AVS Fencing Blog

You are thinking of building a garden decking this summer and are not quite sure where to start. Simple start here with a guide that will help you through the maize that decking. There is nothing easier so read on. What is a garden deck in its simplest form? A garden deck is a platform covered in timber which can be either at low level, near the ground or high level, raised from the ground. There are no real rules about what you can and cannot do with decking as long as the space is firm and strong to support the deck boards then you will have successful decking.

You certainly don’t need to be a master carpenter to create a great garden deck, create the base for the deck out of timber fence posts and timber joists. Typically the fence posts can be 100x100 in size or slightly larger if the deck is raised off the ground by more than a couple of feet. Timber joists typically 150x47mm and 100x47mm can then be used to form a level framework on which to lay the deck boards. The timber support posts are normally connected with a beam and the timber joists can be fixed to the beam using joist hangers, other timber connections between the timber joists can be done using landscape screws, our carpenters mate range of landscape screws are ideal for this.

The look and feel of the finished deck will be influenced by the type of deck board you choose, two main types of decking boards are available from AVS hardwood and softwood treated. The softwood treated decking boards are available in grooved, reeded and smooth options. The best method to fix the decking boards down onto the timber joists is to use AVS Fencing decking screws which avoid splitting the timber and normally avoid the need for pre-drilling, unlike nails can be removed if the boards need to be lifted for any reason.

I believe building a timber decking is a job that most people who are fairly practical can easily do and will make a great addition to your garden. All of the decking materials are available from AVS Fencing for building your garden decking, the first step to your garden decking would, I suggest be sketching out a plan of the size of decking you want. Mark it out in the area you have allocated for it then you can check ground levels and get a feel for what this would look like when it is completed within your garden.

On a final safety note if your decking is going to be raised off the ground you will also need to consider balustrading or timber hand railing to prevent people falling from your deck.