🖼️
The project:
When quotes of more than $15,000 put this project firmly in the "maybe one day" basket, I decided to tackle it myself. As a DIY homeowner not a professional builder, I wanted to prove that a dramatic outdoor transformation could be achieved with planning, patience and the right tools. Over several weekends I transformed an unused concrete area beside our pool into a timber deck, custom outdoor kitchen and entertaining space, completing the entire project including BBQ and furniture for just over $8,000. The result is a tropical poolside retreat that has become the most-used space in our home.
- Materials:
- Dunnings 65 x 130 x 65 x 5mm M12 Galvanised Angle Bracket
- Ramset 10 x 60mm Galvanised AnkaScrew Masonry Anchor
- Ramset 10 x 75mm DynaBolt Plus Hex Nut Bolt
- ZENITH M8 x 60mm Hot Dip Galvanised Cup Head Bolts And Nuts
- Bremick Decking Screw 10g x 50mm SPIRAL RIB T25 SS304 -500 Pack
- Pryda Joist Hanger - To Suit 45 x 90mm
- Protectadeck 45mm x 50m Flexible PVC
- VEVOR BBQ 889x610 mm Double Outdoor Kitchen Door
- James Hardie 2.88m² Villaboard Lining - 2400 x 1200 x 6mm
- Gyprock CSR 2400 x 1200 x 10mm 2.88sqm Supaceil™ Plasterboard RE
- Jack 1800 x 900mm Oxy-Shield Spiral Screen Panel
- Dulux 15L Weathershield Exterior Paint (tinted White Duck Half)
- Cabot's 1L Deck Clean - 1L
- Cabots 4L Aquadeck Natural Exterior Decking Oil
- Dunlop 800g Magellan Grey Ready-To-Go Coloured Grout
- Assorted timber screws (8g x 50mm, 10g x 75mm galvanised external)
- Grey tiles 600 x 600mm and 600 x 300mm (Facebook Marketplace)
- Weber Built-in Q + Premium Gas Barbecue Q3600N+
- Mimosa Santo 3 Seater Timber Lounge with Cushion
- Mimosa Santo Rectangular Timber Coffee Table
- Tools:
- Step 1:
I measured the area and developed a basic layout and decided on creating separate cooking and relaxation areas. I cleaned and prepared the existing concrete surface and marked out deck footprint and support locations.
There was an old roller shutter door that was a real eyesore and whilst it was useful, it was rarely used so I thought this space could be better used as a BBQ outdoor kitchen area.
I framed out the opening using 90 x 45mm Outdoor Framing H3 Treated Pine and then started on the deck.
Getting the materials together was key and SpecRite had an awesome free online calculator. I just followed the prompts putting in my measurements and it gave me my basic shopping list for deck boards, fascia boards and fixings. It automatically calculated for 10% wastage which turned out to be pretty close at the end of the job.
I read an article on the Bunnings Workshop on How to Build a Low Level Deck that suggested using deck supports. These were pretty expensive, so I decided to use galvanised angle brackets and cup head bolts and nuts to secure the joists to the concrete path. These would also allow me some adjustment as the surface was cambered away from the building and there was a raised section that served as a ramp from the roller shutter door.
- Step 2:
I attached the ledger boards (these are what the joists hang off) to the house using Ramset 10 x 75mm DynaBolt Plus Hex Nut Bolts and then attached the Pryda joist hangers. It’s important to get the spacing correct which is usually 450mm (centre to centre) for standard decking boards. This ensures that your deck boards aren’t ‘springy’.
Once the joist hangers were in place it was simple to cut and position the joists. I pre-drilled the holes in the concrete for my angle brackets and used my impact driver to fix the Ramset Masonry Anchors.
Initially I was going to finish the deck at the end of the house but decided to run it to the end of the garden and put in a feature wall. The metal screens were super easy to install and gave a really nice earthy feel to the space.
Once all the framing and screen installation was complete, it was time to start laying the boards.
- Step 3:
Setting out the boards was really straight forward and watching the deck come together was very satisfying. I laid Protectadeck Flexible PVC on top of each joist for weather protection before fixing the boards. I picked out the longest and straightest boards for the front of the deck and fixed them in place using the Bremick Decking Screws.
I then worked back towards the house maintaining a consistent 4mm gap between boards with my spacers. The size of the gap depends on how you want your deck to look and also how many full width boards fit into your space. What you don’t want is to end up with a thin board at the back of your deck so it’s critical to measure. I found this useful deck calculator online that showed you exactly how many boards you would need (front to back) depending on your gap. It also showed you the width of your last board as well as the number of joists required.
It’s important to get a consistent screw placement. There are a few joist templates available like the Titan Install Decking & Joist Template Spacer or you can make a simple jig yourself.
Fixing the boards using screws is time consuming especially when you have almost 2000! Each board must be drilled with a countersink bit and then screwed down. I used my Ryobi drill and Ryobi driver with the clutch set so you get the screw to sit flush with the board. It’s a good idea to sand off any wood burrs as you go.
Once all the boards were down, I finished off by face fixing the 140 x 19mm Merbau fascia boards.
I was really blown away by how good it looked!
- Step 4:
Next up was the BBQ area. The roller shutter door had now been dismantled and I lined the frame with Hardy Villaboard on the outside and Gyproc on the inside.
I built a frame to suit the built-in BBQ following the manufacturers safety instructions and lining it with offcuts from the Villaboard (fireproof) and tiles on the base. I had some deck boards left over so used these to cover the frame keeping the same look as the deck with 4mm gaps.
I installed a double access door to the gas bottle storage area and finished off the top with some tiles I found on Facebook Marketplace. I installed a splashback using some additional tiles also from Facebook Marketplace, finished off around the Villaboard with timber, then filled, grouted, and painted.
- Step 5:
I was delighted with the overall look, the colours and feel all tied in nicely with the garden and the pool area. Now came the crowning glory…the finish.
I gave the deck a good clean using Cabots Deck Clean and then did two coats of Cabots Aquadeck Natural. I read somewhere that with a new deck it’s best to use a natural decking oil initially, and then switch to a tinted one as the deck starts losing some of its natural colour. I used a Deck Brush Applicator (get a wide one it saves time) as it’s much easier and provides a superior finish to the microfibre applicators. It cleans up easily too so you can reuse it over again.
This was an awesome project and I got a huge amount of satisfaction on completion. Like most DIY projects, there are a few things I'd probably do differently if I built it again, but that's part of the learning process. Overall, it was a real success and the whole job including the BBQ, plants and some new outdoor furniture came in just over $8,000 (not including the fuel cost for the many, many trips to Bunnings!
I love a bit of DIY and after this, I’m enthusiastic for the next one. One thing I will say, make sure you get the right tools for the job. It makes all the difference and if you’re savings heaps then you can afford to buy decent equipment that you get to use on your next project.
