Decking - adding 'fence' later?

socks_uk

Hi, I'm at the stage where I am screwing down the deck boards to my deck (3m x 4.8m) and, as budget is tight, didn't plan for any balustrading at this stage. On payday I will be buying the components to be able to extend the deck with another section 3m x 2.4m to create an overall 'L' shape but with a 45 degree angle at the bottom left corner of the 'L'.

I originally wasn't bothered about any fencing but I think I might be changing my mind (been browsing the B&Q's garden booklet) so my question is... is there an easy way to fix the fencing/balustrading to the finished deck at a later date or should I stop screwing down deck boards (only 6 screwed to date - rain stopped play!) and re-think the whole thing? There will be easy access to the edge of the deck when it is completed.

Any thoughts welcome.

socks_uk

Any advice anyone?

eco-friendly_2

You won't be able to secure the posts to the decking properly, they must be bolted to the framing and the decking trimmed around the posts. Put a couple of screws in each board temporarily.

socks_uk

eco-friendly wrote: »

Put a couple of screws in each board temporarily.

Thanks... I never thought of that! I'm just keen to carry on with it but I'm holding back while I re-think this. I wouldn't even be thinking about this but the deck is going to be 'characterless' if I don't do it.

I've been looking at the 'Modern' style baluster but with one metal panel within a one metre stretch. (B & Q Gardens brochure pages 300 & 301)

My car is going in for its MOT today so I'll go to B&Q before the garage opens and have a look to see what they've got in stock.

27col

I have just finished a big deck. It was no problem to fix the balustrade posts. You just notch them to fit over the edge of the decking and bolt them onto the framing with the long bolts available at the supplier. Then I clad the front edge of the deck with vertical deck board. This helps to stabilise the post as well. I think that I used three bolts in each. The whole thing is extremely rigid and I am well pleased with the result. All the materials came from Wickes.

socks_uk

Thanks for that... I'm just trying to suss out all that I need to build the balustrade and then go buy it... now I've sorted out B&Q prices (on my other thread). I just want to crack on and finish it now.

Thanks again.