So this is the end result.

Browse Forums Outdoor Living 1 Aug 20, 2015 4:26 pm We have this small garden bed (2 x 1.5m) next to our front door. Last week I decided to claim the space back and removed the plants in it. Now it looks like this in the picture. Not sure what will be the best option to put a flat surface on top. Will it be better to put a decking or fill the garden bed with concrete and have pavement on top?
So this is the end result. ![]() Re: Decking or pavement 2Aug 31, 2015 9:49 am If I were you, I would put a decking on the area. It’ll add character to your home to make it look like a resort home. Plus, it’ll add value to your home too. Re: Decking or pavement 3Aug 31, 2015 2:46 pm I would concrete over. Garden beds or decking over that allows water egress but evaporation is not really possible allows water to get under footing of house. That is only really a problem if your site is highly reactive clays. Re: Decking or pavement 4Sep 03, 2015 8:36 pm Thanks for the replies. Here is what I've decided to do. I will get rid of the first layer of bricks and lay a slab of concrete level to the brick wall. Then put a decking on top of the slab. Below are my designs. Lay the concrete slab. The slab will have a slight fall to guide water away from the house. Put down timber frame for the decking There will be a slight gap between the edge of the frame and brick wall, so water can fall through as shown in the picture. This is how it hopefully will look after finish. Re: Decking or pavement 6Sep 03, 2015 10:28 pm I use Sketchup. I found it's quite handy for small reno projects like this one. It can quickly give a look of the actual end result. Re: Decking or pavement 8Sep 04, 2015 9:00 am Hi Tomking.chen Nice 3D Sketch ![]() I also use it, but as an engineer I find the devil is in the detail and unfortunately Sketchup lacks detail tools. ![]() You might also want to consider keeping the timber off the concrete (eg stirrups) otherwise your timber will rot over time Details here https://plus.google.com/u/1/communities ... 2205285216 Thanks for sharing Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Decking or pavement 9Sep 04, 2015 9:39 am Thanks StructuralBIMGuy, you are spot on. I was actually thinking use Stirrups for the fence post. I saw a few pictures people post with wood in solid concrete. Looks like they don't mix well. I actually have another question in my mind regards how to fix the timber frame to the concrete slab. I am thinking to use Dynabolts. But as I understand the end of the bolt will normally stick out of the timber. This will be a problem when tries to lay decking on top. Is there a kind of bolt can go completely into the timber. Or do I need to cut a bit offset into the timber, so the bolt will not stick out? Re: Decking or pavement 10Sep 04, 2015 10:02 am Check out my detail above. HTH Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Decking or pavement 11Sep 15, 2015 9:18 am Here is the look after poured concrete on top. As a first timer, have to admit I didn't do a good job at leveling the surface. Was intended to create a slight fall with the surface. But I think I overdid it. Now I will have to cut the joists to certain angle to level them up... Re: Decking or pavement 12Sep 15, 2015 10:19 am As it's not very high do you really need the railing? Not having one will make the deck more open. Re: Decking or pavement 13Sep 15, 2015 10:55 am I guess it's a personal thing. I just like the look with railing. Though got to admit the job will be a lot easier without them. Re: Decking or pavement 14Sep 28, 2015 12:51 pm Got the decking done. Still need to cover up the sides and stand up some posts for railing. But quite happy with the result so far. I have stone pavement (?) in my backyard around the pool. I have not tended to them and so there is moss growing on them. I intend to clean them but was wondering what the… 0 17169 Hi, as per the subject. Does anyone have any recommendations for the best value decking oil (Bunning is close to where I live) for a treated pine deck? Thanks 0 26884 ![]() |