Low level deck

Hi @Harv,

Great project! I'm sure community members will be able to provide some advice along the way.

In the meantime, here are some previous discussions you might be interested in:

Outdoor kitchen and entertainment area - @raymao268 is also building the decking very close to the ground

Finished our timber-free deck - @Adam_W just finished his deck and might be able to offer some tips for your construction

Send me your deck pics - @maknilsin also just finished a decking project.

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to Workshop. I'm sure our community member posts will be the source of helpful information and inspiration. Feel free to post anytime you need a hand or have a project to share.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/3690#Comment_3690

@HarvUnfortunately, you haven't provided enough details for the information you are requesting on structural supports. .
Other things that need to be considered:
Deck Height?
Will it have a roof?
Do you require Building Plans & Council approval?
Floor Loading certification, etc,etc
BTW.There are many other websites that have span tables that are misused.
OT if you want structural support (excuse the pun) @Jason the requests have to be in a typical format, which safeguards all parties and helps others.
Rather than "send me your pics" which doesn't span the distance (he,he,he)
Goodluck

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/64045#Comment_64045

The deck height is from .5 of a mt to .3 mt the other end there will be no roof structure at all just the deck and doesn’t require council approval,and be using 90x25 mm decking

raymao268

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94578#Comment_94578

Hi Harv, as Jason mentioned, I am also in the process of building mine. Looks like my deck is a lot closer to the ground than yours. Love to share any experience with you if needed. What size of joist are you using?

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113713#Comment_113713

@Harv
Thanks for the addition information, what centres are your joists at to support your 90 x25mm decking 300, 450mm or 600mm?

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124479#Comment_124479

450 centers using 140x45 h3 treatment pine

Thanks for your reply

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113713#Comment_113713

140x45 @450mm centers hope it helps you

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124480#Comment_124480

@Harv

Thanks for the info.. hope this helps others

Engineering Decking.jpg

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131702#Comment_131702

Thanks for the plan that's my deck layout, but I only have single 140x45 bearers do I need to double up and have two bolted together, plus my joists will be flush using joist hangers
Thanks again for the plan

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136108#Comment_136108

@Harv
Bearers as shown bolted or nailed together
Joists can be flush with bearers using Joist Straps

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139112#Comment_139112

My bearers are only single beam I need to double them looking at your drawing

Thanks again for your help

Adam_W

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136108#Comment_136108

Hey @Harv,
You mentioned a couple of times that it's close to the ground. What sort of clearance do you have?
I just ask as you need to be mindful of termites & rot even with treated timbers.

Gezza87

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136108#Comment_136108

I'm looking at a similar size deck what should be used for stumps? TIA

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139113#Comment_139113

Only 50mm in one spot that's been my problem all long I should of excavated it before I started

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139114#Comment_139114

I used gal stirips because timber there was no enough height for timber stumps

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139114#Comment_139114

@Gezza87,

In the Bunnings series of D.I.Y. advice videos about how to build a deck, they use concrete stumps. You'll be most interested in the section on how to install bearers and stumps. I will embed the video below. Hope its helpful to you.

Jason

raymao268

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131702#Comment_131702

Thanks for sharing this plan, a friend of mine is also planning a deck, he can totally use this plan.

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131702#Comment_131702

One last question my bearers are single 140x45 looking at the drawings I need to double them up USING 2 together I'm taking it one by itself is not strong enough for the 1.8.mt span

Thanks again so much

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136110#Comment_136110

@Harv
Quick Eplanation HTH

Engineering Decking1.jpg
@raymao268
Your welcome, Actually its a 3D BIM Model

I also have It linked to Google sheets, my Planning schedule, Labour Rate/Times and Bunnings Price list Databases

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139116#Comment_139116

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141147#Comment_141147

I added some pics of my deck in progress hope it helps others with a few ideas or improvements I could make for next time

Thanks

Harv

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142671#Comment_142671

Great, thanks for sharing @Harv. Looking forward to the next update.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143744#Comment_143744

Hi @Gezza87 & @raymao268
I've put up some more information regarding Stump sizes and Deck Plan/Model here

DIY Timber Deck hth

Gezza87

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144558#Comment_144558

Hi thanks @BIM_Engineer that is awesome and very usefull when i finally get around to my decking i will definatly be using that as a guide. Thanks

Johnny

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131702#Comment_131702

Hi guys

I'm curious as to how deep in the ground the posts should be and how much concrete should be either side of the post itself. I'm rebuilding a deck that was once around a swimming pool. Deck is approx 8 inches above ground

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136172#Comment_136172

Hi @Johnny,

Welcome to Workshop and thanks for joining in the discussion. I hope our members provide lots of useful advice and inspiration for your projects.

Let me tag @BIM_Engineer for you so he is alerted to your question about your deck construction.

Thanks,

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136172#Comment_136172

Hi @Johnny
Thanks for the photo
Try attaching Stirrups direcly to the Bearers

cast into Concrete pad hth

Engineering Decking Stirrup.jpg

Johnny

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139161#Comment_139161

@Jason Thanks very much mate

@BIM_Engineer thanks for the advice, much appreciated. As I haven’t done any concreting like this before can I go one further and ask the approx depth and width of the pad? Also, the positioning of this particular stump as you can see from the pic will be where the pool used to be until recently. The soul was compacted but I’m wondering if a deeper hole/concrete will be needed for the bearer support pad as soil may not be as firm due to only recently being put in?

Also, what is the best concrete to use as the pad?

sorry, hopefully that all makes sense