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Day 1 saw most of main frame installed. The sub
frame deck is constructed with tanalised timbers measuring 150 x 50mm
(5x2in0 and supported with treated 4x4 - 100x100mm - posts which are
concreted into the ground. The concreting of the deck supports is not
necessary until all levels are right. The posts simply sit on a solid
piece of paving. Once all levels are correct, then the concreting can be
done. this can even be left until after the first few deck-boards are
fixed.
This method of deck sub frame uses a bearer which is
fastened to the uprights with 12mm galvanised coach bolts. The joists
are then 'pinned' to the bearer ensuring that a tight string line can be
stretched over thwe whole length with no gaps or 'bumps. Once this is
done, the decking con be started.
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End of Day 2 and deck is now virtually clad, some
of the handrails are positioned and fascia has been fixed. A good day in
spite of on/off rain all morning!
Day 3 sees the decking finished, with handrails for
balustrade being fixed and basic decking staircase constructed. 
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Job done after further half day.
Total construction time - including some wet time out - three and half days.
The decking provides some useful outdoor space, satisfies the building control
problem and simply adds a new dimension of an 'outdoor room'.
The spindles of the deck and staircase
balustrades have maximum gap between each, of 100mm in order to comply
with building regulations. Together with this, the height of the
balustrade from the floor of the deck, must be 1.1m 1100mm.
The spindle gap is easily sorted out
by using a piece of timber cut to 95mm wide. This ensures that your
spindles will not exceed the 100mm gap regulation.
The gap under between the bottom of
the spindles and floor of the deck, must be such that a ball/sphere of
100mm diameter cannot pass underneath. This can be achieved in
conjunction with the 100mm gap, by ensuring that each spindle is fixed
90mm above the floor of the deck. |
