How to Build a Raised Deck | Wickes

A partly or fully raised deck can be a great addition to any garden, especially if the ground is sloping or uneven. Learn how to build a raised deck with this step-by-step guide from our Wickes experts.

This comprehensive tutorial walks you through everything from crucial planning and safety checks (watch out for pipes/cables!) to setting corner posts, building the frame with the correct runoff slope, and securing the deck boards for a smooth, professional finish. We also cover essential steps like strengthening centre posts, installing landscape fabric, and building stable steps.

Planning

The key to a successful deck is in the planning. Avoid very wet areas completely and if the deck is in a shady area be prepared to treat and clean the wood annually. Draw your deck to scale on paper as accurately as you can, remember it's the deck boarding that governs the size of the deck. You should also bear in mind that any deck over 300mm off the ground will require planning permission.

Corner Posts

When digging the holes for your corner posts be sure to look out for any cables or pipes as you go. Once the soil is removed you should be left with a 300mm x 300mm square to a depth of 700mm for each post. Make sure you add a section of concrete block to each hole before adding in the post and Postcrete.

Outer Frame

If your deck is on a slope, start with corner where the deck is highest off the ground and mark on the post where the highest part of the frame will be. To ensure rain water runs off your deck, and away from the house, allow for a slight fall in the level of the deck frame by factoring in a fall of 2mm for every metre.

Centre post and Support Joists

Your support joists should run in the same direction as your deck boards. Sandwich the centre post between two support joists before securing with Postcrete. Trim your post by using a setsquare and a handsaw making sure you treat the cut ends as you go. When laying your landscape fabric it's best to overlap the fabric to ensure it covers all of the area under your deck.

Steps

Your steps should be supported on solid and level ground. When building your stairs you will also need to make sure they are flush with both the top and side of your frame. When securing your deck boards to the steps, always secure the front faces of the steps first.

Deck Boards

When securing deck boards we'd recommend drilling all fixing points with a 2mm bit to prevent them from splitting, also, if you countersink all drilled fixing points you will get a smoother finish. Keep spaces even between adjacent boards by using a spacer from an off cut of timber (we'd recommend a gap of 5-8mm to allow the timber to expand and contract).

Fascia Boards

Start by attaching all the boards that do not need to be cut down, with 64mm screws. If you are adding an angled board because the decking is being built on a slope you will need to add packers to the deck frame. Remember to also leave a gap of at least 5mm between the board and the ground as you do not want it touching the ground at any point.

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