decking - advice/suggestions please

Hi everybody,

I have a pergola which was built about a year ago, and i am planning to do some weekend 'project' perhaps start up a decking in the area.. I have a few questions i would like to ask everybody -

* Can you build a deck frame connecting to an existing pergola post?
* The house concrete is higher than the garage concrete, you may see it in the photo - i was thinking perhaps a lower decking at the back and then a bit of a 'step' up to a higher decking - i have attached a diagram
* Can anybody give me a link to understand how to figure out lineal metres. Would like to look at how much decking i need and the costs im looking at.
* Do anybody have any suggestions/tips how i should go about this project?

Thanks everybody for your time..

hmmm im now thinking of getting pavings done instead..

Multiply your lenght by your width and that is your square metreage.:2tsup:

Hi c_prime

For a quick calc of linear metres from sq metres use the following.
Assuming a deck board width of 90mm with a 2mm gap between boards you will need (1000/92)=~11 boards per 1m of decking.
So for your 74 Sqm of decking you would require 74x11=814 lineal metres of decking. Add to this at least 10% wastage and you're looking at around 900 lm decking required.

Looking at your pic the pergola posts appear to be 90x90 and would be sufficient for the outside posts of the deck. You would also need some posts down the middle too - all depending on the bearer span and timber sizes.

However looking at your pic you don't appear to have a great deal of height under the deck to play with which will make it difficult to fit the bearers and joists, plus I see a garage door which to me indicates there is a possibility of driving a car through/over it!
In my opinion I would be looking at paving the area or one of the stencil concrete options.

Cheers,
Loki

Thanks for your reply, i think i might consider getting pavings instead.. makes senses otherwise what's the point of the rear garage door.. I may do a 16.5 sqm decking area at the back as an outdoor dining area.

Thanks heaps Loki, will post new plans soon..