Deck to be built

[Cobber]

Hi All

Looking to build a deck and looking for ideas on what materials to use.

Eg - do I go for concrete stumps or stirrups.
Do I use say F17 for the bearers etc.

Will probably go merbou for the cover. Does anyone know the cost per meter in Melbourne?

Cheers

Cobber

[rod1949]

Go duragal steel for stumps, bearers and joists. Use Correctdeck as the deck, details at http://www.correctdeck.com/dealer/ww/au.htm. You'll never have to worry about it again.

[SilentButDeadly]

Yep. I'll be going the Duragal or similar route for piers and bearers but the 'decking' will be 2.1m lengths of oil finished 200x50 river red gum. Should be nice.

Nice timber alternative would be the 132x35 Wharfdeck from http://www.timberzoo.com.au/ at $10.90/m. Failing that they do a redgum decking 85x19 for $5/m.......they have an outlet in Spotswood as well as the mill in Geelong.

[Cobber]

Thanks - I have someone who can build the deck for me (about 30 sq metres 300mm off ground) at $30 an hour. I am trying to get a feel for how long it will take because another chippy has quoted me a fixed price of $3800. So I am trying to work out which one will be cheaper. Any ideas?

[rod1949]

Cobber,
Material costs only for what I used ie, the duargal steel $1,500 and the Correctdeck $3,200. The area is approx 24 squ mtrs.

[Trav]

Cobber,
Material costs only for what I used ie, the duargal steel $1,500 and the Correctdeck $3,200. The area is approx 24 squ mtrs.

What exactly is duragal steel? Is it simply galvanised steel? If so, do you weld the joins?

I am looking at a deck that is very close to the ground and am thinking of using steel. But I can't find any info on span distances etc. Plus, I can't weld (don't have the gear or the know how), so I'd be looking for a mechanical join. I have looked at the bluescope steel firmlok beams (see http://www.bluescopesteel.com.au/go/product/lysaght-firmlok-beam), which look pretty coool, but they only come in white, cream or zinc. Plus I expect that they will be pretty expensive.

Anyone else got any ideas about alternatives?

Trav

[rod1949]

What exactly is duragal steel? Is it simply galvanised steel? If so, do you weld the joins?

I am looking at a deck that is very close to the ground and am thinking of using steel. But I can't find any info on span distances etc. Plus, I can't weld (don't have the gear or the know how), so I'd be looking for a mechanical join. I have looked at the bluescope steel firmlok beams (see http://www.bluescopesteel.com.au/go/product/lysaght-firmlok-beam), which look pretty coool, but they only come in white, cream or zinc. Plus I expect that they will be pretty expensive.

Anyone else got any ideas about alternatives?

Trav

Yep its galvanised steel. Its not a heavy/thick coat.

Yep all of those prefabricted / prefinished systems would be expensive. Its one of the reasons I taught myself to weld. I'm no expert but I get by and can make things when I want.