Dundonald wrote:
On May 6, 7:28 am, "The Medway Handyman"
wrote:
Dundonaldwrote:
Hi,
Just about to start adeckingproject in my garden. I haven't built
deckingbefore, but I have spent some time planning my build out so
I'm pretty much set. One question though. I've built good strong
fences before and instead of concreting in the fence posts I have
used metal spikes. I am wondering if something like this
http://tinyurl.com/djf3l8can be used to hold the posts that will
support the raiseddecking
instead of concreting in?
No. First of all they are unecessary, secondly they can twist if
they hit stoney ground, and thirdly they could well sink.
I don't know if your deck is freestanding or attached to a building,
but in either case the only reason to concrete in posts is to keep
the deck 'square'. If you don't achieve that, then boarding it will
be a big problem.
The support for the joists is achieved either by a cross beam or by
using padstones to support them.
How 'raised' is yourdecking?
I've built sh*t loads of decks. Happy to give any advise I can.
Hi Dave sorry for delay (been away with no access to computer). The
decking I have planned is raised about 4 ft. It's about 9 x 8 ft.
Two lengths of the decking will be secured to the house exterior down
one length and the conservatory exterior down another length (all
above the DPC at roughly interior floor level). The joists at those
ends will hang off of the 2 x 4 screwed to the walls.
4 x 2 will need support every 6' of span to avoid bounce (assuming joists at
18" spacing) If you went up to 6 x 2 they can go 10' without support. More
timber granted, but less support.
So I guess the
decking will remain squared. But this still leaves a corner and
sufficent support inbetween that corner and respective corners against
the wall. So my plan was/is to support by either spike or concrete
posts. The post can't simply rest on the earth surely?
I use wooden posts supported by concrete blocks or slabs or concrete in post
supports
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Post-Accesso...rt/invt/540561
They all keep the posts off the earth. I'd be inclined to use a concrete in
post support at the corner & slabs/blocks elsewhere as required.
--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk