Plan & Design – Decide the shape and size of your deck. For this guide we will use a basic square.
Create Deck Frame –
Step 1. Cut two joists for the sides of your deck and the two for the ends. (Fig A)
Step 2. Mark the position of the floor joists at 400mm intervals.
Step 3. Cut the floor joists to length and treat all cut ends.
Step 4. Place all joists in position where the deck is required.
Step 5. Assemble the frame using 75mm screws in pre-drilled holes,
three screws per joist end. (Fig B)
Step 6. Check the level of the assembled frame and adjust if needed.
Fitting Posts –
Step 1. Fix the corner posts using coach bolts, fastening
them to the inside of each corner. (Fig C)
Step 2. Bolt the side posts to the inside of the joists, where required.(Fig D)
( Remember the handrail height is recommended to be at
least 900mm from top of decking boards )
Laying the decking boards –
Step 1. Cut the deck boards to the required length and treat all cut ends.
Step 2. Place the first board flush with the face of the joist at the front of the deck
and fix with two decking screws into pre-drilled holes.(Fig F)
Step 3. Continue along the board using two screws at each joist.
Step 4. Fix the remaining boards as above, leaving a 3mm gap between boards.
Step 5. To finish, fix deck boards to the side joists as a fascia and to conceal the ends.
(If handrails are being fitted, leave these boards until later)
Fitting Handrails & Spindles –
Step 1. Measure the distance between two posts and cut the top and
bottom rails to length.
Step 2. Drill two 12mm diameter holes into the ends of the top and bottom rails
and corresponding holes into the posts.
Step 3. Join both rails to the posts with glued dowels or other fixings. (Fig E)
One post may need to be loosened while positioning rails. (If desired a gap can be left under the baserail, using a length of spacer or similar timber placed underneath. This is removed later.)
Step 4. Measure the length of the spindles to fit between the top and bottom rails and cut to size.
Step 5. Cut the first spacers and pin in position, then insert the first spindle. Fixing with anel pins at 45º if required.
Step 6. Repeat as above fixing the spindles at 100mm centres
