Break up concrete or deck over ?

Dan-Dan

so , if i deck , is it as simple as this ;

1)measure the lengths required to span the gap
2)ensure support in the way of battens half way across the gap
3)drill those supports straight into the concrete base ?
4)deck screw the decking into the battens
5)drill holes and screw decking into the bricks along the sides and front


any tips welcome?

DRP

Dan-Dan wrote: »

so , if i deck , is it as simple as this ;

1)measure the lengths required to span the gap
2)ensure support in the way of battens half way across the gap
3)drill those supports straight into the concrete base ?
4)deck screw the decking into the battens
5)drill holes and screw decking into the bricks along the sides and front


any tips welcome?

*what's the span? you will need a joist every couple of foot.

*think about the pattern of the cut decking boards - obviously you don't want all the boards ending on the same joist, and you might want to create an attractive pattern of cuts.

*I would pre-drill holes for the decking screws, otherwise the wood will have a tendency to split when screwing through.

Dan-Dan

Cheers DRP

Span is almost spot on 5 meters....
projection about 2.5

cant work in feet?!

I see what you mean about the cuts not all ending on the same joists , that`s a good point...and yes , would pilot drill holes for the decking into battens

I would need some whacking screws to go through decking into bricks.....will have to have a think about that , but i am hoping have that frame there already , should help me really , if i am going to deck..

Dan-Dan

I onder if there is anything flooring wise ,that cab be used externally , other than decking , that i havent thought of.....?

stebiz

Yep, I'd go the hard work root myself. Looking at that lot you are looking at an 8 tonne skip a sledge hammer, wheel barrow, spade and a few cans of beer.

That will make a real good job of it. I've faced similar questions myself over my refurb of my house. Last one was i) Do I leave cracked lathe and plaster ceilings up? (ii) Do I plate over them? (iii) Do I take them down and do the job properly.

We are now on our 7th (out of 10) ceilings which have all been taken down and new ones put up. Lots of mess but the job isn't botched up.

DRP

Dan-Dan wrote: »

Cheers DRP

Span is almost spot on 5 meters....
projection about 2.5

cant work in feet?!

I see what you mean about the cuts not all ending on the same joists , that`s a good point...and yes , would pilot drill holes for the decking into battens

I would need some whacking screws to go through decking into bricks.....will have to have a think about that , but i am hoping have that frame there already , should help me really , if i am going to deck..

i don't know why i put my measurements in feet there - i hardly ever use old money! - I used 40cm centres for the joists.

i presume you are talking about the fixings for attaching the frame to the existing patio/slab- rather than fixing the decking straight to the bricks!?


We suspended our deck on posts that were concreted into the floor:
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad204/ard101/DSCN0283.jpg
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad204/ard101/DSCN0260.jpg

It made life a lot easier to have a very stable frame - especially as you are building a large deck. The joists were then attached with hangers.

Also a suspended deck is less likely to be affected by damp/rot.

Dan-Dan

If i dont go into the brick , then i would be going into crazy paving to span over the brick...so i was thinking the brick surround would serve as a good frame itself , then i just need to batten probably 8 times across the projection and the ends of each length attach directly into the brick `wall` ?

Dan-Dan

plus , it would be sub 30cm tall so no need for building regs...

Yorkshire_Celt

We have a similar problem. Limited cash and DH not got the muscle to dig up concrete these days. We have decided to get some of those interlocking plastic tiles for outdoor use. Cheap, easy, can be lifted if you want, and quick. Would be good if you really don't want to spend money and you have lots of other demands on your time. About £15 a squ m. Look at IKEA summer brochure for pics, down load from their web site. We reckon they are better than concrete for our DGD to play on.

I_have_spoken

No.2 problem with decking (No.1 being slipping) is that rats love living underneath, cosy in in the dry