Most Aussie homes are endowed with a stylish and elegant timber deck, which either came with the property or it was a feature added by an owner. Despite the emergence of composite materials, seasoned timber is still the best material for decking, with Merbau, Spotted Gum, Treated Pine and Cypress pine being very popular. Other suitable species include Jarrah, Blackbutt, String Bark and Iron Bark, depending on your taste.

Start with a plan

Assess the area and decide on the deck dimensions; most decks are connected to the property. But you could have a stand-alone deck. At this stage, you need to think about levels; a deck needs to slightly slope to one side; if the deck is connected to the home, it should have a slight lean away from the property line.

Ask any of the top deck builders in Melbourne and they will confirm that planning is crucial; it also allows you to accurately cost the project.

Dig the foundation

Hire a Bobcat and remove as much soil as it necessary for you to build your deck foundation; one great way to make use of this soil is to build a rockery in a corner of the garden. Otherwise, you will need to hire a skip to remove this unwanted ground.

Set the foundation posts

Mark out the four corner support posts (you may need additional supports) and excavate the holes to a depth of 1 metre; sit 4×4 timbers into the hole and wedge it with racks and stones, ensuring the top is at the required level. After all posts are located correctly, pour ready mixed concrete into the holes and allow it to set.

You now have a solid foundation on which to build the deck. A large deck might have as many as 10 support posts that are firmly fixed, while all levels should be set.

Build the frame

2×2 timber makes for excellent decking support; start by screwing the 4 perimeter lengths firmly in place, then you can add lengths horizontally to strengthen the base. Some would say 18 inches is the ideal spacing while others think 2ft is fine; it depends on the weight the structure has to support; then you must cut short struts and screw or nail them between the lengths of 2×2. Every metre is considered adequate, make sure the timbers are flush with the top surface and you are almost ready to install the decking. Click here to discover affordable patio furniture.

Install the decking

Now that your foundation is solid, you can start installing the grooved timber decking planks; make sure you follow the supplier’s instructions when fixing decking. If you are using screws, drill slightly larger heads so you can fill and sand the screw holes. Once the decking is installed, you can build your patio fencing and add edging where appropriate. Home improvements add value to the property and you and your family can relax in a tranquil environment and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with being the creator.