How to Lay Decking in your Garden
Timber decking can add a touch of flair to the garden, warmly bridging the interface between inside and outside. Whether it’s a stand-alone job or part of a wider property development project, decking adds not just value but chic to your home and garden. Some basic building skills are necessary, but it’s not nuclear physics and you certainly won’t need guidance from architects or other experts. It’s DIY, and ideally suited to the summer months when you don’t want to be trapped indoors doing painting, decorating or plastering jobs.
Begin with design – where does the sun fall in the garden, how big an area do you want decked, what shape, and so on. Then mark out the area with string and wooden pegs. If you’re laying the deck on lawn, clear the turf and level the ground first.
Once you’ve decided on how you’d like to lay your garden decking, cut the joists forming the sides to size. Lay further joists at 400mm intervals, sealing the edges with preservative. Secure this framework with three 75mm screws at each joist end (pre-drill the holes to avoid splitting the wood). Cut the deck boards to the size you need, sealing the edges with preservative, and position the first board flush with the joist at the front of the decking assembly, fixing it into place with two 50mm screws. Repeat the procedure with the other boards, but leave a gap of 3mm between them for expansion. Make a fascia out of the remaining deck boards to cover the side joists. Get some potted plants and some chairs, open a novel and relax.
