How to build a low-level deck?

[IronStan001]

I have an alfresco area which I'd like to deck.  The joists (Green lines) will most probably fix straight into the concrete and ideally, I'd like to go 1500mm beyond the concrete (Red line).  I have a storm water pipe (White line) about 800mm out from the concrete.  800mm out from the concrete, the ground is at its lowest point, which is about 200mm lower than the alfresco.  With regards to the footings and bearers, what are my options?

Community manager's note: Check out How to build a low-level deck for expert advice.

[IronStan001]

So just a clean and scrub is enough?  I wouldn't need any sanding?

Would I do 1 coat?  Or stick with 2?

I do know when I oiled it the first time, I might have stretched how far I got out of the tin.  So the 2nd coat might not have been as generous as what I wanted.

[JacobZ]

Hi @IronStan001,

Just a scrub and clean are fine. There is nothing that indicates you need to sand your deck.

1 coat should be enough. You can always add another later if you need more.

Once you've applied your maintenance coat, don't forget to upload some photos. It would be great to see the results.

Jacob

[IronStan001]

One coat on top without being to stingy on the application it is. 👍

[IronStan001]

I've finally gotten around to giving the deck a pre-oil clean, now I'm just waiting for it to dry.  Considering my deck is just shy of 12 months old, I have a 4L tin of Integrain UltraDeck ready to go for the maintenance coat.

So, here's a question: Would a generous application of a single maintenance coat be considered the equivalent of 2 coats on new, bare timber?

[JacobZ]

Hi @IronStan001,

A single maintenance coat, after a good clean, will be like a second coat on new timber. This is because the original oil from your first coat will still be present inside the timber, but the surface oil will have worn over time.

Ultimately, the quality of the finish depends on what state the timber is in. If it still looks fairly similar to how it did in January, you should be fine with one generous maintenance coat.

I'm excited to see how it comes up. I imagine it will look fantastic.

Jacob

[IronStan001]

Yeah, I'm kind of going of how it's currently drying to figure out how much oil there is from 12 months ago.

 

Top photo is the boards that have taken most of the weather, bottom photo, not so much.

[JacobZ]

Hi @IronStan001,

I'd just give it one good coat, allow it to dry and then reassess.

It's hard to say from photos, but one will likely be enough.

If you aren't happy with the results, you can always add a second coat.

Let me know how you go.

Jacob

[IronStan001]

That's what I was thinking.  Drop the first coat down, see what it looks like.  If I need another, I can zip out and grab another 4L tin whilst the 1st coat is drying.

[IronStan001]

It's actually amazing how much oil soaks into bare timber.  My first 2 coats after laying the deck consumed the entire 4L, so much so, I really had to squeeze every last drop out of the brush to make it to the end of the 2nd coat.

This time, I think I've used just over 1L for the maintenance coat, and I was soaking the brush and being pretty liberal with its application.

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @IronStan001,

It can be a bit of a shock, but when you consider the volume of timber and the way the oil soaks between the wood fibres, it makes sense that a decent amount of oil is necessary.

Ultimately, your deck looks fantastic and I'm sure it will serve you well for a year or two until you need another maintenance coat.

I'm sure the experience of the first few years will prepare you for the next time you have to oil your deck.

Thank you for sharing

Jacob