

Jason

[Arcc]

Thank you for your kind words MitchellMc.

As for the reason I use the reclaimed timber it is actually a mixture of both a little cost cutting as well as hating to see good timber go to waste in a landfill. I cry a little inside when I see good timber wasted. 

A deck can cost upwards of 3-4000 dollars and so I decided to try and mitigate some of this cost by making do with what I could. The rhs steel 65x65 posts I got from work free and I got the pallet wood free from the business next door. I then just needed to buy all the timber joists from Bunnings spending about $250 on each of the three decks (for timber and screws) and then two cans of stain ($300 for 8 litres) managed to cover all three decks with at least two coats. All up I spent under $1000 and I know that I probably saved $8000, or more. 

The stain is Intergrain UltraDeck Timber Merbau. I love it but it was not an easy decision to make because I loved the natural colour of the wood. However being well used decking the natural colour wood not have held up for very long, even when sealed. 

[Arcc]

Thank you Jason. 
He loves his little Bunnings outfit and comes out to help me… which makes life interesting at times (laugh). “Yes Alex, daddy loves his screws being scattered all over the decking.” Although he is good and will then hand me screws one at a time to use.

[HandyH]

So well done, very impressive 

[SxcMnx]

These decks look unreal! Well done 🙌. You've inspired me to do some research 🤓

[StevieB]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @SxcMnx. It's wonderful that you've been inspired by @Arcc's project.

Please let us know if we can help with planning out your deck project. @Adam_W's guide How to build a low-level deck is a fantastic place to start.

Stevie

[SxcMnx]

Thankyou @StevieB for the guide! It's definitely FAR beyond my capabilities at the moment, but at least I know what the actual bits & pieces are called now. It will help to have the basic knowledge & understanding when I get the professionals in to quote. 🤗

[casjsa]

Fabulous job Arcc, you've added so much value to your home and to your family's outdoor experience.  I love that you have used mostly recycled timber.  I'm inspired to think about doing this more often myself.  Yes, I have built a deck before but using bought products only.  I've only made kerbside garden edging with pallets so far.   Thank you for the costings as well.  We are about to embark on buying a cheap home (hopefully) and renovating, hence why I am here, to get ideas and learn.  Appreciate your sharing your knowledge.