How to build a LOW MAINTENANCE timber decking base

It’s finally time to start building our decking! We’ve been delayed so much by the weather but we’re finally ploughing on with this project. As we’re building this on a North facing wall in the North East of England we’re really thinking about long term maintenance on this one. I really want a timber deck and I’m fairly confident this will have a life span of at least 20 years. Possibly more. Today we’re building the base then in part 2 we’ll finish everything off and talk more about finishes, wood treatment etc. Enjoy!

Join the Member Zone to nerd out on extra detail about building this deck. We’ll start with estimating timber quantities and loads more to come after that:

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#woodworking #decking #construction

[colingoode]

No contractor could match this level of detail without charging a fortune. The best advert for doing something yourself with longevity & maintenance in mind. Nice one Andy & Mrs Mac. I wish my wife could use a shovel!!

[HappyHitman]

"I've got a hand saw down there but I've not worked out how to switch it on" - this is what earned my 'like'. It's the little things

[nickeverett]

This is the most belt and braces, thorough approach to building a decking base I’ve ever seen. Nice one!

[freetolook]

That detail of the plate in diamond instead of square is something that 95% of woodpeckers would miss or not care about.

[_tmmy_]

“Think maintenance!!” - the ultimate catchphrase that has really stuck with me since I first started watching this channel.

[InGreatDistress]

18:16 That was the very honest "jeez" of a man who doesn't get surprised often, but when he does it's warranted 😄

[krisminderski]

I’ve seen many diy videos, but this one is by far the most detailed one and clear to understand. Fantastic job all around. Love it 💪💪💪🫵 ⭐️

[adrianilie]

Thank you for detail explanations. We've built our deck following your videos. Very useful comments and guidelines for anyone who wants to try on his own.

[troyboy]

Hooray ! ... Andys back on the tools !

[shmink]

Definitley better than 90% of contractors

[johnridout]

Just seen this excellent video.

I made a similar deck 25 years ago. About 6m by 2.5m. It was on a similar gravelly base. I decided it was too much like hard work to use posts to support the joists.

Instead I used reclaimed railway sleepers which I put on the ground upside down to give a flat surface. They had enough creosote/tar/bitumen in/on them that I was not worried about them rotting. About 900mm centres. Occasional scraping of the ground with a mattock to get the sleepers at the correct level and to ensure that they did not rock. I then used 75*75mm treated fence posts as the joists at 600mm centres. This conveniently left the deck at the height that I needed.

The deck is still going strong after 25 years.

My only mistake was that I was told sleepers were 8ft long and when they arrived, I found that they were 8ft6in long and I had had the decking delivered cut to length, so had to trim all the sleepers with a bow saw.

[RiBenjafield]

Wow, what a video. THE definitive guide to building a maintenance-free decking base. Thanks Andy, love your channel and this video. 👍

[whyfearfear]

I do love your videos Andy. It’s like watching poetry. I don’t think I can remember any other YouTube maker taking this level of care

[juwe]

Andy, you even did Morris dance in the hole the Mrs Mac dogged up.

[MarcusT]

Glad to see you back to making main channel vids.

Beautiful piece of framework there, and that new impact driver is a monster!

And well done to Mrs Mack for getting stuck in!

[spacer]

i am amazed at how much talent you have been watching for while take my hat of to you and your wife for building a fabulous house

[akhan]

OMG this video is absolutely amazing can’t wait to watch it properly later. This is exactly how I wanted to do it so i will definitely ask some questions or watch rest of videos. Thanks much you legend

[ceeg]

I’m redoing my decking next week and I can’t express how happy I am to have stumbled across this video! Great ideas and alternatives to how I would have done things. I’ll be pinching lots of your ideas and ways of doing it. Thank you very much! 😬

[ianpearse]

I love the attention to details Andy. Fantastic.

[ScottishPaul]

Brilliant thanks Andy, planning a deck build just now! Off to the members zone for more.