Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Dec 03, 2008 8:38 pm We are looking for some information on how to build our own deck.
10.5 x 4 m 1.7m off the ground attached to concrete brick home We are finding it hard to find timber specifications, joist and bearer spacing specs for a deck this size. Any information would be much appreciated. Thanks Kim and Jamie Re: Building a 40 square metre deck 2Dec 03, 2008 8:47 pm With a deck that high off the ground then you really do need a building permit. Good insurance for you in case someone topples over the handrail and kills themselves and then some smart lawyer discovers that your handrail was 20mm too low....I know of this happening!
As a guide on a deck, space the bearers closer - say 1200mm with stumps every 1200mm and space the joists closer to 400mm. You have to imagine that this deck will be full of people one day jumping around at a 21st and that is when these bloody things have a habit of becoming disconnected from the building - no fun at all! Which State are you in as the requirements may be different in different states? Builders are people too.... Re: Building a 40 square metre deck 3Dec 04, 2008 5:22 pm Do yourself a favour.. Buy the deck & pergola building book by Alan STaines... It's available at Bunnings for about $30 and has all the connection methods, timber sizes etc etc etc Electrical Engineer... Don't hold that against me... And keen owner builder... Mainly the building part!! Re: Building a 40 square metre deck 4Dec 04, 2008 8:49 pm Thanks for the tips, Builda. We're in Queensland. And, yeh, we're looking forward to a couple of big 21sts on it when our girls grow up. The home insurance should cover any mishaps as long as we have the plans approved by council and everything done by the book, shouldnt it?
Chuth77 - we'll check it out. cheers. Re: Building a 40 square metre deck 5Dec 04, 2008 9:00 pm To give you some idea, I build one 8 x 4 a couple of years ago...
Ledger against the house was 125x50 Posts 100x100 steel spaced at just over 2.5 meters(4 along 8m) Bearer 250x50 along the 8m length Joists 225 x 50 across the 4m depth (half blocked) spaced at 450 centres Decking 80x19 Merbau All Hardwood F17 was used.... I put on a solarspan roof. All i needed was 2 roof bearer of 100x50 steel. One supported on the posts, the other supported above the existing roofline using roof-extenda brackets.... The solarspan doesn't need any other support, so it's beautiful clean lines, and very easy to clean! I used teh roof-extenda brackets so I had some 200mm open on the 800mm overhang of the deck roof over the main roof... My roof angles up and away from the house, catching any breeze... I wouldn't do it any other way. Looks very modern too... I did it all owner builder, which means I have no BSA insurance for 6 years... I don't think even a building insurance company would cover workmanship issues, so make sure it's designed, and constructed properly... You don't want an Ascot case in a few years!!! Electrical Engineer... Don't hold that against me... And keen owner builder... Mainly the building part!! Re: Building a 40 square metre deck 6Dec 04, 2008 9:08 pm there is also this thread which Adrian B started, has lots of decking info:
https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.p ... build+deck Re: Building a 40 square metre deck 7Dec 04, 2008 9:29 pm Quote: The home insurance should cover any mishaps as long as we have the plans approved by council and everything done by the book, shouldnt it? In Qld the Home Warranty scheme is different to other states and will only cover registered and approved work that becomes defective for a limited time. Just the same, if you go 'by the book' then you will be much better off in the long run. Yes it will probably cost you more but home made decks are notorious for failing - sometimes 15 years later which is past the time when the warranty scheme would normally cover it. Be safe and go by the book and take the time to get all the relevant permits - even if you went owner builder or paid a builder to do it. Sorry to be such a pedant over this but I would hate something bad to happen down the track if you winged it! Builders are people too.... Re: Building a 40 square metre deck 8Dec 04, 2008 10:01 pm Thanks for the advice, guys.
Definately wont be winging it. Safety first. I think I might head down to bunnings and grab the deck & pergola building book mentioned earlier. By the sounds of it the book should contain the specs for spans relevant to our needs, unlike most of the other documentation I've come across so far. Once I've done some more research I might pick your collective brains again about the numbers of bearers required (I originally thought I would only need the 2, ie: the wall plate and then one one attached to the posts) and also about steel posts vesus wooden posts. No doubt I'll be asking some rookie questions Thanks again. Jamie and Kim ps: great forum! Re: Building a 40 square metre deck 9Dec 05, 2008 8:45 am kimmac Thanks for the advice, guys. Definately wont be winging it. Safety first. I think I might head down to bunnings and grab the deck & pergola building book mentioned earlier. We borrowed it from the library, save $30! Re: Building a 40 square metre deck 11Jan 16, 2009 9:08 am I would be inclined to get a engineer to advise you on this. 1.7m above ground is pretty high.
You will need to consider cross bracing to the the decking support posts, or your deck will simply buckle or collapse. Because the deck is pretty big, chances are you may have a party or BBQ out there, it should be designed for the maximum expected crowd loading, Also your balustrade should be sturdy enough to provide a significant barrier load to accomodate a large crowd. Just a thought. Pat. Re: Building a 40 square metre deck 13Feb 19, 2009 8:43 am You will find that the book is only good for decks < 1m above ground. There is other span tables applicable for decks> 1m above ground and depending on height, do your homework as you might find it better to put up brick piers as no need for cross bracing. No idea about the driveway question, but your price for a house that size including landscaping seems very good! 1 6159 I want to build a decking to the drawn shape outlined in black. The problem is how close can I build to the gas hot water unit? Will I be able to build around it and be… 0 20228 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Thanks. I was thinking of using either Extreme Joist or LOWDECK timbers for joists. Any idea what sets them apart and which… 2 12885 |