How To Lay Decking? – Complete Guide

The garden is a one-of-a-kind feature of your house, a tiny piece of nature created and maintained by you and your sense of design. What better way to enjoy this outside oasis than on a beautiful deck? We’ll go over everything you need to know about decking installation and everything you’ll need to complete the process from start to end. Garden decking is a popular addition to many outdoor living areas.

Decking may help restore life to your old, gloomy, and drab outdoor space by offering a dynamic and exciting location for family and friends, so it’s no surprise that the design trend is only growing. Try laying the decking yourself if you’re thinking about a decking makeover but want to keep costs down.

This has many benefits; first, you do not have to pay a professional. Professionals are highly costly, particularly on an hourly basis. An ample decking might take a weekend or more to complete.

It may seem to be a significant undertaking. Still, with a bit of planning and preparation, you’ll be ready to begin installing the decking and creating the ideal area to appreciate everything your yard offers.

How To Lay Decking? – Complete Guide

Allow Plenty of Time

Like many others, the time it takes to accomplish this job depends on you and the decking. Furthermore, as you would think, smaller decks complete faster than bigger ones!

We’ll offer you some approximate estimations later on but don’t be concern whether you’re faster or slower than them. The essential thing is to be safe and go at your speed.

What You Will Require?

It’s true what they say: Plan to fail and fail to plan. With this in mind, you must have the correct equipment for the task before putting down decking.

The Following Are the Tools You Will Require

• Emotional state
• String and pegs
• Drill with a hammer
• Various screwdrivers
• Drill bits for wood
• Saw, Circular
• Hammer (club)
• Tape ruler
• A spade
• Wood stain and varnish brush
• Safety gear: goggles and gloves

Step 1: Make A Plan

Before putting down your new decking, make a rough outline of the space and ensure you have enough decking to cover your new patio area. It would be beneficial if you also put the wood pieces to see whether the layout fits with the rest of your landscape.

Once you’re satisfied, mark where your new decking will go and ensure there aren’t any impediments like maintenance hole covers, door openings, or trees in the way.

All Decking Must Run in Line with The House

Many individuals are unaware that to comply with building standards, the top of the decking must run parallel to the house and be at least 15cm below the damp proof course (DPC). If you’re unsure where the DPC is, look down low for where the masonry wall meets the foundation.

Step 2: Measure Up In

It is one of the most pivotal parts of deck building. Precise estimations are fundamental for the best outcomes.

Using your blueprint, measure your decking in square meters to establish how many packs of decking planks you’ll need. Of course, if you’re uncertain, take the blueprint to any DIY (Do It Yourself) store, and they’ll help you figure out what you’ll need.

Step 3: Prepare the Ground In

The next step is to begin prepping the ground. Mark the area with pegs and twine, then remove any lawn or plants. Firm the dirt down and drape decking fabric over the area to prevent weeds from growing through, pegging the material down or using concrete or paving slabs to hold it down in place.

Because a solid concrete base must support the decking structure, concrete slabs are better. To hold the decking boards in place, lay down slabs in a grid pattern approximately 15cm apart to support the joists.

Step 4: Create the Framework

Now is the time to begin constructing the exterior structure of your new decking area, which will be supported by concrete slabs and comprised of 15cm high by 5cm wide joists. Use 100mm rustproof screws and external wood glue to assemble it. Fill the frame with 400mm joists placed at right angles to the edge and screw them in place.

Step 5: Fix the Decking Boards

The decking planks must then be attached. Install four to six boards at a time, fastening the ends and the frame first, then working your way down the middle. To guarantee that the decking is aired and allows for wood expansion in warm and rainy weather, space the boards out by five millimetres (or the width of a fastening screw).

Step 6: Completion

Decking arrives in a scope of varieties and completions. It will, however, wear and tear with time, just like any other exterior part like laying a patio. Treating your decking with paint to preserve it is a terrific method to improve its visual appeal and guarantee that it lasts as long as possible.

Maintenance

Each spring, make a concerted effort to inspect the boards and fittings and repair or replace any loose or splintered boards. It would help if you also used a deck cleaning solution to remove any algae, moss, or grime once a year.

Finally, while installing new decking, be sure you properly dispose of any offcuts or decking planks. Under no circumstances should you burn any offcuts since they contain preservatives and chemicals that emit dangerous poisons.

Conclusion

With the arrival of the summer months, now is the ideal time to freshen up your garden, finish all of those DIY projects like artificial grass that have been on your to-do list for as long as you can remember, and enjoy your garden. Installing new decking is an excellent method to improve the functioning of your yard.

Decking is a perfect addition to any outdoor area, creating an ideal location for al fresco dining and lazy days in the sun. You’ve come to the correct spot if you’re considering decking this summer! We’ve produced a handy guide detailing all you need to know above.