Spotted gum decking + Tanacoat

[Marksman]

Hi all!

I am looking to build a deck, about 1m off the ground attached to my house.

I have found some 135 x 32 spotted gum decking, and like the fact that the thicker decking will make the deck feel a lot more solid.

Has anyone ever worked with this material to build a deck, and what problems may be encountered?

I was planning on screwing it down, 2 screws/joist.

Secondly, I have found a product called tanacoat by Outdoor Structures. It is a UV stabiliser and water repellant product for coating decks. Has anyone had any experience or feedback from this product?

Thanks for your time

[GraemeCook]

Hi Marksman

Only downside that I can think of is that water may pool more on the wider planks. I like the solidity of thicker floors.

This weekend I will be at the Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart with a yacht called Canobie, built in 1912 and which has spotted gum framing (ribs and keelson) and huon pine planking. At 97 years young in a marine environment the spotted gum is still going well. For well over one hundred years spotted gum was the timber of choice for boat framing by Tasmanian shipwrights.

Cheers

Graeme

[orraloon]

I would be ok with boards that wide if the deck is under cover but if exposed to sun and rain then there is more chance of wide boards warping. I used screws on mine as I did not want the hastle of nails gradually popping up and the deck becoming squeaky. Screws dont look so neat as nails as they show more so spend time to get the rows neat and spaceing right.
Regards
John

[dhphlcs]

Hi all!

I am looking to build a deck, about 1m off the ground attached to my house.

I have found some 135 x 32 spotted gum decking, and like the fact that the thicker decking will make the deck feel a lot more solid.

Has anyone ever worked with this material to build a deck, and what problems may be encountered?

I was planning on screwing it down, 2 screws/joist.

Secondly, I have found a product called tanacoat by Outdoor Structures. It is a UV stabiliser and water repellant product for coating decks. Has anyone had any experience or feedback from this product?

Thanks for your time

Hi make sure the timber has been cut for at least 6 weeks otherwise the deck will warp and buckle. Long screws are good much better than nails and leave unoiled for another few weeks before oiling.
This is another problem if your deck is uncovered as ours is.
No oils last longer than 2- 3 months so good luck.
D hayes