There are important steps to consider when building your own deck. Prior to the first step of building, it is vital you choose the right materials. Durawood® Pine Decking is available uncoated or pre-coated, and features an ACQ H3 treatment which provides resistance against termite and fungal attack.

Make a Plan
It is vital you have a good plan when starting out any building project. The design of your deck will depend on many factors, including existing structures, checking for underground cables and pipes (please see Tips and Tricks For Designing Your Deck for more information). Once you have settled on your design, you will need to seek local council approval prior to commencing building.
Measure
Measure your deck out as per the specifications in your design and then begin laying out your foundation materials. This is an extremely important step as the wrong measurement here could be detrimental to the entire design.
Foundations, Bearers and Joists

Building a strong, compliant decking structure will help assure the longevity and safety of your deck. Hyne Timber T3 Green has guaranteed resistance to termite and fungal attack - making it ideally suited for any outdoor structural project.

For detailed design and building advice, please refer to the Timber Queensland Technical Data Sheet 'Residential Timber Decks' below:

Download
Sealing / Finishing
Joists and all surfaces of Pine Decking must be sealed with a water repellent preservative or oil based primer, plus one coat of the selected finish (paint or stain), prior to installation. Always follow the sealing product manufacturers instructions.
Surface Orientation
Install Pine Decking with the grooved side face down. Installing the product with the grooved side face up can result in a slippery surface and accelerated decay, as the grooves become built up with dirt.
Board Spacing
As wood expands and retracts when exposed to weather elements, it is important to establish a gap between your Decking boards. During installation, we recommend maintaining a 5mm gap between all Pine Decking boards, at a minimum.
Butt Joints
When connecting butt joints, a slight back-cut will assist in obtaining a tight fit at butt ends. We recommend staggering butt joints to create a random aesthetic.
Fixing

Screws / nails should be hot-dipped galvanised or stainless steel (not zinc plated) to assure resilience to weather exposure. When situated within 1m of a swimming pool, stainless steel or silicon bronze fixings are recommended.

Ensure all screws / nails are at least 12mm from the edges and ends of decking boards. Fixing holes at butt joints should be predrilled (80% of screw / nail diameter) to avoid splitting.

Screws / nails should be driven flush with surface (not punched). At intermediate fixings, screws / nails should be either offset or driven at slightly opposing angles.

Each Pine Decking board should be fixed with two screws / nails at each joist crossing. Alternatively, proprietary fixings may be used in accordance with the product manufacturers instructions.

Maintenance

A simple clean down with a soft bristle broom will remove most dirt and debris. Avoid excessive wetting and pressure cleaners.

Like any timber product, Durawood Pine Decking will need re-coating to maintain optimum protection. Reapplication time frames will vary depending on exposure. Regularly monitor for signs of colour loss, dryness and weathering. Note that additional coats will result in a stronger colour radiance.