How can you make your own bench and decking from home?
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DECKING looks great in almost any garden so here are some tips for laying it down and an easy guide to building benches too.
For your decking you must consider whether you want raised or ground level decking.
Raised decking is usually more costly but ground level decking is prone to flooding according to .
BUILDING THE DECK'S FRAMEWORK
Decking looks best when it's laid perpendicular to the building line.
Calculate the number of boards you will need by dividing the width of your space by the width of your boards, plus 5 mm spacing per board. For example, if your decking boards are 150 mm wide, that means allow 155 mm for each board.
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MARK THE FOOTINGS
The footings for the decking will need to be 1 m from the edge of the rear wall and 1 m from the edge of the decking area.
The footings should be 30 cm square and 50 cm deep.
Pressure treated softwood is a good material to use.
PLACE THE FIRST CORNER SUPPORT
Measure the exact depth of the decking edge from the rear wall and set a length of timber along the edge of the decking area. Now position the front left support in its footing hole and make sure it's level by using a spirit level.
FILL THE FOOTINGS WITH CONCERETE
As directed on product details, add water to the mixture and stir thoroughly.
The support should remain upright and in the same position.
Repeat this process on the opposite front corner of the decking.
SET THE REMAINING FRONT SUPPORTS
Set the remaining front supports along the front edge of the decking.
Add the concrete mix in the same way and position the remaining supports, starting with the back.
Make sure each row is straight and wait for the concrete to set before moving to the next step.
CUT THE HORIZONTAL JOISTS
Measure the distance from the rear wall to the front of the corner support and cut a length of timber to size.
Using the spirit level make sure the timber is horizontal.
Once horizontal and at the right height loosely attach to the corner supports with a wood screw or use a nail gun.
Repeat this on the other side.
TRIM THE JOISTS AND LAY WEED MEMBRANE
Trim the edges of the joists using a hand saw. The joists should be positioned on the inside of the corner.
Now add the final joist across the front of the deck.
Lay weed membrane across the entire decking space to stop plants growing through.
ADD THE UPPER JOISTS
Measure the distance across the decking area from the inside edge of the surrounding frame and cut your timber to size.
Now lay these across the framework, attaching to the upright supports.
COMPLETE THE DECKING FRAME
Mark the outer frame where remaining joists will sit. Then cut your timbers to size and lay across the decking area, securing with wood screws.
Trim any excess with a handsaw and you should now have a solid flat frame on which you can install your decking.
FIX YOUR FIRST DECKING BOARD
Slide a decking board into position against the starter clip and use it as a guide for the rest of the clips.
Measure your first board and move it into position with the starter clips.
Allow for a 2 mm expansion gap between boards.
FIX THE BOARD INTO POSITION
Slide the next board into position.
FINISH LAYING THE DECKING BOARDS
Measure and cut the remaining decking boards and slide each board into position.
Repeat the process across the whole deck area.
CLEAN THE DECKING
Clean the decking with a broom.
Here are simple tips for building a bench too...
HOW TO BUILD A BENCH
Get some 2" x 4" planks and cut them to a standard size.
Sand down the planks and connect the wooden planks using two heavy strap ties at each end.
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Secure the strap ties with several screws.
Now stain the wood and add the hairpin metal legs. You can buy these on .