Scaffold boards as decking

earthtripper

I want to build a deck but being an awkward one I don't want to use the grooved/smooth decking boards you can buy everywhere.

I was thinking of using scaffold boards - bigger, chunkier and just that bit different. Has anyone else used these boards for this purpose and if so do I just treat them with a wood stain as I would the standard decking boards?

Thanks

skinback69

hi i think scaffold boards are made out of teak which when sanded and painted will look great space them and lay them correctly and ur on to a winner id lay them first then get an industrial sander then stain or treat with teak oil

Chippy_Minton_2

skinback69 wrote: »

i think scaffold boards are made out of teak

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Halloway

Do people still do decking? How very nineties.

thehairybuilder

Halloway wrote: »

Do people still do decking? How very nineties.

I can assure you that decking is still VERY popular . It`s whats keeping some sawmills (in Scotland at least) busy as timber becomes scarce and business is drying up .

BUT

I can assure you that scaffold battens are not hardwood of any description . Just cheap`n`cheerfull whitewood with a metal bend round the end to stop them `springing` when they get wet . Probably not suitable for decking at all

There`s loads of different options out there but I`d avoid using scaffold battens for sure .

leveller2911

Hairy Builder is right, scaffold boards are made of "whitewood" which is very cheap and is not at all durable.To give you an idea of costs "white wood per cubic metre is about £150-00 in comparison TEAK is just under £6,000-00 per cube....think the days of making large ships etc from teak are long gone.

If cost is the main factor then you won't get cheaper than tanalised softwood , if money is not an issue then try Iroko (very durable and looks great oiled)when you cut it it can be a pale yellow, then oxidises and turns a lovelly shade of chocolate brown ..

skinback69

well just to let you know someone from dfs who were trying to sell me a teak table told me this guess he wanted my money

leveller2911

skinback69 wrote: »

well just to let you know someone from dfs who were trying to sell me a teak table told me this guess he wanted my money

Some salesmen would sell their own mothers .......:rolleyes:

I see lots and lots of supposed solid oak dining tables that are in fact have more pine in than oak,its shocking really.....

withabix

skinback69 wrote: »

well just to let you know someone from dfs who were trying to sell me a teak table told me this guess he wanted my money

Did you want fries with that?

earthtripper

Thanks all. Teak is def not an option - cheap and chunky are my must haves!!

Will check out what options are out there - just thought scaffold boards might do the trick as I know many a person is using them for raised veggie beds.

Cheers

27col

Have you ever really looked at a scaffold board. They are made of plain timber and are entirely utilitarian, without any regard to appearance. Made of softwood and probably without any preservative. They split along their length easily, hence the need for metal banding on the ends. I find it hard to believe that anyone would prefer their appearance to that of proper decking. In my opinion, anyone who sees a deck made from them would ask why the deck was not made from proper decking. Any scaffold boards that I have used in the past have had a very rough surface. I think that you are being "awkward" as you say, just for the sake of being awkward, and without thinking the whole project through.