I wouldn't use the horrendously expensive Kwila, it chips around the nails/screws. The tiny chips are murder on bare feet. I'd use a hefty 150X50 edging around the whole exterior of the deck, makes such a nice finish. I was advised to put an edging across the front and cut the ends and leave the cut end showing. Nah!
sossie1,
Apr 25, 2:44am
I would splash out on good quality knee pads. Have an easy dinner prepared earlier. Never ask busy body retired neighbour to help again (he tried to take charge and effed it up). Make sure beers are already in the fridge. And again, never ask busy body retired neighbour to help!
cagivachick1,
Apr 25, 4:02am
wide boards
trade4us2,
Apr 25, 4:52am
Use stainless steel screws. Grooves down.
ang_ck,
Apr 25, 5:31am
would you use composite timber or timber such as pine?
budgel,
Apr 25, 6:11am
I'm now retired, but for about 10 years before that I did jobbing carpentry which included repairs to decks etc. It was always Kwila that needed replacement. Number 1 quality clear pine is a very good product that lasts a lot longer than kwila that has doubtful provenance from rainforest timber. Pine takes stain well, and the colour lasts. I agree with putting the grooves down.
mommabean,
Apr 25, 7:44am
i would use future wood composite decking looks great, easy to put down and doesn't need maintenance
dee238,
Apr 25, 3:22pm
As above, I would face grooves downwards.
sizzo,
Apr 25, 5:11pm
Another vote for grooves down, make sure built in seats are at the correct height (ours were far too low), hire a cement pump to avoid a hundred trips with the wheelbarrow and finally, pay someone else to do it so it doesn't take bloody months waiting for your brother in law to turn up each weekend when he felt like it. Oh, and invest in a good hammer, amazing what difference a proper hammer makes.
mtbotrev,
Apr 25, 8:08pm
work out levels better. and always wear steel cap boots so I wouldn't have broken big toe at start of summer deck build and house paint season.
richynuts,
Apr 26, 3:26am
Decking boards should always have the grooves down. always!
dajoki,
Apr 26, 3:29am
They all say grooves down. but why?
lythande1,
Apr 26, 3:32am
Ah, now you could be the "busybody neighbour" right? In which case I surely would like you helping.
zak410,
Apr 26, 3:43am
Easier to keep clean, not so prone to damage, not really more slippery than grooves up.
richynuts,
Apr 26, 3:44am
The grooves are there to be faced down to allow air flow between joists and decking board. So therefore will stop moisture and mould buildup, grooves also help keep boards flat. If the grooves are faced up they will eventually get full of dirt then harder to clean so in fact become slippery over time. Screw heads also countersink much nicer on flat boards than grooved.
richynuts,
Apr 26, 3:45am
snap!
ebygum1,
Apr 26, 4:06am
Absolute rubbish, the grooves or " reeding " is there to enable the decking to meet the requirements of NZS 3604 slip resistance. You can lay it any way up you wish to, as long as you can make it meet the standard.
merrilegs,
Apr 26, 4:16am
If you've ever had a deck with the grooves up, you'll know what a bastard it is to keep clean. Has to be scrubbed and hosed down, sweeping just doesn't cut the mustard. The grooves get full of dust and dirt, becomes slippery and dangerous, where the sun doesn't get. I've now got a lovely big deck, grooves down and so much easier to keep clean. Looks good too.
brightlights60,
Apr 26, 4:28am
And if you live anywhere with frosts, the last thing you want is a wet deck with grooves full of water that then freezes, so when you step out on it first thing in the morning its like a skating rink. Happened to me once.
richynuts,
Apr 26, 4:33am
Thats the problem always someone who thinks they know better and just causes confusion, now nobody is none the wiser. I work on multi million dollar homes and work with some of the best architects in nz. We have never done a deck with grooves up.
krames,
Apr 26, 4:54am
alot of public access areas require it that way not private homes as much
dibble35,
Apr 26, 5:14am
Yep had this happen at work to. Dont often get rain and then cold enough to get a frost but when it did, boy was so slippery.
tel4,
Apr 26, 5:36am
use stainless steel joist hangers where hangers are required, or use alternative support system. And StSt screws not nails.
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