Question 1

How to build a raised deck?

Accepted Answer

Building a raised deck will take some time and is trickier than laying standard decking at ground level, but if you want to build decking on a slope or uneven ground it’s the best way to do it. If you do your research and follow instructions, you and a friend or family member can build a raised deck over a few days. Here’s a simplified guide of the steps you’ll need to take. Plan carefully It’s best to plan your raised deck by drawing it to scale on paper before you go and get supplies. This will help avoid wastage and making more cuts to timber than necessary. Prepare the area Prepare the area according to the instructions we give in the FAQ ‘How to lay decking’. However, because you’re building a raised deck, you’ll need to add posts: Place a post in the corner of the frame you created with the pegs and string. Measure and mark out 100mm from each side. Dig out this soil to a depth of 700mm (watch out for cables or pipes). You should have a 300 x 300mm hole. Repeat for the other 3 corners. Using a brick bolster, split a concrete block in two. Put a section of the block in each hole. Get a length of post longer than you need and place one in each hole. You can cut it down later. Create props on each post to hold them in place until you’re ready to add a cement mix. Check that they’re level. When you’re happy that they are, secure them in place with a concrete mix, making sure you create a slope in the concrete so that rainwater runs away from each post. When the concrete is set, remove the props. Create a string line around each corner post and find the centre point between each. Place a timber batten at each point, ensuring that they’re not spaced any more than 1500mm apart. Make the outer frame Working from the corner where the deck will be at its highest above ground level, measure and mark on the post where the highest part of the frame will be. Measure from the far side of one post to the opposite and cut sections of joist to size. Line up a piece of joist with the mark you made and temporarily secure it. Factor in a 2mm fall for every metre of decking so rainwater can run off. Secure the frame to the other corner post, ensuring it’s at the right level. Do this for every side of the outer frame. Using 100mm coach screws with washers hanging on the end, secure each end of the four sections of frame. Mark out where the centre of the support posts will be and secure all of these posts to the frame, except the centre post. Add your central support joists. These should run in the same direction as the deck boards will run. You’ll need to measure from the inside of the frame on one side to the inside of the frame on the opposite side. Attach the joist in the same way as you did for the other posts. Repeat so the centre post is in between two sections of frame and secure the posts with concrete. Trim down all the posts to the correct height using a saw. Add your weed-control fabric and weigh down with gravel across the entire area. Add your joists Measure 400mm from the centre of the outer frame and mark a line. This will be where the first joist is positioned. Repeat at 400mm intervals down the length of the frame – if the last one will be more than 400mm, add another joist to create enough support. Attach a joist hanger to each end of the joist. Place the joist in position so the centre lines up with the 400mm spacer mark. Secure using external grade screws once you’re happy that the joist is flush with the frame. Lay your decking boards Refer to our FAQ on how to lay decking to see how you should attach your decking boards. Remember: Always treat cut ends and pilot holes with decking preservative to keep your decking in good condition for as long as possible. Building a raised deck isn’t a straightforward task. If you’d rather leave it to the professionals, get a range of quotes to help you get the best price and a high quality finish.

Question 2

How to lay decking on uneven ground?

Accepted Answer

There are two ways to lay decking on uneven ground. We’ve explained how to build a raised deck in our FAQ ‘How to build a raised deck’ above, and that’s great for uneven ground or sloped gardens. But there’s another way that you can lay decking on uneven ground if you don’t want a raised deck: you can create a level supporting base. We’ll go through the basics here. Materials you’ll need Paving slabs – old or cheap ones are fine Timber for the frame and legs Type 1 MOT hardcore How to lay decking on uneven ground Mark out the area as we explain in ‘How to lay decking’. Then, dig to 200mm below where you want to surface of the decking to be. Add a 50mm layer of hardcore and make sure it’s compact. Build the decking sub-frame as we describe in ‘How to build a deck frame’. Lay out paving slabs along the edges and in the centre of the area. This will help to spread the weight of the decking. Set the decking frame on the slabs, checking for high or low points and adding off-cuts of timber where needed. Don’t forget to sand and seal these off-cuts with decking preservative. Add your joists and then the deck boards, leaving the recommended gaps of expansion of between 5-8mm. Building your decking on top of paving slabs is a good way to get it level, but you still may not be able to get as good a finish as if a professional did it. If you’re in any doubt, get in contact with some decking specialists and see what they would recommend.

Question 3

How to build decking on a slope?

Accepted Answer

You might think that building decking on a slope is a no-go, but it’s actually a great way to help you make use of your garden when the ground is sloping. It will provide you with a level surface that you can BBQ on as well as dine alfresco without finding that your meal is rolling down the table. But how do you build decking on a slope? Our guide in the FAQ above, ‘How to build a raised deck’, is the perfect solution – but we’ll break it down here if you just want to get an idea of what’s involved. Dig out the area If you’re laying on soil or turf, you’ll need to dig it out. Dig down and remove all the turf from the area and ensure that there are no weeds or stones in the area you’re going to build your decking on. Since you’re building on a slope, it will be hard to get it level, but dig out to a depth of 50mm and lay weed-control fabric with gravel over the top. Add posts and set with concrete Make holes for posts and add them in, ensuring they’re longer than you need. Make sure they’re level, then fill the holes with a concrete mix to set them in place. Build the outer frame Make sure you always work at the top of the slope when you’re building your decking, and measure where the highest point of the decking will be. Secure the 4 sides of the outer frame and factor in a 2mm fall for every metre of decking so rainwater can run off. Add joists Secure joists along your frame at 400mm intervals. If you get to the last joist and there will be more than a 400mm gap left at the end, add in an extra one for support. Lay your deck boards Screw your deck boards to the joists, ensuring that the deck boards are running in the opposite direction to the joists. For timber boards, you need to make sure you leave an expansion gap of 5-8mm. These steps should give you an idea of whether you want to have a go at building decking on a slope, or whether you want to leave it to the pros.

Question 4

How much is decking?

Accepted Answer

How much decking costs depends on the type of material you go for, how big you want your decking to be and where you live in the country. But typically, the cost of decking is between £1,200 - £1,800. The most popular material for decking is pre-treated softwood, which will set you back around £1,000 for 15m2. Hardwood is more expensive but is more durable, and will cost approximately £2,000 for the same amount. Homeowners are also beginning to choose composite decking, which is made from recycled plastic and wood fibres, and is low-maintenance and eco-friendly. This will cost around £1,600 for 15m2, while uPVC which is also a low-maintenance option costs around £600. People tend to choose composite over uPVC because it looks more like natural timber. If you’re a competent DIYer, you might want to have a go at laying decking yourself which will set you back around £1,000 for a standard softwood timber deck. We think it’s worth paying the extra £600 for a professional to lay your decking, since they will be able to do it much more quickly. If you do want to try it yourself, we recommend leaving at least a whole weekend open to do it, but it’s likely to take you longer. Factor in the possibility of having to take time off work to complete it and it might be more cost-effective to leave it to the pros.

Avg. price low	Avg. price low £663
Avg. price	Avg. price £2,050
Avg. price high	Avg. price high £3,363

	Labour cost	£1,050
	Material cost	£375
	Waste removal	£75

Wooden Decking in Thatcham

Obtain Wooden Decking Prices in Thatcham

Wooden Decking in Thatcham

Average Wooden decking cost in Thatcham

Average price per Wooden decking job in 2024

Wooden decking installation cost in Thatcham 2024

Wooden decking searches in November 2024

Wooden decking Projects in Thatcham in October 2024

632

0

0

Wooden decking searches in cities and towns near Thatcham October 2024

Wooden decking near you

Thatcham

Looking for Wooden decking in Thatcham?

Get free quotes from local carpenters

Wooden decking pros in Thatcham

JM Fencing and Landscaping

Latest review

Brigitte R., GU15

Garden | Decking in Camberley

Tree & Garden Designs

Latest review

Anjuna B., HP14

Garden | Decking in High Wycombe

Surbiton Landscaping

Latest review

Paul M., GU2

Garden | Decking in Guildford

Stoneartuk LTD

Latest review

Bob A., GU15

Garden | Decking in Camberley

Advanced Tree and Landscaping Services

Latest review

Michael F., HA8

Garden | Decking in Edgware

Lenthall Landscapes

Latest review

Brigitte R., GU15

Garden | Decking in Camberley

Similar Customer Enquiries for Wooden decking in Thatcham

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

Garden | Decking

How it works

Tell us about your Wooden decking project

Find up to 4 Carpenters in Thatcham

Hire with confidence

Our reviews

Average

Would highly recommend

Good easy way to find a selection of…

Love LeadsDoWork it's a big part of my …

FAQs

Other Top Projects in Thatcham

Are you a carpenter in Thatcham?