Hartwell & Company Ltd - Decking and Fixings

Decking and Fixings

Accessories

Construction Guide

Decking Construction Guide

Level the site

Mark out the area to be occupied by your deck. If the site chosen is lawned, it is recommended that the turfs are removed. If your site is on bare earth you can prevent the growth of weeds under the decking by covering the ground with a suitable weed-proof membrane and then perhaps gravel or shingle.

Create the frame

(A) Cut the outside joists to length to make the required size deck.
(B) Mark the position of the support joists at 450mm centres and at 90 degrees to the direction of the decking boards.
(C) Cut the support joists to length.
(D) Assemble the frame using 3 x 100mm Timberlok screws, galvanised nails or other suitable fixings per joint.
It is important that the frame is well supported to avoid the structure flexing or sinking into
soft ground.

Fixing the decking boards

Cut your deck boards to the required length, place the first board flush with the face of the joist at the front of the deck and secure with deckscrews. Fix the remaining boards in the same way leaving a suitable and constant gap between each board.

Installation on a sloping site

If your chosen site is not level or on a slope, then the decking should be supported on posts, set in concrete, and attached to the decking frame by double joists with bolts or coach screws.

Fitting railings to your deck

The safety and appearence of your deck can be enhanced by railings. Fix the posts for the railings, these can be a continuation of the support posts for a raised deck, or a deck on a sloping site, or can be bolted to the front and sides of a flat deck.

Cut the posts to the required height. Handrails and bottom rails should be cut next, and the spindles cut to size and fixed between the handrail and bottom rail with a maximum gap of 100mm between each spindle. Fix the complete assembly between the posts and repeat for other sections as required.

This information is given purely as a guide to installing decking. We do not accept any responsibility for unsafe installations of decking. Should you have any doubts about installation please consult a qualified decking installer.