Thread: First Time Deck

Hi
you need to have a minimum of 150mm between the underside of the bearers and the ground.
I would recomend concreting galvanised post stirups into the ground to fit the posts to.

Thanks for starting the thread pdockley. At the risk of hijacking it...I'm replacing a 15-year old deck (10m long by 1.5m wide, just a walkway really) on the Sunshine Coast, Qld.It's made of cypress and I'm extending part of it (the centre section by another 1.5m) and replacing (most)other parts due to rot. Figure I'll be using either treated pine or hardwood as I gather cypress is no longer acceptable to authorities (not that I need approval due to small extension size, less than 10m2, but don't want problems when I sell the house).

My query is regarding sizes of components (i.e. bearers, joists). Where do I find out what is acceptable - without sinking in a sea of beauracratic rules and regulations?

Hi jb
All sizes spans tie-down and bracing info is in the standard AS 1684.2 for non-cyclonic or AS 1684.3 for cyclonic available from timber queensland for around $60 each and can be ordered from the here.
http://www.tradac.org.au/

If the deck is as close to the ground as you say delete the posts and use a galv post support with a 300mm long dry leg straight onto the bearer.... If your experienced enough you can dig your holes lay out your bearers pack them to height nail on the joists then pour the concrete in the holes and leave it to set....

You'd be half way done in one go...

Maybe don't try it unless you are confident though cause if you get it wrong and don't realise it will be a pain to fix....

Worth considering though

cheers utemad

Originally Posted by julianx

Hi
you need to have a minimum of 150mm between the underside of the bearers and the ground.
I would recomend concreting galvanised post stirups into the ground to fit the posts to.

What's the go with the 150mm clearance? I could understand if the timber you were using for the bearers wasn't rated for contact with the ground, but if you use the right material, why would you need such a gap?
I have a similar clearance issue with my own place, the ground level outside is too low to just concrete without having steps into the house, but not quite low enough to have the clearance you're talking about without excavating a heap of soil (the deck spans 18M x 3.6M). I've run concrete posts in the ground, 100 x 100 rough Cypress bearers, 90 x 45 H3/F7 T/P joists. Even though the cypress is rated for 'in-ground' use, I've made sure there is clearance under the bearers, but not 150mm.

Originally Posted by julianx

Hi jb
All sizes spans tie-down and bracing info is in the standard AS 1684.2 for non-cyclonic or AS 1684.3 for cyclonic available from timber queensland for around $60 each and can be ordered from the here.
http://www.tradac.org.au/

Thanks. Very useful site; printed out a 6-page fact sheet on Residential timber Decks. Includes all spec's. Species selection says I can use cypress so I should be able to salvage some of the old deck.

When you say cypress i hope your not meaning the decking boards...At the risk of upsetting a few cypress makes for sh*t decking it splits cracks and looks worse than pine in a short period... Around here bunnings is the only big cypress seller they do pickets and all ....

cheers utemad

Thanks utemade, that reply was well-timed as I was considering cypress for the decking. I'm using hardwood for the bearers and will now also use it for the decking. Doesn't matter for the bearers but when I come to buy the decking hardwood I want to be sure it's not splintery. Any suggestions? Also not interested in imported Asian rainforest (merbau etc).

The merbau we get is Aussie and was what i would suggest... Batu and yellow belau are your indo boards and are rough on the face i find ..Blackbutt is aussie and also roughens on the face inside 12months.. Ironbark stays pretty smooth but will leave your wallet feeling pretty rough... Go with merbau and screw it down with stainless screws... I prefer a treated structure easier to work with and no rot issue or fungus if the subfloor ventilation aint great...

cheers Utemad

www.dialadeck.com.au

Hi Utemad

I am thinking about using Merbau decking. What kind of surface protection oiling/painting do you recommend, application method etc.

Heh, I just bought Ironbark decking for $3.20 per lineal metre - who's laughing now? Me!

Morning fellow deck builders......

If you require the Spec's for low lying decks shoot an email to

[email protected]

Ask for the PDF for the TQL 13 Residential Timber decks close to ground

I tried to attach to this thread but too large for download.

Originally Posted by BrissyBrew

Hi Utemad

I am thinking about using Merbau decking. What kind of surface protection oiling/painting do you recommend, application method etc.

Tonque oil with a brush/sponge/raygun/bikini chick/chippendale dancer if your a chick/whatever is handy.


Let it soak in for 20min, wipe off excess (bikini chick is good for this while you have a beer) and reapply next day!

Just started my deck and i have a ground clearance issue. I have concreted in 100 x 100 hardwood treated stumps spaced at 1500 crs to support 3.3m 140 x 45 bearers Pne CCA H3 (3 stumps per bearer) with bearers spaced at 450. The bearers are effectively individual beams which the deck planks will be nailed onto. The top of the bearers only sit about 200mm from the dirt. I will also be sloping the dirt to allow drainage into a channel. The deck isnt huge roughly 4m x 3m so i assume this is going to be ok. To ensure the bearers were all level, I first set them with a string line and clamped and then bolted onto the side of the stumps with M10 galv hex hd screws. Seems nice and solid to me.
I also took it all apart after i originally fitted it and painted the frame and stumps with weathersheid to give it a bit of protection.

Any thoughts???