How To Build A Timber Deck?

Building a timber deck is actually a practical extension of the house where an outdoor communal area is available for family use ranging from relaxing up to family get together activities.

No family stays within the house walls forever. In one point or another, the family may want to share the outdoors without leaving their home and that’s where building a timber deck is a practical D.I.Y. solution to this.

Let’s see what goes through on how to build a timber deck; one that’s reliable and cost-effective.

Planning

Planning is everything! Before you start digging holes and hammering your outdoor space, a concrete plan has to be established first which is actionable through these considerations:

• 1. Secure a permit to build from the city council

This ensures that from the moment of construction up to its completion; all are covered within city guidelines and no work stoppage will come your way since you already secured the necessary forms from the city building authority.

• 2. Design plan for the timber deck

This will be your visualization on what form the timber deck will take shape after completion; its design and style. Crucial here are taking the correct measurements of the area where the deck will be built upon.

You are limited by the available space you intend to spare for the outdoor timber deck. Consider the height from the ground to where the deck should stand.

Proper leveling makes sure that deck will be at a flat level once finished. Nobody wants to be walking on a wavy or uneven surface. You may need more than luck in placing your tables and chairs if you have an uneven surface.

The plan should also include the position of the timber deck relative to the house, whether it’ll be facing the front, back, towards the sun or away from the sun. This will depend on your preference.

3. Check the intended ground area

Check what lies on and beneath the ground on where to build the timber deck. Cables and pipes may be beneath the ground on where you’ll be starting to dig holes.

Securing and marking them ensures no damage will be done to existing lines where they serve electricity, water or gas. Therefore, no work stoppage and delay that may happen due to damaging these lines.

Besides, it’ll be expensive and an added cost for any damaged line if you aren’t too careful.

4. Purchase the required building materials

With planning, you should be able to calculate the type and quantity of building materials to be used in building the timber deck.

This saves you time and money as you have already evaluated what materials needed with their sizes and quantity. This also minimizes buying too much or too few of any given material; thus making trips to the hardware efficient.

“Measure twice, cut once.” Check your measurements to ensure no wasting of building materials.

5. Secure the proper tools

Having the proper tools ready at your disposal gives you the time efficiency in building your timber deck. The more suitable the tool is, the faster the work will be finished.

Measure and Lay Out Your Deck

After seeing the measurement in the paper (through your design plan), lay out the proper measurement with careful markings set on the actual ground area.

This includes the actual dimensions, measurement, and height of the ground you will be working upon where parts of the timber deck from the ground up will be installed.

This will also put you in perspective on how building the timber deck will follow its square form and its intended dimensions according to your design plans.

Install the Stumps and Bearers

This is intended for having a firm foundation for the timber deck as they will be holding and supporting the deck from the ground. We’ll start off with the stumps and bearers.

• Stumps are posts that support the deck.
• Bearers are the timbers that are attached to the stump.

Read the step-by-step instruction of installing the stumps and bearers.

Install the Joists

After installing the stumps and bearers in their proper positions, what follows next are installing the joists. These are the timbers that are attached across the bearers on which the decking boards are to be attached.

Lay the Decking

The frame and foundation are now complete with the stump, bearers, and joists in place. Now, you’re ready to install and lay the decking boards. You’re definitely close to the finish line!

Read the step-by-step instruction of how to lay decking from Home Hardware.

Conclusion

Building a timber deck does not only add aesthetics and property value to your house but a common outdoor area in spending quality time with the whole family.

Finishing this gives you a solid sense of fulfillment where you can wonder the beauty of your own project every time you come out.

Make this a labor of love for the family and all the hard work from planning up to construction will surely pay off. Who knows if this will be the start of your home D.I.Y. improvements saving you money and practically adding value to your “home”.