Decking

[wood4fun]

that will be nice for a bit of natural shade. good size deck must be nice to have a garden that size.

[Gadget]

The pic only shows about 66% of the garden size, and was much bigger again until I built the extension (top of pic) 16 years ago.

[tim'll fix it]

meanwhile in the real world get the router out

or just leave them cut square

[tim'll fix it]

What size spacing would you recommend between the deck boards?

I was thinking of using some small angle brackets to fasten the boards to the joists rather than screwing through them, something like this but galvanised-

UHM you have too much time on your hands if you can be arsed using those brackets for putting deck boards down! ;-)

You can get purpose made clips for fixing boards with no visible surface fixings, i have not used them so don't know if they are any good.

I allow about 4-5mm between boards, i usually knock a big nail through a piece of wood and use the nail as a spacer.

i use my number two posi screwdriver for the spacing, it has a handle so it easy to pull out of the deck afterwards.

And lets me sensisble hear this is softwood timber treated by pressure to maybe 1/2mm if you are lucky, it is gonna last 10 years max if you are lucky so where you place the screw really has no bearing on where it will rot

[panlid]

meanwhile in the real world get the router out

or just leave them cut square

again, in the real world if you want them rounded just get the router out

[ultimatehandyman]

Looks good Gadget

[ultimatehandyman]

I started the decking on Tuesday and so far the first deck joists and noggins have been fixed and the posts for the second deck, which is slightly higher then the first deck.

I'm surprised how long it takes to fit almost 40 square meters of decking

[skiking]

You need to concentrate the mind to get things done quicker....you've obviously got other distractions these days

[ultimatehandyman]

I keep trying to concentrate, but I'm aching everywhere from fastening the joists and noggins to the ledger and the deck posts

[skiking]

perhaps you need a rub down....do ya know anyone

[ultimatehandyman]

perhaps you need a rub down....do ya know anyone

Thanks for the offer, but you will make Handy Angie Jealous

[stealthdave]

apologies if this has been asked before but...

my b and q book states that I should put down a mebrane then cover with 40mm of gravel. Looking at the handy man guide they have landscape fabric with a bit of gravel? Why not 40mm.....?

Cheers

[tim'll fix it]

you only need a bit to stop it moving about

[stealthdave]

thanks tim....

is landscape fabric and a builders membrane virtually the same thing then?

[tim'll fix it]

by builders membrane do you mean polythene DPM

if so then no, landscaping fabric lets the water through

the trade name for it is Terram 1000

dont buy the thin stuff from B&Q