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Low-level decking suggestions

Hi,

I am looking at building a low level deck that comes off the back doors.

The length is 3.7 metres wide by 11.3metres long (running the length of the house). Any recommendations on what the specs shoud be?

I really appreciate suggestions as am new to this.

Thanks, Simon

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Comments

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @simontho. It's great to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about building a deck.

The best plan of attack would be to start putting a plan together based on the many decks contributed by our members. This How to build a low-level deck guide from @Adam_W is also an excellent resource. Check out our Top 10 most popular deck projects and Inspiring low-level deck builds for some ideas.

Once you have an idea of how to build a deck, you can start working out its specifications. A general rule is that the decking boards need to be supported and nailed off every 450mm. Those supports can only span a certain distance depending on their size before they need to be supported/fixed to the ground.

You might like to show us some images of the area and a sketch of your proposed deck. Our knowledgeable members can then point out any obstacles you might run into and provide advice and suggestions on your project.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

simontho

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/16750#Comment_16750

Hi Mitchell,

Thank you for the information, it certainly is in line with a low-level deck.

I am looking at 140mm boards running away from the house. Please find attached exel worksheet, the deck is not coloured (white).

There are 2 areas, which join.

Area 1, the biggest it is 3.7 metres x 11.3 metres

Area 2 (photo attached, the exel square represent 100mm x 100mm) is 3.5 x 2.1

Many Thanks, Simon Deck 1.PNG Deck 2.PNG

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/70978#Comment_70978

Many thanks for that additional info and images @simontho.

What details on the specifications are you looking for? I'd be more than happy to answer any questions that you have. Perhaps we could start with how high the deck will be. What's the working height between the substrate to your door sills? That will give me an idea of what timber you can use for the frame.

Unfortunately, I can't see a lot of the text in your images as the resolution isn't great enough. What's the relevance of the complex boxes/framing surrounding the blue area?

Mitchell

simontho

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/98694#Comment_98694

Hi Mitchell,

Sorry the boxes around the blue area are tiles, this was purely for my purposes when I was designing outdoor area.

From the substrate to the door sills is 200mm

Thanks, Simon

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116109#Comment_116109

@simontho,

Once you remove the thickness of your decking timber from the working height, you'll have 181mm left. You could construct the deck's frame and joists with Treated Pine Outdoor Timber Framing 140 x 45mm fixed directly into the substrate with angled brackets. That will leave you with 40mm under the frame for airflow and drainage. Alternatively, you could use Treated Pine Outdoor Timber Framing 90 x 45mm raised on Builders Edge 70 - 170mm Bigfoot Xl Pedestal Feet. That would give you 91mm for airflow and drainage.

What will you be building these decks upon?

Mitchell

simontho

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126050#Comment_126050

Hi Mitchell,

I was planning on using wooden stumps

Thanks, Simon

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132695#Comment_132695

I'm keen to hear what questions you have so I can further assist with your project @simontho.

If you've decided on using wooden stumps, did you need information on how far apart you'll be spacing your joists and, therefore, stumps? Generally, you'd keep these around the 450mm mark as decking boards can get a bit springy after that. Depending on what size joist you decide to go with will affect how often they need to be supported by stumps. The 140 x 45mm timber can span further than the 90 x 45mm timber.

If you're looking for a way to plan out the entire deck structure without adding it to your design, there are a bunch of decking calculators out there which can assist you with this. Most will just need you to input the deck's dimensions, and they'll show you where the stumps and joists should be positioned.

Mitchell

simontho

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136774#Comment_136774

Hi Mitchell,

Any design layouts would really help, especially the distance between bearers, joists and stumps would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Simon

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139569#Comment_139569

Hi @simontho,

You'd need to decide what timber you are using for the joists before I could help you further. All joists and stump distances are based on the size of timber you are using for the frame. It's then a matter of working out what lengths your timber is capable of spanning. As mentioned previously, a great place to start working out your plan would be by looking through the many deck projects our members have contributed and using similar specifications to them. Alternatively, you can reference the Building Code of Australia or employ the services of an engineer to put some plans together for you.

Once you decide on your joist timber, you'll space them at 450mm centres across your area. Depending on the dimensions of the joists, you'll need to support them at appropriate increments along their length. That could be every metre or so.

Mitchell

simontho

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141471#Comment_141471

Hi mitchell,

I was thinking of using 140 x 70mm for bearers.

Thanks, Simon

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142898#Comment_142898

There are no bearers in a single level deck @simontho, and I think you'll struggle to create a traditional joist over bearers deck in the 200mm you have to work within. In a traditional deck, the bearers are supported by the stumps, and then they bear the weight of the joists and decking placed on top. This style of construction is usually used on elevated decks and not on low-level structures. This is because there is not enough room even to consider that approach.

If you intended to create a single level deck, I haven't heard of anyone using 140 x 70mm timber for their joists before. Even 140 x 45mm would be considered more than adequate in most cases. Were you wanting to span very long lengths without stumps for support?

Mitchell

simontho

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143897#Comment_143897

Hi Mitchell,

Am more than happy to use 140 x 45mm, as you can see I am a beginner at this. What would you recommend be the distance between stumps and joists.

Thanks, Simon

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144671#Comment_144671

If you're using 140 x 45mm for your joists, then you'll be relatively safe spacing the stumps every 1500mm along their length @simontho. You can make that spacing larger, minimising the amount of stumps you'd need, but you'll have to reference timber span tables to find a distance you're comfortable with. Personally, I'm comfortable with 1500mm as it is well within the spanning capabilities of 140 x 45mm timber. The joists which I have pictured with blue lines in the image on the previous page would be spaced around 450mm apart.

Mitchell

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