so diagonals will be equal,
which means the layout
is square.
STEP 3
Select 2 straight
joists and cut to a length
of 1800mm. Lay across
bearers at their ends and
skew-screw to bearers
after predrilling, using
100m m screws. Check
again that frame is square.
STEP 4
Bring in remaining
5 joists and, if not straight,
position them bow-up.
Screw 3 central joists in
place, one in centre and
others spaced 350m m
to each side.
STEP 5
Screw last 2 joists
in place to give a double
joist at each end for fixing
ends of decking, when
using a border. Use a deck
offcut (22mm thick) as
a spacer by screwing it
to outer joists at each
bearer. Align the joists,
then screw in place to
bearer and spacer.
STEP 6
Cut cladding to
size with a vertical mitre
at each corner. Screw to
joists and bearers after
predrilling to prevent ends
from splitting.
STEP 7
Cut perimeter
boards for deck to length
with a 45° mitre at each
corner. Screw 3 boards
in place so they are flush
For project supplies,
see Stockists page
with cladding boards all
around. Leave 1 perimeter
piece along a double joist
open until decking boards
have been fixed.
STEP 8
Screw decking
boards in place so they are
5mm clear of perimeter
board opposite the open
side and leaving equal gaps
of about 7mm between
boards. They don't need to
be precut to length if they
are offcuts from cladding
and perimeter boards.
Screw them to each row
of joists with two 50mm
screws per joint.
STEP 9
Measure 95mm
back from outer edge of
cladding and draw a line
across ragged ends of
boards. Set up a straight
edge so your power saw
will cut along line and trim
off ends. Then screw on
final perimeter board.
STEP
10
M ake sure
deck is level by lifting and
blocking under bearers,
as necessary. Note that
a slight slope on decking
boards will help water to
drain off in wet weather.
STEP 11
To prevent pine
boards from weathering,
coat exposed surfaces
with a pigmented decking
oil (here, in Merbau). It's
best to apply oil with a
lambswool applicator.
Perimeter board
Cladding
L a r g e d e c k
The large deck is made from two 2.4m square decks.
It's almost 200mm higher than the smaller decks.
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
To make one 2.4m
square deck
Footings (4) 90 x
90 x 2400mm H4
treated pine
■ Bearers (4) 190 x 45 x
2400m m treated pine
Joists (9) 90 x 45 x
2400mm treated pine
a. Cladding (16) 90 x
22 x 2444mm ACQ
pine decking
Perimeter boards (4)
90 x 22 x 2444mm
ACQ pine decking
Decking (24) 90 x
22 x 2254mm ACQ
pine decking
YOU’LL ALSO NEED
100m m
and
50m m
treated pine screws;
pigmented decking oil
HERE’S HOW
STEP 1
Cut footings to
length. Lay out 4 footings
on flat surface to measure
2400mm from outside to
outside, with 2 equally
spaced in between.
STEP
2
Cut
deep
b e a re rs
and
place
across bottom footings
to form a 2.4m square.
Skew -screw together
with 100m m screws.
Check frame is square.
Large Deck Diagram
STEP 3
Screw on outer
joists, then bring in
remaining 7 joists. Screw
on 5 central joists, one
in centre and the others
spaced 325mm apart to
each side.
STEP 4
Screw on last
joists to form double joist
at each end with a 22mm
spacer in between.
STEP 5
Cut 4 rows of
cladding to size with a
mitre cut at each corner
and screw to joists and
bearers. The top row
should finish flush at top.
STEP
6
C ut
and
screw on
perim eter
boards (see Step 7 of
Small Deck), leaving
1 piece along a double
joist open for fitting later.
STEP 7
Screw decking
boards in place so they’re
5mm clear of decking
opposite
open
side
and leaving equal gaps
(4mm) between boards.
STEP 8
Trim decking
boards to length, then
screw on final piece
of perimeter. Apply oil
(here, in Merbau) with a
lambswool applicator. ►
Decking
/
Cladding
/ \
f
L L
"
I
Small Deck Diagram
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^
Joist
Bearer
Spacer
Perimeter board
/
Cladding
Footing
Spacer
Cladding
1 4 7
