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[Markie]

Mrs Markie has had another blonde idea  

Muggins here to do some decking in part of the garden for summer - area of 18ft by 10 ft.

So is it hard or not....she reckons me and Dad can do it in 2-3 days.

God knows what shes been reading - wish she stuck to what she knows  :-/

[Marks DTM Calib]

Pretty easy.....I have done some (dont suppose that surprises anybody here!)

I would get the decking and wood from a reputable timber merchants....the stuff from the DIY sheds is pricey and lower quality....

Use proper decking type screws with two per decking beam to reduce warping.....

[tunnie]

just remember Markie, what MarksDTM says is 'easy' its hard for most of us   Well me anyway!  

Agreed go to Timber place, often specialist places like that are often cheaper.... not sure on the 2-3 days may take a little longer that than. Depends how much preparation is needed.

[jamie]

If you can afford to don't go for the so called "red wood", get a full hardwood.  

Its a lot more expensive, but will be true along its length and last far longer than the cheaper "red wood".  You will have to drill it and use cadmium plate or preferably stainless screws.  (Don't run PVC cables for your deck lights under the hardwood decking without protecting them, the oils in the hard wood react with the plasticises and degrade the insulation, same goes for oak beams (similar effect from polystyrene insulation in old lofts).

If you use the even cheaper "pressure treated pine....belive me this description is a joke, I designed a process control system once for a machine that actually treats the wood so know how its done) it wont last, no matter what you treat it with it will warp, crack and rot.

[Timbuk]

Mrs Markie has had another blonde idea  

Muggins here to do some decking in part of the garden for summer - area of 18ft by 10 ft.

So is it hard or not....she reckons me and Dad can do it in 2-3 days.

God knows what shes been reading - wish she stuck to what she knows  :-/

It's one of my Trades Markie

[Chopsdad]

I love decking - it's proper mans work.  Big bits of wood, huge nails, circular saw, oh yes and it is easy too.  You'll need a nice level base - you can use breeze blocks or paving slabs to lay your joists on.  Then it's just a case of either screwing the boards down (recommended) or hiring a nail gun with ring shank nails (more fun but spoils wood) and treating with a quality sealant (sovereign).

Once you have it planned out, it'll take shape really quickly and will look great.  The only downside you don't see on Groundforce is the washed out look 12m later, or worse - green/black mould.

So when you set the level - make sure you allow a slight run off in the direction of the grooves to give yourself the best finish.

Enjoy  

[Timbuk]

If you can afford to don't go for the so called "red wood", get a full hardwood.  

Its a lot more expensive, but will be true along its length and last far longer than the cheaper "red wood".  You will have to drill it and use cadmium plate or preferably stainless screws.  (Don't run PVC cables for your deck lights under the hardwood decking without protecting them, the oils in the hard wood react with the plasticises and degrade the insulation, same goes for oak beams (similar effect from polystyrene insulation in old lofts).

If you use the even cheaper "pressure treated pine....belive me this description is a joke, I designed a process control system once for a machine that actually treats the wood so know how its done) it wont last, no matter what you treat it with it will warp, crack and rot.

All pressure treated pine should carry a 10 year guarantee, minimum

[TheBoy]

Mrs Markie has had another blonde idea  

Muggins here to do some decking in part of the garden for summer - area of 18ft by 10 ft.

So is it hard or not....she reckons me and Dad can do it in 2-3 days.

God knows what shes been reading - wish she stuck to what she knows  :-/

Not that difficult, much easier than (properly) laying a patio.

[Markie]

Mrs Markie has had another blonde idea  

Muggins here to do some decking in part of the garden for summer - area of 18ft by 10 ft.

So is it hard or not....she reckons me and Dad can do it in 2-3 days.

God knows what shes been reading - wish she stuck to what she knows  :-/

Not that difficult, much easier than (properly) laying a patio.

well i have done a patio before - -and its still standing  

thanks for the input guys - just been out measuring the area and will start to decide on choices of wood soon(ish)

Will go with the dearer wood and longer lasting woods - money is not a problem - well actually it is or i'd hire someone  

[jamie]

If you can afford to don't go for the so called "red wood", get a full hardwood.  

Its a lot more expensive, but will be true along its length and last far longer than the cheaper "red wood".  You will have to drill it and use cadmium plate or preferably stainless screws.  (Don't run PVC cables for your deck lights under the hardwood decking without protecting them, the oils in the hard wood react with the plasticises and degrade the insulation, same goes for oak beams (similar effect from polystyrene insulation in old lofts).

If you use the even cheaper "pressure treated pine....belive me this description is a joke, I designed a process control system once for a machine that actually treats the wood so know how its done) it wont last, no matter what you treat it with it will warp, crack and rot.

All pressure treated pine should carry a 10 year guarantee, minimum

..as long as you don't put it outside, cut, nail, drill or screw it