How To Lay Decking

It’s Saturday evening, and you’re grilling chicken in the backyard and having a good time with your friends and family.

If this is the perfect weekend, you should add a deck to your space. Decks are a great way to increase the resale value of your property. Also, they add beauty to the outdoor area of your home.

And honestly, nothing can beat the satisfaction of building a deck yourself. The good news is that you can even save a thousand dollars by installing it yourself.

However, we understand most homeowners’ challenges while laying decking in their gardens. Hence, we decided to curate this short guide on laying decking just for you. You can build the brand-new deck of your dreams with proper planning, the right tools, products, and the correct information.

So, let’s get started!

How To Lay Decking

1. Get Your Toolkit

Decks are the perfect addition to the backyard of any home. While laying decking, having the correct tools by your side is essential. It will ease your task and let you apply the decking in a breeze. That’s why you first must get your hands on the correct toolkit to ensure a smooth deck installation.

However, the tools you should use depend on the type of decking boards. If you opt for a timber deck, you need not worry much about the tools. A standard toolkit with countersink tools, pre-drill bits and decking screws is enough to complete the job.

That said, we suggest you get a power or circular saw to cut the deck boards and a drilling machine to fix the boards. In addition, you must also have a spirit level, measuring tape and twine for arranging the deck boards. And ensure you are cutting on a flat surface.

2. Choose The Right Decking Material

Navigating through the plethora of decking materials on the market and choosing one from among them is challenging. Thus, we recommend you choose between timber decking and composite decking boards.

Going for composite decking is your best bet if durability tops your list. Also, it is available in various colours, sizes and finishes so you can choose according to your needs. However, it is slightly expensive. But rest assured, it will last for years without any maintenance.

Interestingly, it is safe for pets and kids and easy to install. So, this one’s worth the extra bucks.

But if you’re on a budget, timber boards would be the perfect pick for your backyard. However, keep in mind that this one isn’t low-maintenance. So, we suggest you pick decking materials after considering your budget and needs.

3. Measure The Site Accurately

While laying out a deck, accuracy is vital. Of course, you wouldn’t want all your efforts to go in vain because of wrong measurements. That’s why accurate measurements are essential.

Doing this will save you time, money and the last-minute rush to the local store. On that note, do not forget to double-check the length and width of the area where you’ll be laying the deck.

Once done, you can start working with deck boards and cut them accordingly. Cut the boards only when you need them in short lengths to be on the safe side, as this will save you from all the extra effort.

4. Lay The First Board

It’s time to lay the first deck board. Keep in mind that decking boards should lay straight. So, when applying the first board, ensure it is straight because the rest depends on its shape.

To ensure the board is straight, use a spirit level to align the string line with the outer edge of the decking frame.

5. Secure It To The Joists

Once the deck board is straight, secure it to the joists. Depending on your chosen fastener, you can fix the deck from the top or the sides.

No matter how you fix the deck, the main goal is fixing them to the joists’ centre. This will ensure that your deck is safe and secure. To enhance the aesthetic appeal of the deck, you can keep the exposed fasteners straight.

6. Repeat To Cover The Entire Framework

Once you’ve secured the first board successfully, similarly secure the rest to cover the entire framework. Remember to leave 3 to 6 mm gaps between each board for expansion.

However, you must ensure that the gap between the boards is even. For this, you can use wedges or spacers. But, if you’re running late or looking for an alternative, you can hammer a spike into the joist.

Alternatively, check that the boards meet over a joist if you use multiple boards for a large deck. Also, make sure you stagger these joints.

Here’s a pro tip for beginners- lay the deck boards in small batches for easy adjustments. Also, do not forget to use a string line and spirit level to check whether the decking board is straight.

7. Shear The Ends Of The Deck

After you’ve finished laying the deck boards and securing them to the joists, you must shear the ends of the boards that are jutting out. However, leave about 20 mm of deck board over the deck’s structure.

8. Add Finishing Touch

Adding finishing touches is imperative to any DIY project. And so you may waterproof the deck to protect it from heavy downpours.

Also, you can add shade to the exposed portions to relax on the deck in broad daylight. If you want to enhance the appearance of your deck, adding some polish and oiling the deck is a must.

Safety Measures To Take While Decking

Decks are a great way to spruce up your home’s outdoor space. So, whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional deck builder, you must follow safety precautions while working on deck projects. We’ve listed some safety measures you must follow while working on your DIY deck project.

• Be careful while working with power saws and electric drills.
• Put on safety goggles when sawing or working with chemicals.
• Use a dust mask to prevent inhaling small particles.
• Ask for help when moving joists.
• Keep pets and children away from the decking area.

Laying Your New Decking

And that’s our guide on laying boards in the backyard of your home. You will have the deck of your dreams with a few days of hard work and patience. Now, sit back and relax on your newly built deck!

Just make sure you measure the site correctly and follow the instructions step-by-step. Also, invest in premium-quality materials to ensure the longevity of the deck. Remember, decks are one of the most valuable investments you’ll ever make. So, make sure it’s worth it!

However, we suggest you take precautions while working on your deck project. If you are laying your deck on top of the grass, we recommend investing in weed control fabric before laying all the boards and your deck frame.

For help with laying your deck in Sydney, feel free to contact our team.

With that, we’ll be signing off now. But we’ll be back soon with more such interesting reads.

Until next time, take care!