Deck Help

[Paul2012]

Hi everyone me again with another question, I didnt think about this in my design but it has been brought to my attention that my bearers are so close to the pool fence that when i have finished decking a kid could use this to prop himself up and over the fence, any ideas on how i can fix this as i want the deck to go all the way to the fence if possible

.... ... thanks Paul

[Dr - 307]

Hi Paul,
Looking at the photo the only thing I can think of is to either line the inside of the fence with a polycarb palstic (that way you won't lose the view) so it stops feet from being able to poke through and step onto the deck or you can stop the deck short enough that the foot won't be able to touch even if the kid is trying to wedge his foot in.
Alternatively you can rip this fence down and put in a glass pool fence but of course mega costly.

Dr - 307.

[silentC]

Raise the height of the fence panels and infill with sleepers. If you put the panels at the top of the post, what would be the measurement from the decking to the top of the panel? If it's > the minimum pool fence height then you're in the clear.

[thebuildingsurv]

If you move the pool fence 300mm away from the edge of the deck it will comply, another option would to be fix 10mm square aviary wire to the pool fence. If you paint the aviary wire the same colour as the pool fence it wont look that bad.

[Dr - 307]

That's right. If you do something to block the ability of feet being placed through the fence then you should be alright.

Dr - 307.

[silentC]

Well I reckon the job would look much more finished if you raise the height of the fence and fill in underneath.

I reckon 10mm wire will look ordinary, poly carbonate sheet is expensive and goes white over time with exposure to UV (I know this from experience). He says he wants the deck to finish at the fence. If he was going to create the 300mm gap required, the smart thing to do would be to stop the deck short, not move the fence. But he says he doesn't want to do that. I don't blame him, because it would be a good gathering place for beach balls and everything else, which you would have to climb down and get. Not to mention the skinned ankles and shins that your kids will get when they slip off it.

If you raise the fence and infill, then you will hide the underside of the deck, the fence will be the correct height from inside the pool, rather than being just above your thigh, and you wont have to get down on your hands and knees to weed between the fence and the deck.

Just my opinion

[Dr - 307]

He could finish the deck with merbau boards running along the face down to the ground and then screw / bolt the fence to the top of the pool deck as close to the edge as feasibly possible. Even if someone stood on top of the decking edge the fence would still be the right height. Sort of like how they are now fastening glass pool fencing to sides of decks with those round shiny fasteners.

Another opinion.

[silentC]

Yep, I've seen plenty done that way. Would be able to use the existing fence and posts. You can get mounting brackets for the posts to allow them to be mounted on a flat surface. They'd need to be cut to length. The fence is then the same level all the way around, rather than being stepped. I actually think that looks the best.

I thought he might be able to just raise the panels on the existing posts, because there's a good 6" at the top before you run out of post. Just an easy low cost solution, although there is still the cost of the sleepers or whatever.

[Dr - 307]

He could finish the deck with merbau boards running along the face down to the ground and then screw / bolt the fence to the top of the pool deck as close to the edge as feasibly possible.

If that was the method employed then you would also need stairs at the base of the gate and a small platform is advisable so people don't walk through the gate and straight down the step. During summer there will be people in and out of the pool so it has to be safe for quick traffic.

Keep it in mind,
Cheers,
Dr - 307.

[Paul2012]

yes there has been some good ideas at this stage if i had to take down the fence i would go crazy you see i started this project 3 months ago and have been working every weekend 8 hours a day, for the first two months i excavated the site 5x5 m and 1.3 metres deep by hand this took 8 weekends as most of it was clay, (yes i know should have hired a bobcat) i'm on a very low budget, i then had two dig trenches for redirecting the sewer and stormwater, remove the mother of all roots which cost my 5 stitches... I then hired a compacter and levelled the ground, built a retaining wall , put up the pool fence, and now building the deck... I have done all of this by myself and have had to learn each step mostly through this forum and bunnings brochures as i have never done any of this before.. I';m now on the home stretch once i lay these decking boards i want to take a weekend off.... If possible i dont want to dig out the concrete and change the fence....


I had another look tonight and i could stop the decking 150 mm from the edge the pool fence this would make it harder for them to climb and there would be a small gap between the fence( I saw a deck like this where they just filled it with deco pebbles) my issue with this is i would need to cut a straight line off the joist, I'm not confident that i would cut a straight line through the 140 x45 with a handsaw and i wouldnt be able to use my circular saw as there is not enough room, i dont know if a small chainsaw would do the job..


I wont rush in to this thanks for the feedback, i will think some more about it taking in your commenst , cheers Paul

[Loki429]

Just electrify the fence - that'll stop 'em climbing over it! LOL

Seriously though I'd have a look at moving the fence and mounting it on the edge of the deck somehow. Perhaps bolted to the joist and then trim the decking boards around the post.

[silentC]

if i had to take down the fence i would go crazy

Imagine how you would feel if someone's kid drowns in your pool. I think it's worth doing it properly. I don't think 150mm from the fence is enough to satisfy the regs.

[bpj1968]

Raise teh fence is the best option. If you don't want to pull it down and redo then extend the post, by cutting it near the base and drop a slightly smaller square pipe down and put the post back on topYou could then hide this added sleeve by attaching decking boards to the outside of the fence up to eth height of the deck.

[frog_hopper]

Replace the pool fence with normal wood palings fence ... can't get your feet through it.

[frog_hopper]

glass fencing would be another option (but pricey). However, the wood would provide privacy if that is what you are also after).