Raised decking ideas - information and advice

The design and construction of a raised decking project, requires a lot more expertise that a simple ground level deck. Good carpentry and even engineering skills are required, as well as being completely at home with with building substantial structures.

Do NOT attempt to build a raised deck if you are a DIY novice. The advice and information on these pages concerning the constructing of a raised deck, is essentially for those who are fully competent with carpentry tools and construction equipment. The ideas are simply to whet the appetite for the project that can transform your house.

Before attempting to either plan or build your raised deck, then a trip to the local authority planning department may save you a lot of time - and money. You will most certainly need building control consent from the local authority also..

Raised Decking Ideas.

Construction of Raised Deck with Decking Staircase

We have many pages on the site - see links below - that will take you to actual raised deck projects. These should give you many ideas as to what you can and cannot do - with your raised decking project.

The standard format for a high raised deck is the conventional rectangular shape. If you have other ideas for raised decking - in particular the shaping, then please make sure that any shaped overhangs are catered for in the construction details. You will be constricted in many aspects by building control regulations. These, you MUST adhere to. They are primarily concerned with safety. To ignore them - or not to seek the proper consent - would be folly. It could also result in an enforced removal of your deck. Planning Permission and Building regulations control are absolutely important with most raised decking projects.

Constructing a Raised deck.

Any raised deck has to be properly constructed, and you should be fully aware of the implications and procedures for raised deck construction. If you have little or no construction experience or expertise, then do NOT attempt to build your own raised decking project. Get a professional.

If you decide to go ahead with the construction of a raised deck, then ensure that you have the proper tools that you will require, and are well experienced in their use. You should have a good knowledge of general carpentry. Constructing a raised deck is exactly what is says - CONSTRUCTION.

How to Build a Raised Deck.

We are not going to do a step by step tutorial about building a raised deck, for the simple matter if you need it, then you should not do it! Simple as that.

If on the other hand you have considerable experience in construction and carpentry, then there are many examples of how to build a raised deck in the links below.

Together with the finished projects, there is a good sample of images that will show you how to go about building your own raised deck.

Minimum Timber Dimensions for a raised deck

Much of the timber sold in the high street DIY stores is not of a suitable standard for the construction of a raised deck. The minimum dimensions for timber for raised decking in our opinion should be

Upright Supports - should be no less that 100x100mm (4x4in) and treated commercially - Tanalith being the standard. This is the same for all raised or other decking timbers.
Decking Joist - No deck joist should be less than 150x50mm (6x2in) as a minimum.
Ledger Board - The plate joist that is fixed to the wall with min 12mm wall fixings, would normally be the same dimensions as the deck joists. The exception being if the joisted frame of the raised deck were to be positioned resting on top of the ledger board. In this case a joist of larger dimensions could be used.
End plate - for the deck frame would normally be same thickness as joists. There could be advantages for securing the newels if a deeper joist is used - say 200x50mm (8x2in)
Bearers - The joists to be used as bearers on a raised deck would normally be double joisted each side of a 100x100mm support post. In this instance, 150x50mm joists could be used. Alternatively a single bearer of 200x50mm could be substituted.
Balustrades
- The top hand rail can be of suitable 150x50mm joist timber. This normally allows for a full length hand rail along any side affixed to the top of the newels - rather than having to be fixed between the newels.
- Spindles should be no less than 38x38mm, and spaced at intervals where a 100mm diameter sphere cannot be passed between them.
- The bottom rail for the balustrade to be no less than 100mm wide - depending upon the thickness. If necessary it should be supported in the centre to minimise any sagging over the years. As with the spindles, there should be no gap wider than 100mm between the bottom rail and the surface iof the deck.
Stairs for raised are dealt with in a separate section.

Examples of Raised Decking Projects.

Deck raised over edge of wall together with garden balustrade to prevent nasty fall over sheer drop.
Large slightly raised multi deck system. Large staircase.
Raised balcony and Deck to replace old garden steps and cope with 'drop' from house into garden.
Large Raised Decking and Staircase requiring planning and building controls permission - Image on this page.
Raised decking and pergola over a steep sloping garden.
Large raised decking terrace over steep bank.
Large Multi Deck Project - Five deck project with many construction details
Raised Deck for Sloping Garden. Utilisation of unused space with large raised deck.
Slightly Raised L Shape Deck. Gave good access for handicapped child.
Raised Deck over steep Slope - Made area near the house safe, and the garden accessible.
Raised deck to sort out inaccessible patio area and steps.
Very Steep Slope - Raised Deck overhangs this dangerous garden slope.
Raised Deck and Staircase to lower garden around Conservatory.
Raised Garden Deck on Slope away from Summerhouse.
Large Slightly Raised Deck with full sequence of construction.
Small Raised deck, Trellis, Pergola makes for huge garden improvement.
Slightly Raised Deck around new Extension - with small staircase to garden - Building regulations.
Large Raised Terrace Deck over Very Steep Slope.
High Level Deck and Staircase over old Patio.
Large Raised Deck with Trellis and interesting facing of the deck front.