How to construct a fantastic deck part 1

A deck is a great supplement to any rnhome. Not only does it give you the additional living space but it rncan also be a great focal point withrn your guests and good friends. A real ice breaker or rnconversation starter. If its constructed properly it can also add substantial value to your house. Decking rnisn't suitable for all areas though, especially rnshaded areas. Whenever creating a outdoor patio you should rnalways use pre treated softwood or hardwood. Time to finish job: 2-3 days Approximate budget: Depends on the rnsizing of your outdoor patio. Decking panels and rnjoist ledgers and noggins cost about £10 per 3.6m (12ft), each. What you need:Pegs and string Weed-suppressant membrane Graph pieces of paper and pencil Spade Joists ledger & noggins 47mm x 150mm (2in x 6in) Decking panels 28mm x 145mm (1 1/8in x 5 1/2in) Fine-toothed saw Hammer & screwdriver Screws & nails 6mm (1/4in) spacers Arranging: Draw out the proposed spot and lay out your rnfurniture to see if it's big enough. Pick a location to capture the sun at the rntimes of day when you will want to use the deck - south-westerly facing is typically a good rndecision but also take into account the outlook, whether you rnwill be overlooked, and the current winds. Steer clear of any drains, subterranean pipework and cables. rnCheck to see whether planning permission is required. Sketch a scale plan and calculate the rnproducts you will need. Suggestion: This information rntalks about the construction of a rneasy rectangle-shaped patio rnconnected to the residence, but you might rnlook at covering a deck around the corner of your house, rnnear a tree, or siting it away from the house entirely. Once you have got a rnamazing new deck, you'll have to rnmemorialize with an open-air rnget together. Action 1: Planning the site. Clear away vegetation to plan the rnsite, then draw out the area with pegs and line, making sure it's rnrectangular. Lay a deck cloth over the rnearth to prevent weeds growing up via the deck in rnthe future. The fabric can be pegged or weighed down with rncement, paving slabs or grit. The framework for a patio rnneed to be set onto concrete footings rnrather than right onto the earth. You can rnoften lay down concrete for this or more easily using concrete paving rnslabs. If using slabs, position them in a grid design with rneach slab positioned somewhere around rn1400mm (4ft 7in) from the next - these will support the solid timber joists that hold the rnplanks. Next, lay squares of bitumen DPC membrane over the concrete floor or paving slabs prior to laying the patio timbers. Hint: Use a spirit level to make sure rnthat the deck delicately slopes away from the rnhouse. For every metre of deck there should be a 10mm drop. Action 2: Attaching a ledger to the house. Add a ledger joist to the wall using spacers for venting and drainage. This sets the height for your deck which ought rnto be at minimum 150mm (6in) below the moist proof course (DPC). Fix strongly as the ledger is load-bearing - the perfect approach will range in accordance to your property's structure so seek rnguidance. Builders in GloucestershirernSuite B 21 The Plantation, Hardwicke, Gloucester GL2 4SP 0845 094 8278 http://www.builders-in-gloucestershire.co.uk/