Merbau decking - some novice questions

[roba]

I am about to rip up my old decking and replace it with Merbau. Having never done decking before, you could say I'm a bit of a novice, so some advice to some basic questions would be appreciated!

1. My wife likes the wider boards (140x22). Is there any advantage or disadvantage to using 140mm over 90mm?

2. I want to use stainless steel screws. Looking at Type 17 65mm stainless steel. Would this be ok?

3. What tool do I use? I've read through the forums and carbi-tool is mentioned. Is this the best? Where do you buy it (I'm in Sydney)?

4. It seems like Spa&Deck is recommended. Where can I purchase this (Bunnings?)?

5. With my current deck, there is black protective cover sheeting between the deck and the joists. Is this necessary?

Thanks for any help you can give...I'm looking forward to a deck which hopefully will look as good as a lot of the decks of photos I've seen on this forum!

[want2learn]

4. It seems like Spa&Deck is recommended. Where can I purchase this (Bunnings?)?

Bunnings has it but as always its more expensive than anywheer else, i purchased spa&deck from a dulux shop which was roughly $20 or so cheaper for the stain.

[roba]

Bunnings has it but as always its more expensive than anywheer else, i purchased spa&deck from a dulux shop which was roughly $20 or so cheaper for the stain.

Thanks. Just called up two Dulux trade centres in my area (North Shore, Sydney) and neither of them stock it.

[want2learn]

Thanks. Just called up two Dulux trade centres in my area (North Shore, Sydney) and neither of them stock it.

oops i just double checked, it was Bristol that stock Spa&Deck.

[roba]

oops i just double checked, it was Bristol that stock Spa&Deck.

Cheers for that. I actually did some digging around, and found that on Floods website (www.floodaustralia.net) you can enter your postcode and it will show the stockists. One supposedly stockist had never heard of it, Bristol though has it.

Could anybody else comment on my other questions? Thanks.

[Blu_Rock]

Although I am by no means an expert, here are my thoughts.
1) 140mm decking will require less drilling and screwing but the wider boards are more prone to cupping. However, as you are screwing them down, this should not be a problem.
2) Those length screws should be fine, 10g S/S should do... there is a good discussion on this thread.
3) A lot of people recommend the carb-i-tool bit, however, I used a much cheaper Snappy bit and have had no problems after drilling >2,000 holes...see my deck thread, post # 14.
4) Bristol is the cheapest for Spa N Deck. I was there last weekend and the price was $198 for 10 ltrs c/w Bunnings @ $217. Check out UteMad's colour comparision "chart" of SND on merbau on this thread.
5) If your joists are untreated, then you probably want to go with the strip.

[roba]

Thanks Blu_Rock. Your advice is much appreciated! I read your thread in its entirety, and am getting a much better understanding of it all.
Just a couple of questions on what you've said and done:

1. Is a 1/8" countersink suitable for 10G SS screws? Is this the tool you used:
http://www.vektools.com.au/snappy-co...ar-p-4768.html

2. Did you pre-drill before laying the board, then drill again (using the countersink) into the joists when the boards are in position?

3. Is the strip that I need to lie on the joists anything in particular? Or just something that is waterproof?

I ended up picking uo Spa N Deck from Bunnings late yesterday. Told them Bristol had it for $82.59 (which is what I was quoted). Bunnings policy is to beat anybody elses price by 10%, so ended up getting it for $75

[Blu_Rock]

Roba

The snappy bit I used with the 9G screws was 1/8" and the screws were a very snug fit in the pilot hole (screw shank diameter is 0.135" bit diameter is 0.124"), no boards split even though the shank is larger than the hole. I am not sure on the diameter of the carb-i-tool bit but I seem to recall it is also 1/8". The link you have provided seems to show the same bit.

My joists are treated pine so no pilot holes in them were necessary. If you have hardwood joists, you will need to first drill the decking with the c/s bit, then switch to a normal bit to drill the pilot holes into the hardwood joists, going through the decking timber holes you just drilled to ensure alignment.

There is a strip available specifically for decking. Do a search of the Forum, this topic has been covered numerous times. I am sure that people with more experience than me will have some good advice whether it's necessary to use and what is the best product, price and quality wise.

Nice score on the Spa N Deck.

[UteMad]

I could .....but prefer you pay me plenty to do it for you LOL


cheers utemad

[roba]

I could .....but prefer you pay me plenty to do it for you LOL

haha...if only you knew the full story! This decking is on our upstairs balcony. If it all looks great, we're going to look at putting in a large deck downstairs out the back. And something I think I'll pay somebody to do (probably a bit beyond my skill level)

Anyway, back on topic: I think I've got it all sorted. For the stripping over the joists, I'm just using some damp proofing which I'll staple down. Picked up some this afternoon.

I picked up a basic screw pilot drill/countersink tool set from Bunnings today, hopefully it will do the job.

Now just to get the decking (now going with 90mm) and some SS screws, then I should be right to go.

Thanks all (especially Blu_Rock and want2learn) for your help!

[UteMad]

I gather by the price on the s & d that is a 4ltr tin.... 10ltrs does about 20 - 25m2 for 3 coats...Or 15ltrs can do 20m2 on and old pine deck like my thread titled "spa n deck"

Yes i do plug the carbitool as it will outlast any diy and is prob over kill but it wont clog on you either like the 10 - 15 buck cheapies

Your better off with a "smartbit" if you dont want to spend on a carbitool we are in the process of giving them a flogging and they look like being way more than adequate for a few decks

Don't forget to fire me a PM when you want the quote for your massive lower deck...

You guys are gunna have to throw me some funds or i could go broke and disappear into oblivion LoL

If nothing else i have boosted stainless deck screw sales .. I knew i should have bought shares in them

cheers utemad

[UteMad]

If you use 140 x 22 merbau i would want 12G 65mm type 17 counter sunk sq drive screws or for a jetty look stainless bugel batten screws ... The bugels aren't diy friendly though as you wont have anything to put them in with most likely..

cheers utemad

[roba]

I gather by the price on the s & d that is a 4ltr tin.... 10ltrs does about 20 - 25m2 for 3 coats...Or 15ltrs can do 20m2 on and old pine deck like my thread titled "spa n deck"

Balcony is only 15m2. Will pick up another 4L tin when I'm ready.

Yes i do plug the carbitool as it will outlast any diy and is prob over kill but it wont clog on you either like the 10 - 15 buck cheapies

Your better off with a "smartbit" if you dont want to spend on a carbitool we are in the process of giving them a flogging and they look like being way more than adequate for a few decks

I'd give either a try based upon the recommendations here - smartbit or carbitool. But I can't be bothered driving half way across Sydney to get a small tool. Does anybody know where these can be bought on the north shore?

Don't forget to fire me a PM when you want the quote for your massive lower deck...

Yep, won't forget. It's pretty obvious you know what you're talking about and do the job properly.

If you use 140 x 22 merbau i would want 12G 65mm type 17 counter sunk sq drive screws or for a jetty look stainless bugel batten screws ... The bugels aren't diy friendly though as you wont have anything to put them in with most likely..

Change of plan. We're now going with 90x19 merbau. Planning on using 50mm type 17 counter sunk sq drive screws, something like these:
http://elraco.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=4625