#canberra pergolas

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Dr. Georgina Montgomery

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Canberra - Queanbeyan Contemporary Deck

Ideas for a sizable, modern backyard deck renovation that includes a pergola

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How to Easily Build a Great Looking Timber Deck in 6 Easy Steps

Building a great looking timber deck is not rocket science; all it takes is a good understanding of the basics involved and of course, your skills as a do-it-yourself person. The trick to building a great looking timber deck is to keep it simple. Break the entire project down into a series of smaller, simple steps here’s how:

1. Start off with a bit of research coupled with some old-fashioned question-answer session at your local Canberra decking supplier. With plenty of reading material available online, it is not hard to find all the information you need on types of timber and their differences. But be sure to back this up with a chat at the local decking supplier because there can be a lot of information on the net that is ambiguous and sometimes, downright incorrect.

Talking with your local decking supplier might also reveal new products on the market that are engineered for specific needs. For example, there are now under-deck ceiling systems that not only waterproof but also redirect rainwater away from your decking area. The product is watertight and is easy to install.

When you do your research, always keep your location in mind i.e., is the location of your home or office in a bushfire prone area? If so, you might want to research more on composites rather than real wood timber decks. Also, it is easier to work with composites than real wood timber decks. Also keep in mind local legal requirements.

2. Know your requirement – how big a timber deck do you need?

Know the purpose of your timber composite decking. For example, should it be large enough to fit a Jacuzzi? Or perhaps you would want to place a 6-seater dining table? Maybe your kids would love to ride their bikes on it? How about protection from the rain and sun? Or perhaps you love to have it sunny in winter and shaded in summer? How about some privacy? Or access to the kitchen and other areas?

Whatever be your requirement, draw up a design (to scale) that caters to your requirement. The design will not only help put your timber deck in prospective, it will help you quantify your requirements in terms of material and finances.

A great looking timber decking designs starts with a good design – horizontal and vertical. Always do your design in two dimensions; it ensures greater accuracy and less chances that you might miss something – drainage for example.

If you are not too confident about your artwork, do not hesitate to engage the services of a draftsperson or engineer (it is less expensive than you think).

3. Site preparation - Clear the site of bushes, structures, etc. Avoid cutting down trees unless you really need to; trees blend in nicely with your timber decks and make for some great looking timber deck.

4. Setting-out the area – After the site has been prepared, work on setting out the area i.e. location set out, horizontal set-out and vertical set-out.

5. Construction. Start with footing and footing holes. Always check that your posts are completely vertical by using a spirit level on all four sides of your post (not just one side).

Once you have your posts in place, you can begin laying down the bearers. Again, use a spirit level to ensure your bearer is absolutely horizontal. Your next step thereafter would be laying the joists. Space and fix the joists in accordance with your design.

Finally, you can lay the deck. Ensure your screws or nails or are consistently in the centre of your decking board – mark the locations if necessary.

6. Painting or Sealing. This step is required to protect your investment. Without some form of protection, a great looking timber deck will not remain great looking for long.

7. Certification. Even if you are an engineer yourself, you should have your timber deck certified by a professional. Certification ensures your great looking timber deck is truly safe for human use.

Contact us for great looking Eco friendly decking

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Decking Installation Plan at Turnkeydecks.com.au

A deck installation can transform a dull piece of land into an entertainment area for your friends and family. And if you have some experience in working with wood and possess the tools for the job, you can do the deck installation job yourself without having to hire an expensive contractor.

This article meant for hobby gardeners and handy persons will help with your deck installation plan for a durable, weather resistant and a strong deck for your house in Australia. This part of our article on deck installation deals specifically with prerequisites and selecting the right material for your Deck installation.

Start with a design You need to begin your deck installation by designing your deck on a paper – do it as detailed and accurately as possible. If you can draw it to scale that would be ideal. You will need at least three views; top (plain view), front (elevation) and side. Drawings are important because impracticalities and impels decking suppliers fractions in the timber deck plans come to surface. Also, you could show the design to your family and friends. Their suggestions could further strengthen your plan and also bring to light any oddities in your deck installation plan. Also ensure your plan includes the joist and bearer structure that will be below the decking boards. It will help you determine the amount and sizes of timber you will need for your deck installation and help you estimate the price. Having a detailed plan at hand also helps you obtain all the relevant local authority approvals and permits. Take your time and plan each step minutely; enjoy doing something for yourself.

Once you have your deck installation plans approved by the local authority, you should go ahead and prepare a list of all the decking suppliers and tools you will need for the job.

Deck-Building Materials

When you arrive at your favorite decking supply store or hardware store, don’t be afraid to ask questions – the sales staff are trained to expect the DIY people and are usually armed with answers to various questions that might crop up. It is better to ask your questions and be clear of your deck installation needs than to end up buying the wrong (and expensive) material and later discard it.

Framework – Treated Pine

Most folks use treated pine framework for their decks. Treated pine is a dense softwood timber with a chemical preservative forced into its wood fibers; it is also a less expensive alternative to the types of decking wood. Treated pine is available in various chemical grades. The one you select would depend on whether you need to use it in the ground or above it. As for sizes, you should be able to procure any and all sizes of timber decking that meet Australian Standards required for spans.

Hardwood boards We recommend you use treated pine for the framework and hardwood for the boards and visible parts. Outdoor wood flooring is naturally rot resistant and when polished, will shine and suitably impress your family and friends. Because it is expensive, we recommend it only for visible surfaces, such as deck boards, railings and stairs.

Visit here for more info : http://www.turnkeydecks.com.au/

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Composite Outdoor Decking

Most house owners love to have an outdoor decking but when they talk to friends who have installed a great outdoor decking (especially hardwood timber decking), the prohibitive cost of purchase, installation and regular maintenance, makes them wonder if it is really worth the cost. A lot of people are not aware of the new age alternatives to hardwood timber decking.

Modern technology has come to the rescue in terms of alternatives to hardwood timber decking in the form of Softwood decking and composite outdoor wood decking. Softwood decking is decking timber artificially made from timber fiber. It is less expensive than hardwood timber decking but has mixed results when it comes to maintaining it. Composite outdoor decking on the other hand, is made from a variety of materials, is claimed to last long and comes in a variety of colors and costs – there’s one to suite every budget.

Apart from several colors, Composite wooden decking is also available in realistic wood print and capped with clear plastic so they are very stain and fade resistant. Plastic capped composite outdoor decking is available with most timber dealers and usually costs between AUD3 and AUD5 per foot. Some of these also come with hidden fasteners.

Plastic coated timber decking is not to be confused with PVC composite outdoor decking. The two products are completely different. As the name suggests, PVC composite outdoor decking is made from plastic material and has no wood fiber in it. The result is that PVC composite outdoor decking does indeed look like it’s made from plastic. So if you’d like that authentic look then steer clear of PVC composite outdoor decking.

These days being ‘environmentally friendly’ often also translates into good business. Many composite decking manufacturers have begun recycling material and using it in the manufacture of composite outdoor decking. However, using recycled material can often lead to inconsistent results (because it can be extremely difficult to maintain quality). Watch out for a “recycled” logo or an “environmentally friendly” badge.

Visit your nearest composite decking dealer and take a look at the variety of composite outdoor decking material that is available. Each is specifically manufactured to suit a certain type of use. The technology, finishing, sizes and colors vary with each type of composite deck. Mentally decide which composite decking material you would like. Once you’ve made your choice, go home and search the net for any reviews or complaints on the product. Of course, if it’s a new product than it might be too early for reviews.

If you’re thinking of hardwood timber decking, remember that real wood needs to be cleaned and stained once every year and we all know how expensive that can be. Composites on the other hand, come with 10+ year warranty. Also, there’s the resale value. If you put your house for sale, a house with outdoor timber decking will fetch you better value than a house with hardwood decking.

Check out also for Composite Decking Suppliers

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Removing Mold off Wooden Decking

The lovely homes with wooden decking and pergolas in and around Canberra often have to deal with mold formation due to damp and cold weather conditions. As a proud owner of wooden decking and pergolas, it can be quite frustrating when nature attacks and eats away your investment into luxurious decking.

Mold

Mold is algae – a living organism that looks green in color due to photosynthesis. Algae can not only ruin the expensive composite wood decking in your Canberra home, it can also be potentially dangerous because a deck that is covered with mold will be very slippery.

Removing mold from your outdoor wooden decking or pergolas

Although mold is a pretty common occurrence on most wooden decks in Canberra homes, there is no permanent solution to it – at least not yet.

Step 1 – Cleaning the wooden Canberra deck

To remove mold formation from your wooden decking, you need to first clear your deck of all furniture including flower pots and other decorative fixtures.

Step 2 – Scrubbing the mold off your wooden deck and pergola

Use a hard broom to sweep your wooden decking clear of any dirty and mud particles. Then you need to get down on your hands and knees and use a stiff brush over the entire Canberra decking plans. Give special attention to corners and underside of the skirting as this is where mold and algae have a good grip.

Step 3 – Chemical application

If you are satisfied that your decking and pergola is clear of mold buy an algae removing chemical from your local decking supplier. You need to do this because despite the scrubbing, microscopic colonies of algae will still exist and unless you clear them out with a strong anti-algae product, it will once again take hold over your entire wooden decking.

Step 4 – Buying the right chemical or product

Anti-algae products are available in two options – regular (factory made chemical), and environmentally friendly (usually produced from natural sources). Whichever product you select, read the instruction carefully as most anti-algae products come in concentrated form and need to be diluted before application.

If you are in doubt, seek the advice of your local decking contractor of which, there are many available in Canberra. Most would be happy to come over and look at your decking before advising you on a choice of anti-algae product.

Step 5 – Application

Brush or lightly spray the chemical so it covers the entire wooden decking. You will usually need to leave the decking alone for a couple of days so as to allow sufficient time for the chemical or anti-algae product to do its job. Follow instructions mentioned on the product package. Some owners of Canberra homes remove mold the old fashioned way – using bleach in a water solution. While this is a low-tech, low expense approach, it has the potential of causing some damage to your expensive wooden decking.

Preventing reoccurrence of mold on your hardwood timber decking

While there is no foolproof way of preventing reoccurrence of mold on your expensive wooden decking, you might want to install a few hard coir mats at the entrance to your decking. Family members or guests should wipe their shoes on the mats – this is especially important in the monsoon. Wet dirt carried by shoes will quickly bring back algae and mold formation on your decks.

Visit for more info: http://www.turnkeydecks.com.au/