The beauty of a verandah deck is that it is easy to build and can be used for sitting, dining and entertaining. You can choose to have protruding posts, columns or arches along the perimeter of the platform and you can then tie the posts together at the corners using wooden blocks or any other material that will provide adequate support.
A verandah deck is a great addition to any home. It’s easy to build, too, if you use the right tools and know-how. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to do it yourself so you can get your new deck up in no time.
Demo and Prep
Now that you have your deck plans, it’s time to get down and dirty. To begin, remove the old decking material and clean the surface. For this step, wear protective gear such as goggles and gloves. You don’t want to be breathing in any dust or getting splinters in your hands.
Getting rid of any existing nails or screws should be pretty straightforward—you can use a hammer for anything small enough to handle with one hand, but for more stubborn pieces of wood that need more pounding force (a hammer isn’t always enough), consider renting an electric hammer drill from your local hardware store. This tool makes removing large pieces much easier than trying to whack them off manually; just make sure not to hit yourself in the head with its swinging arm.
Platforms
- Lay the decking platforms
- Fasten the decking platforms to the beams with countersunk screws (18mm) and washers, ensuring that you use a flat-head screwdriver rather than an electric drill as this will give you better control over the screw placement
- Using an electric drill fitted with a masonry bit and hammer drill bit, bore pilot holes at 60cm intervals into each platform (you can do this prior to installing them if you prefer).
Install the Beams
Once the framing is completed, you can install the beams that will support your deck. We recommend installing both of these at once so that they line up evenly.
To ensure that your beams are level and plumb, use a level and a plumb bob to make sure they are installed correctly. The easiest way to do this is by using a combination square (also called an engineer’s square). Place it against two walls or structures at different points on the ground and adjust each beam until it sits perfectly flat against both surfaces there.
Make sure that all parts of each beam are level with one another, as well as being perfectly straight across from end-to-end. This means checking for any discrepancies along the length of each board where they meet its neighbor; if there are any gaps between boards, fill them in with extra framing lumber before continuing with installation activities.
Install the Joist Hangers
You should use joist hangers to support the joists. Joist hangers are metal brackets with holes in them that are attached to the bottom of each joist. The ends of your deck framing will sit on top of these brackets.
To install a joist hanger, place two pieces of wood between the two joists you want to attach it to. You then nail or screw through these pieces into each side of the bracket until they can’t be moved any more (you’ll want to pre-drill holes first).
Install the Decking
- Consider the best type of decking for your climate. Decking can be made out of a wide variety of materials, each with its own pros and cons. Factors including cost, durability and aesthetics should be taken into account when choosing the right decking material for your verandah.
- Use power tools to install the decking boards. Once you have determined which type of decking you want to use and how many boards are needed for your verandah (see below), it is time to start installing them. First step is using a power drill and screwdriver to attach each board firmly onto the frame with screws at both ends – one near each end so that there won’t be any gaps if one side gets damaged before another does; then place some spacers between each row so that they’re spaced evenly apart from one another.
Now you can enjoy your deck.
The deck is now complete, so you can finally enjoy it. Enjoy the deck with your family, friends and pets. Enjoy the view from your new verandah deck. Plant some plants on it and enjoy those too.
Final words
With a little hard work, you now have a new verandah deck. We hope this guide was helpful in your project.
