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How to turn a tight spot into a beautiful deck area

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We all know that the strength of a deck is entirely dependent on its substructure, so we faced quite a challenge with this deck at an estate in Mossel Bay!   For this project the developer of a 16 unit apartment block requested that we build a composite deck over the ground floor single garage. The catch?  We couldn’t use the garage roof for any support. Here's the space we were working with: So we had to come up with some creative solutions…   Here’s what we did:   We created a ladder framework between the neighbouring units, with 350mm support intervals.  We then created access to the deck by moving the window along the wall and installing an extra door, with steps up onto the outside deck level. We then created a picture-frame border around the outside which allowed us to use full 5.8m planks on this 6 metre long area.    A few finishing touches and here’s the final result:   The owner and developer were so pleased with the result that 3 other owners have now requested the same

How NOT to build a deck

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When building a deck it is important to follow certain rules and the recommendations of people who know what they’re doing. Cutting corners and having a deck built cheaply is practically guaranteed to result in a bad quality deck that will need replacing within a few years. Not only is a badly built deck a waste of money but it can also be extremely dangerous.  Of course, not all clients are aware of the corners cut by their builders. That’s why we wanted to share some of the common issues we come across when we are called out to fix or replace decks, so that you can avoid being caught out! Here are some basic tips to avoid costly mistakes: 1. Spans.   To support the deck you need to select the right sized timber for the span (unsupported distance) you intend to use. In the photo below, the span is 3.6m and a 228mm beam was used. This is OK, but all the subsequent beams towards the back wall were 114mm – NOT FINE.  And the client asks “why is my deck bouncy?” 2. "Waterproofing&

Support Poles

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Support Posts are a vital part of most decks. But they must be correctly installed in order to perform their task adequately. Not only must they support the weight of the decking structure, but also the weight of any accessories you might put on the deck, as well as allowing for the maximum number of people that might use the deck at the same time. If you intend to bury the support post then rather use a pole, in preference to rough sawn treated timber, as these poles are treated specifically for such use. Here are some of our tips: 1. Poles should be of an adequate thickness for the size of load they will be expected to support. If in doubt, consult your supplier. Tapered poles are actually stronger than cylindrical (turned) poles, but most people prefer the look of cylindrical poles. 2. Poles should be treated against rotting (e.g. CCA or TBTN). Ensure the correct level of treatment for your application. For example, the requirement for timber used in roof trusses is termed H2, whe