Blueprint Blog

Now that we’ve covered building your Decking Subframe you can turn your attention to installing your Decking Newel Posts, Decking Handrails and Decking Spindles.

When it comes to Decking Balustrade there a various designs of Decking Spindles, Decking Handrails and Decking Newel Posts which range from simple Square or Stop Chamfer designs to the more elaborate Turned Colonial designs. No matter which design you choose the fitting method used is the same.

There are three methods of installing your Decks Newel Posts:

1. If its a new deck you can install the Newel Posts on the inside of the joists before side fixing them to two or more joists using landscape decking screws at 175mm long.
2. For an exisiting deck you can cut out the bottom of the Newel Posts and half lap them over the edge of the Deck before side fixing them – again use 175mm Decking screws.
3. You can purchase a metal Decking Post bracket which is bolted to your deck. You then slip the Newel Posts into the bracket before screwing them securely.

Fitting Decking Newel Posts

Now that your Newel Posts are in place tommorow we can look at fitting our Decking Handrails and Decking Spindles

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Building The Sub frame

Before you start building the sub frame for your new Decking be sure to check there are no drainage problems in the area where your are planning to build your Deck. The design of your Decking must maximise the airflow through and around the Deck to ensure good ventilation.

Mark our the site accurately taking care to ensure the area is square (see Fig 1). Your Garden Decking can either be freestanding or attached to your house depending on your preference. When attached to a house ensure the finished Decking Level is at least 2 brick courses below the damp proof course. If this is not practical then you must allow or a gap between the house and your new Deck to allow drainage. A ledger boards should be bolted to the wall to carry and support your Decks joists. A timber joist 47mm x 150mm is sufficient for use as a ledger board.

It is important not to lay ground level decks directly onto your lawn. Remove all turf from the Decking area and cover the ground with a permeable membrane before covering the area with gravel. This will prevent any weeds from growing beneath your brand new Outdoor Decking saving you a lot of hassle in the future. You can lay the frame of your Garden Decking onto concrete paving slabs bedded into position or onto an existing concrete area.

If you’re constructing an Elevated Deck then 100mm x 100mm x 1200mm timber structural posts should be used and positioned no greater than 1800mm apart. A minimum of 900mm of the post must be sunken into the ground and fixed with concrete. Beams are attached to theposts using 150mm landscape screws and the joist frame is fixed to the beans by skew nailing or screwing.

Please note its good practice to consult a structural engineer when planning elevated decks to ensure the proposed decking has sufficient structural strength.

When building the joist frame for your new Outdoor Decking you should space the joists at a maximum of 400mm centres using 100mm galvanised landscape screws. You can also use joist hangers which can be bought from your local DIY store or Builders Merchants. To add strength to your joist frame you should use noggins (offcuts of joists) between joists which prevents them twisting or bowing. The noggins should be spaced at 1200mm centres and in a staggered pattern.

Tomorrow – Installing your Decking Handrails, Decking Newel Posts and Decking Spindles

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Before You Get Started

The most important stage when building your Decking is planning. You should check the depth and position of any underground popes, cables or services and you need to build access into your Decking for any manholes or inspection covers as taking your decking apart to access these can be extremely inconvenient.

Our Decking Systems are designed for use on Decks up to 600mm high from the ground. If you are planning a Deck which is higher than this you will need to seek professional advice and consult a structural engineer to ensure your Deck has sufficient load bearing strength and conforms to UK Building Regulations.

Also check with your local planning office as to whether you  require any planning permission for your Decking. In most cases this is not required for domestic Decking unless it is within 20 metres of a road or its height exceeds 3 metres above the ground. However it is better to check first as the last thing you want is to building your Garden Decking only to have to take it down due to any planning permission issues.

Tommorow we discuss the next stange of your project – Building The Subframe of your Deck

For informaton on our Decking Systems or Decking Kits call 01691 671020 or email info@blueprintjoinery.com and our experienced staff will be happy to help.

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