House Deck

Depending on your plan to build a wooden deck, you must first determine the joist that will make up the skeleton of your wooden deck. All the joists, once assembled, must indeed provide for the installation of the boards of your wooden terrace but perhaps also that of a staircase or a railing. A classic joist will be made on a base of treated class 4 pine. This economical material is also available in several sizes. The joist can be laid in three different ways:

 

• On a concrete slab. Speed ​​and efficiency are the keywords for this option. The joists are screwed into the concrete slab through PVC wedges to prevent contact with standing water;
• on concrete pads accompanied by a draining layer of gravel spread over a geotextile to prevent the growth of plants;
• A load-bearing joist. Adapted to the realization of all possible shapes, this economical solution is based on a beam structure supported by masonry studs. This structure itself supports the joist. It is this solution that we will use for our example.

Step 1: Secure the olives in a space that will depend on the thickness of the boards and the dimensions of your terrace. Example: for boards 2.5 to 5 cm thick, the joists should be spaced 40 cm from each other, 30 cm if the boards are laid diagonally.

Step 2: Once the joists are installed, you can cut the posts to height.

The decking

Now that your joists are secure, you can lay your boards on top. The installation of your boards will be much easier if your terrace boards are long enough to embrace the entire width of your terrace. Otherwise, you must lay your planks end to end, with the concern of distributing the joints evenly, but in such a way that they are never facing each other. This will allow you to avoid long and unsightly fittings.

Tip: The length of the screw should be about two and a half times the thickness of the board.

Step 1: Two nails/screws are required per board and per joist. Push them in obliquely so as to hold the boards correctly. Space the boards 5 to 8 mm apart.

Step 2: For an impeccable finish, and if you have opted for nails, you can use a nail set.

Angles and profile of your wooden deck

To avoid any accident and for more comfort, use the quarter round for the edges of your wooden terrace. Sharp edges have the annoying tendency to break or form splinters. Chamfer (45 ° edge angle) can also be an alternative to sharp edges, although it has a sharp angle, less comfortable than a quarter round.

For the section of the boards of your wooden deck, an average ratio of 1 to 6 with the width is recommended. For example: if your plank is 22mm thick, the width will be 125mm.

Shaping your terrace

The decks have this particularity to offer a variety of aspects that gives them an additional advantage. From frames to angles, passing through all kinds of elaborate geometric figures,… determining the layout of a wooden terrace (drawing for laying the floorboards ) is a good stimulus for your imagination and creativity.

What maintenance for your wooden terrace?

A priori, outdoor wood does not require any particular maintenance other than an annual cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner or a brush of wheatgrass and elbow grease. To nourish and protect your wooden deck, you can also use a saturator. Impregnation with oil is possible because it protects the wood from greasy stains (barbecue, etc.). But beware, such treatment promotes fouling linked to pollution.…

Arrange your deck as an extra room, so that this place of passage becomes a space of conviviality. Here are all the tips from our experts to make your deck a real little garden.

 

Closed space, with sometimes unsightly walls and lacking in light, the deck is a precious space in town or a house. It is a shame not to exploit it. With a few ideas and the right tips, make your deck a friendly space where neighbors meet, and family get together.

 

Prepare the ground for your deck

 

In an interior courtyard, deck or city garden, the smaller the area and without light, the more difficult it is to arrange. Calling on a landscaper seems the simplest option for a mini perennial garden. You can get started by taking the time to prepare the ground well, look for plants that require little light, make set-up sketches, and start sober. 

 

Bring light to the deck

 

Once again, mirrors are great for lighting up the deck. All reflective surfaces are your allies: fountains, basins, metal objects … The choice of plant varieties allows you to nuance the color palette. Use, for example, silver leaves. At night, we put on artificial lights: candle holders, lampposts, high sconces.

 

We are thinking of illuminating the paths for more safety but also to polish the atmosphere. We do not forget the long garlands to dress some beds and bring a touch of magic. 

 

Camouflage unwanted people

 

In a building courtyard or the center of a house, there are always some annoying elements. The garbage or bicycle room, shabby walls, ducts, pipes … Impossible to get rid of it. Exterior paintings are the fastest solution, provided you have the condominium’s right or the town hall.

 

These elements can also be hidden behind removable partitions, canisses, or screens treated for the exterior. The best is to use trellises with climbing plants, tubs planted with bamboo, or create green walls as recommended by the two landscapers. Vertical gardens are trendy and easy to achieve. The must, a dark paint to attenuate an unsightly wall, associated with plants in the foreground that will redraw a composition. 

 

Isolate the deck from noise

 

In town, the main concern is sound insulation, so as not to disturb the tranquility: Contrary to popular belief, plants alone do not absorb noise. A vegetated noise barrier, yes. If we draw a line between the source of the noise and the receiver’s ears, the wall must be at least as high as this line. Install evergreen and broad foliage plants to attenuate noise, double it with a fence for double insulation. Otherwise, treat yourself to a plant wall to install. Their thick support combined with plants is very effective. 

 

What plants to use for your deck?

 

Once the composition of your arrangement is installed, it is time to look at the plants’ choice. The deck is a space where there is a lot of shade and little wind. A deck is a place of daily life in any season, and it is preferable to use persistent plants. 

 

Plants from dry land (cacti, aloe vera, agave, etc.), which require little watering and do not clutter up small spaces, are recommended. Arrange them according to their height. …