Decking frame advise

harderthanf

I want to build a small bit of decking out from my back door. About 16x10. You can see in the photo (green arrows!) there is an existing concrete step across the door. I was thinking that normally (with no step) I would put a 5x2 wall plate across the red line and build the frame off that level. However, to do this I'd need to remove the concrete step.

Can anyone suggest a way to frame without removing the step or would that be the preferred way?

naughtysmurf

i don’t have a suggestion for you on how to do it but will tell you this, we’ve decking up to our patio doors & it’s absolutely lethal when wet, which is a good chunk of the year, both myself & the mrs have slipped on it more than once, we’ll be getting rid.

Gusser09

Keep the tarmac. Decking is brutal in ireland.

RainInSummer

I DIY'd a composite deck and it's in the past few years. No issues with it at all, although I gather that improperly maintained wood decking can be bothersome. Like anything that's improperly maintained.

If there were no other issues barring you from removing the step I would. I had a similar set up to you, but my door is recessed and the step down is huge, like 50cm of a drop.

So I attached the wall plate to the level of the step and put the last few inches of each plank on the step. Only works that way if you're running the planks length ways from the house though.

Lumen

Just build the deck freestanding

No need to remove step and less risk of compromising the house structure with drilling.

jack of all

I have a timber deck in my garden, detached from the house and we love it (we might use it for maybe 6 months of the year) but as already pointed out they are treacherous when wet and for that reason alone I would never consider installing a deck at a door. I don't know what the composite stuff is like when it's wet, but from a liability point of view you need to consider what could happen if a visitor/ guest slipped on your wet deck.

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118972633#Comment_118972633

I've seen composite decking used in ramps and jetties around harbours and lakes, so I assume it's fine.

chooseusername

If you must get decking ,get the non-slip stuff, not the stick-on strips, but the decking boards with the non-stick grit embedded in the planks.

But read this first;

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/mar/07/decking-90s-alan-titchmarsh-tony-blair

Fine Cheers

If the decking boards sit on the concrete step, will the doors still open ? I did exactly this on our deck with the boards running away from the doors ie perpendicular to the house. The support joist at this area is up against the concrete step. There will be lots of debate around the pro's and cons of timber decks in Ireland. Mine is down 20 years and is starting to show areas of rot in places but it has served us well. Annual maintenance required. Apparently we put timber decking boards down the wrong way - grooves are supposed to be on underside ? If budget allows do look at composite boards. Also we did have an issue with rodents - assume from food spillages so do make sure perimeter is well sealed with mesh etc. Just about to start cleaning and oiling so no slagging about condition please 😜 If going with timber, keep a board or 2 spare for after in case you need to replace the odd part board (like I did).

RainInSummer

That's pretty much the identical set up to me. Composite is expensive. No doubt about it. I also went with plastic supports which were dear too, they saved a lot of time though.

https://www.rynogroup.co.uk/ryno-support/self-levelling-adjustable-decking-pedestals/

These things ^^

Logic being if the deck is going to last 30 years then the supports should last the same. Didn't want concrete blocks as there's way more leveling involved and water can settle between them and the wood frame. If money allowed I would have gone metal framing. The deck should outlive me!

ted1

What about porcelain tiles. ? Build the area up with 2 or 3 bags of hardcore

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058243020/decking-frame-advise

Personally i would remove the step as it doesn't look to be too difficult.

Otherwise you could frame the wall plate around the step (fixing it to the step itself), at a height which allows the deck boards to lie directly on the step at the door. You can then just rawl plug the boards to the step.

Hope that makes sense

harderthanf

More confused now!🤣

I think I will leave the step and frame around it though