How to attach Ekodeck onto concrete sleeper retaining wall?

Hi community,

Would need some advice on covering our concrete sleeper retaining wall at the front of the house please

We have already purchased ecodeck decking boards to cover them but need to know we are doing the right thing before we start.

I understand that we need to fix timber onto the steel post and then affix the ecodeck as you would normally do and same as the capping. Below are my questions pls

1) What type of screws should I use to fix timber onto steel post ? Do I also need to glue the timber as well ?

2) Sleepers are 2m wide and the wall is 600mm height , so we are thinking of 2 treated pine timber one on the top and one somewhere in the middle https://www.bunnings.com.au/70-x-35mm-outdoor-framing-h3-treated-pine-2-4m_p8032103

3) How to fix the capping ? Steel post is 100mm wide and sleeper thickness is 80mm if that helps

Appreciate your help

Thanks ! Screenshot 2024-09-24 095827.png

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Comments

Dave-1

Good afternoon @DIYHome

Having a think about what you want to do I would actually be tempted to not fasten to the steal posts of the concrete sleeps. mainly because you cant get a bolt through them and I dont know if the sleeper would stand up to be drilled so close to the end of it.

If you put in three posts that butt up against your 2m concrete sleepers then you will be able to attach your composite decking to them. For the capping id actally go a little wide so the look of your post would be straight up, over and then down a little. Like a large square hook. The hook over the top will hold the post in place at the top, the capping and inside skirt will give it ridgility.

This way you ar not changing the way the concrete sleeps are supported, you are just dressing around them.

Dave

EricL

Hello @DIYHome

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about attaching Ekodeck to your retaining wall.

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @Dave-1. I was thinking about Dave-1's explanation of creating a large hook that would go over the sleeper. It can be done with the 70x35, and I propose using Selleys 350g Liquid Nails Heavy Duty to glue the frame to the concrete sleepers. I've drawn a sample image below to give you an idea of what Dave-1 I believe is proposing.

Please have a good look and let us know if it this design is acceptable to you.

If you wish to modify the setup, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/42525#Comment_42525

🙂 @DIYHome and @EricL

Yep, got it in one! Nice work 🙂

Dave

DIYHome

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/42525#Comment_42525

Hi @Dave-1 & @EricL

Thank you so much for you time and the detailed explanation.

Apologies for not being clear with my question, we want the 70*35 timber to go horizontally and the final look of the ecodeck boards to be vertical.

So we will not be able to glue the timber to the concrete sleeper as it is not flushed with the steel post.

So we need to somehow screw the timber battens on to steel post horizontally and then fix the ecodeck

Hope there is a solution to this ?

Thankyou

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/83381#Comment_83381

Afternoon @DIYHome

Any chance of some close-up photos, looking down on the retaining posts - just to see what gaps there are and what dimensions are available?

I was thinking along the line of drilling - then tapping threads for bolts...

You wouldn't need much.

Cheers.

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/83381#Comment_83381

Afternoon @DIYHome

Mmmmm First up I hesitate drilling into the gal posts, there is no room to screw bolt anything between the steel and the concrete and I dont trust the sleeper to not fracture as you try and drill through it. They look like a very tight fit.

I would still go for the "Hook" option over the concrete and then have your 35*70mm timbers laid horizontal between the hooks, i would still suggest 3 hooks over the 2m. You could then attach your eco deck in vertical pieces. I dont think gluing would work to well.

To save width you could make a "Hook" with a piece of say 3mm flat bar and bend it, tho that would be difficult to keep all the hooks the same.

Dave

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/83381#Comment_83381

Hi @DIYHome

It appears that @Dave-1 has gotten ahead of me this time. I was going to suggest adding rails to the timber hook technique which would allow you to install the panels vertically. I've placed a sample image below to give you an idea of how it can be done. The timber hook technically can be placed right next to the steel post with additional small rails that will allow you to place the horizontal panels over the steel post in order to hide it.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

DIYHome

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/106587#Comment_106587

Hi @Noyade more pics attached as requested and thank you for the reply

DIYHome

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/106591#Comment_106591

Thank you @EricL and @Dave-1

So should I use liquid nails in order to attached the timber framing to the concrete sleeper ?

Apologies for too many questions completely a newbie trying to pretty up the retaining wall

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/120491#Comment_120491

Hello @DIYHome

That is perfectly alright, you can ask as many questions as you like. It's always best to do a test fit with the timber to make sure that it lies flat on the concrete sleepers. If does lie flat, then I recommend using Selleys 290ml Liquid Nails Instant Hold Construction Adhesive. Make sure to be generous on its application so that it will not lift off the concrete.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129064#Comment_129064

Afternoon @DIYHome

Never too many questions 🙂 We all have them and just remember you will be asking for other people that may be a little shy that dont know either 🙂

Dave

Matt89

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/106591#Comment_106591

Such a great idea,

Total beginner here. What size timber (thickness) for the frame would you recommend and screws?

Would it be best to use H4 timber?

Thanks!

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/122204#Comment_122204

Hello @Matt89

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us.

The original suggestion was to use 70 x 35mm Outdoor Framing H3 Treated Pine - 2.4m and I still suggest using it as there is no direct soil contact. To screw the timber together, I suggest using Zenith 10 - 8 x 75mm Treated Pine Countersunk Head Screws - 50 Pack. My best advice is to drill pilot holes to prevent splitting the wood. As for the decking panels, I suggest looking at Simpson Strong-Tie 12G (5.5mm) x 50mm 316 Stainless Steel DHSD No-PreDrill Hardwood To Softwood Decking Screws - 250 Pack.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Matt89

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/130198#Comment_130198

Thank you for your reply,

Apologies, I should have mentioned i'm planning to use the Ekodeck Castellated panels if they work for this frame. Love the design.

My question is would the screws for these panels be suitable for the timber measurements you mentioned?

Not too sure if they're provided or need to purchase separately?

Thank you,

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/135191#Comment_135191

Hello @Matt89

Thank you for the clarification. Depending on the panel you'll be using and in which direction you'll be setting up the timber frame, just keep in mind that the tall side is 70mm and the short side is 30mm. If the castellated panels are 20mm thick, then a 50mm screw should work just fine as it will not go past the thickness of the timber. Will the decking screws suggested work on these panels? Yes! Just keep an eye on the thickness of the panels.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Ed_sh

@DIYHome any chance you can share the phots from finished job? This si a great idea and I want to do the same.. wanted to see how does it look in action.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/59541#Comment_59541

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Ed_sh.

It's great to have you join us, and hopefully, @DIYHome has completed their project and can share the results with us.

We look forward to hearing all about your project and would encourage you to reach out anytime you need assistance or have something to share with the community.

Mitchell

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