Thread: Free standing deck

Just to satisfy my curiosity, if the footings are not dug in and sitting on pavers how is the deck anchored down?

By the weight of my outdoor table

its freestanding so it does it need to be tied down?

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There brick wall on three sides I could fasten it to if that’s required.

Table was what I was thinking too. While the weight may hold its position relative to house, one of the thoughts running around in my somewhat empty head, with a deck out in the weather, timber movement/warping or slight soil movement you could end up with some footings losing contact with the ground and subsequent bounce.

Just a thought, I know you don’t want to dig your footings in, but maybe screw-in footings could be helpful as you would only need to lift a paver to install. I believe they are available from a big green shed.

Originally Posted by apple8

Table was what I was thinking too. While the weight may hold its position relative to house, one of the thoughts running around in my somewhat empty head, with a deck out in the weather, timber movement/warping or slight soil movement you could end up with some footings losing contact with the ground and subsequent bounce.

I’m using screw adjustable bearer supports, mainly because I can’t guarantee the pavers are all exactly at the same height. Any movement (shouldn’t be as the pavers have been down for 35 years) can be adjusted out later.

I’m a timber guy but SWMBO wants me to look at composite boards so we don’t have to re-coat them yearly like you do with timber decking.
I would be interested to hear from those who actually have it or have installed it as to your opinion. Most samples I have are 23mm thick so I have to decide before building the frame. Longevity, wear/scratches, slipperiness, installation, etc
Also opinions on the the solid vs the capped types.
Thanks

If it is going to get summer sun for any length of time ( faces north?) it will expand and contract a fair bit, also how do you like your feet done, rare, medium rare or well done, nigh impossible to walk on in bare feet in summer. UV has a long term affect on it too despite what the manufacturer states and the colours fade fairly quickly.
In summer they sag between the joists (3mm to 5mm), winter very minimal.
Easy to keep clean, mild detergent and soft broom then hose off.
All the above is based on my observations of it and personally, I wouldn't use it.

If you're going to use composite decking and you want to run it along the 6.5 metre length you'd need a control joint in the middle due to its propensity to 'grow' in length. Like Ray I'm not a big fan.

Originally Posted by rwbuild

If it is going to get summer sun for any length of time ( faces north?) it will expand and contract a fair bit, also how do you like your feet done, rare, medium rare or well done, nigh impossible to walk on in bare feet in summer. UV has a long term affect on it too despite what the manufacturer states and the colours fade fairly quickly.
In summer they sag between the joists (3mm to 5mm), winter very minimal.
Easy to keep clean, mild detergent and soft broom then hose off.
All the above is based on my observations of it and personally, I wouldn't use it.

+1 what he says, neighbor has 10mtr run and it grows as the sun comes up and shrinks as the sun goes down

Thanks all.
Mine faces east and is under a pergola roofed with tinted SunTuff which goes out 1.5m past where the edge of the deck will be.
It may get direct early sun in summer on the front of it but only for a very short time. If I run it the way I am thinking, the longest run will be 3.5m. If I run it the other way (6.3m) it will have to have a divide in the centre as the longest length in most is 5.4m.
Must admit, I’m not a fan but I need to look at options.

Don’t use composite boards, theyre crap.
absorb heat like a sponge takes water, they buckle incredibly, and they are extremely slippery. The only thing I would ever recommend or use them for is vertical screening. Merbau or spotted gum, the maintenance is nothing.

Which is better or are they much of a muchness. Blackbutt or Spotted Gum?

Spotted gum by a mile

I was speaking to a relative in Melbourne whose husband is a developer/builder. He mentioned that he has used aluminium subframe for decks and it was easy to assemble, strong and light.

ClickDeck Framing Productsn

it’s about $400 dearer than building with 190x45 H3 timber (including screws, hangers, freight etc), but price includes all fittings etc and includes adjustable posts which hasn’t been taken into account re the timber built price so the price difference becomes closer.
Has anyone used aluminium or has thoughts re it’s use?