Loki's Deck

[oohsam]

Geez Loki, You've done a top job mate. Praises to you.
Im yet to oil the deck...I know its been weeks. Im actually thinking of not using the 10litres that I bought of the Cabots "natural" decking oil, as its far from natural. Very dark. I might go for the feast and watson. I like the colour of yours...

Im also considering getting it sanded...Did you get someone to come and sand it for you or did ya do it yourself?

[Waldo]

Loki429, your deck has come up a treat.

I've been searching for a suitable timber for the posts that compliments merbu for the decking, and kwila looks like the right choice. Love your attention to detail, it's got me rethinking some aspects of my yet to be built deck.

[AV Elec]

Very nice deck Loki, you should be proud

I'm looking to build a deck off the back of my house with a spa sunken in it. The deck will be 2500mm above an existing slab and I was going to sit the spa on a concrete plynth at suitable height.

I am planning to make the top of the deck go over the spa so when the spa isn't being used, I can put a section of timber decking over it to cover it. What do people think? Any issues I should be aware of?

I plan to use hardwood, and stainless screws anyway.

[brynk]

gday av elec

it is customary to start a new thread with your questions -

after you have done this, can i suggest you give as much detail as possible including all dimensions of deck and spa, heights, existing structures, a photo or two even...

i can think of at least one issue almost immediately. say your spa is a metre deep. that makes your plinth around 1500 off the slab below; that will be a fun pour doing it out of a wheelbarrow

r's brynk

[Andy Mac]

NIce looking job on the deck Loki! As people have said, your attention to detail is inspirational. I esp. like the steps, which look a bit like bleachers...very useable as both steps and seating. That rain chain is a great touch, and your plan to finish it will be worthwhile.
Regarding the polycarbonate sheeting, I have a couple in my shed, and when the sun is in the right (read 'wrong') angle, my workbench becomes almost unuseable because of the direct heat. But you're the one living with it...
My only concern about your whole deck is the neighbour's windows peering strainght into your spa!! I couldn't handle that, would screen that end off straight away, but then I live hundreds of metres from the nearest neighbour! You city folk are no doubt used to having other people in close proximity.
Anyway, great job and look fwd to photos of the deck-warming party.

Cheers,

[AV Elec]

Thanks for the tip Brynk - I will do that. I don't mean to tread on anyones toes.

[chessp]

The deck looks brilliant. You appear to have spaced your posts approx 3m apart across the span of the deck. Is this correct?

[Loki429]

Thanks for your compliments!
I must say I have enjoyed building the deck and that has helped a great deal. I've also not been rushed so if there was ever a day when I felt like I didn't want to do any work on it then I simply left it. I told myself at the start that I wasn't going to cut any corners and that if I started to I would take some time away from it. I realise not everyone has the luxury of this sort of time though.

Wildo - you'll find kwila and merbau are the same timber, just a different name.
Andy - yes the proximity of neighbouring houses is always a problem in Sydney. The original plans I submitted to Council had a timber "privacy screen" mounted at each end, covering from the roofing to the handrail. I've had second thoughts about this and am now thinking of some sort of roll-up blind. Currently we are getting privacy when using the spa by standing the spa cover on its side at that end of the deck.

Having the spa under cover is great too - sitting in the spa with a drink watching the thunderstorms and rain is a great way to relax!

chessp - yes the posts are about 3m apart. The deck is 11.5m x 4m.


We've got a long weekend coming up (after BDO on Friday ) so I'm hoping to complete the finishing touches. Then we've got a party the following weekend when it will well & truly get christened.

Cheers
Loki

[DvdHntr]

does the engineer have a wind category rating on your drawings? it will be n-something - n2? n3?

Not if he is a decent structural engineer. The Design Wind Speed should be given Vr = 45m/s or something like that.

[maxpaget]

Hello Loki

Your deck looks fantastic. I especially like the attention paid to the balustrade. It is one of those things that you can spends ages building something like this, only to find you struggle to find a good finish to bring out the best in the timber, but you seem to have cracked it!

I don't know if there is a precedent or some form of etiquette, if there is, I apologise. I was going to ask you if you could post your plans as I am in the process of trying to plan a similarly located deck out the back of the house. SWMBO wants it to be about 13.5m x 5m. I am already questioning my sanity!

Cheers

Max

[Loki429]

Hi all

Sorry for my absence and very delayed response!
Re the deck plans yes I have no problems with sharing them here. The originals however are in Microsoft Visio format (I work in IT and that's good for network and computer drawings!) which I don't know how many people will be able to open. Saying that however there is a free Visio viewer utility you can download from Microsoft that allows you to view but not edit.
I'll attach them anyway.

Timber sizes and references to spans are on the drawings. In hindsight however I would use more posts as the deck does have a very slight spring/bounce to it in certain places. Going to larger bearers and joists would not be economical.

Cheers,
Loki

sorrry just tried to attach the visio file but it is too big. Even when saved in Autocad format it's too big. I saved the individual pages as jpg but with the size restrictions quality will be low.
PM me if anyone wants the original file and I'll arrange a way to email it to you.

[Loki429]

As requested here's some details on the steps construction.

[Buggermedumplings]

Loki, just wanted to find out how your SS balustrading is going? I'm thinking of getting them from Miami Stainless too and would like to know how you have found them over last few months eg need to retension etc etc... Cheers.