Thread: Merbau screening...

I think they are pretty much the same except for the grooves for decking. I have seen the decking installed with the grooves facing upwards and I have been told the grooves should actually be facing down on the bearers. Apparently to prevent moisture or water absorbing into the board. I think most people believe the grooves are for a non slip surface. Maybe someone can enlighten us.

Grooves should always face down.

How thick is the screening material. Screening is usually thinner than normal decking (min 18mm)?
TM

Its 19mm. However, the only 'noticeable' difference between the screening and decking (as far as I can tell) is the timber I have is not a single continuous piece of merbau, rather, segments joined together such as:

Chippy's Outdoor - Timber Screening, Merbau Screening, Privacy Screens, D.I.Y Screens

Link above is for jarrah, but for illustrative purposes, you can see that a single board in the pic...is not actually a single board...its multiple segments joined together. That's what my screening boards look like. So not sure if such a board is suitable for decking.

Considering the room I have to play with, joists will be about 440mm apart.

Cheers

G'day mighty_stanks,
How about some pics of your finished planter boxes?

This screening timber is something new since I built decks. The Jarrah example you gave us is only 14mm. Both the thickness and the joints would make me not want to use it on decking.

However, you're planning on fastening it to a concrete slab. Therefore no requirement for strength to span between joists etc.
I can't see a problem using it for your intended purpose.

It would be fine, although if you are worried about the strength of the timber, simply narrow the centres down a bit (i.e. 350/400 crs to 300mm). Make sure you think of a way to get crap that falls between the boards out - i.e. a few boards that can be unscrewed so a hose can be squirted between the bearers/joists. Otherwise it will eventually fill up with leaves, dirt, etc.

Trav

Originally Posted by cava

Grooves should always face down.

Thanks Cava

HI ,

These boards do not have the structural strength of solid boards,( obviously), due to the joins.

I would be VERY careful using them for a DECK, even though you are only 45-75mm above the concrete,.

I would look at fastening directly to the concrete, rather than on timber above if you must use them .

You must remember that these are off cuts, recycled , and any timber joined in this manner can loose 40%+ structural strength, If you can align the joins on to the bearers, no problems, but there will be wastage as the boards are not joined at regular measured lengths.


Jeff

Originally Posted by vk4

I would be VERY careful using them for a DECK, even though you are only 45-75mm above the concrete,.

I'm glad you're awake Jeff.
I thought the plan was to dynabolt the decking to the concrete.
You're dead right. Whatever the height, I wouldn't use these boards on top of joists.

Cheers
Jim