Decking questions ??

[IceBoy]

Hi All,

We had a large shed at the back of our garden which we got rid of. What is left is a large concrete base about 3m x 4m.

The concrete base is in perfect condition and is pretty level and straight.

Q.

Do I still need to construct a wooden frame....then secure the frame into the concrete base....then screw the decking onto the wooden frame ?????

Help much appreciated.
IceBoy

[Dogwatch]

Structurally no, but by the time you have drilled a few dozen bolt holes into the concrete to hold down the decking planks you'll wish you had put down a frame first! Having the decking planks off the concrete will also stop them trapping damp underneath.

Make sure the decking planks are well supported along their length.

Edited by Dogwatch on Wednesday 17th June 21:26

[V8mate]

Personally, I'd sink the posts to support/fix the frame outside of the concrete area. Will be much easier to dig a hole in earth and then concrete them in with a bag of post-mix.

Then construct a frame sitting on top of the concrete but with a membrane between the wood and the concrete.

[bramley]

V8mate said:

Personally, I'd sink the posts to support/fix the frame outside of the concrete area. Will be much easier to dig a hole in earth and then concrete them in with a bag of post-mix.

Then construct a frame sitting on top of the concrete but with a membrane between the wood and the concrete.

^ Wot he said.

I was intending to use what i thought was a flat, level surface to sit my decking frame on (old patio) but it turned out to be anything but level, and the easiest solution was to lift a few slabs and put posts in, then attach the frame to the posts, and boards to the frame.

[V8TVR1978]

By using the concrete for your deck you are always subject to the rain (puddles etc.) By doing a wooden patio you would not have puddles or wet feet. Kids also do better bouncing of wood than they do on concrete. Are you going to put walls up around this deck???? Using post holes for walls is better or easier than drilling the concrete and using anchors to support your walls. I know that for a fact as we did one for a friend and if I had my way we would have pulled the existing concrete out and started from scratch or used post holes. We used anchors and bolts every 2 1/2 feet and had to put a roof on to beef everything up. Only good thing is now his wife spends lots of time out there sitting and relaxing or using the BBQ and we get to play in the garage. Good luck.

[IceBoy]

Thanks All.

I don't have the option to pull up slabs as this is one huge concrete base.

What I will do is construct a frame and secure this to the base and lay the decking on top.

I think that sounds the best option.

What do I make the frame from ????????

IceBoy

[V8mate]

IceBoy said:

What do I make the frame from ????????

You sure you're up to this project?

http://www.angliangardener.co.uk/Patios%20Decks/de...

Just make sure that the wood doesn't sit directly onto the concrete at any point!