Build your own timber deck
Build your own deck
Build a durable timber deck – a complete guide that helps you at every stage of building a boarded deck. You will learn how to prepare the foundations, build the supporting structure and choose the right screws so that your deck stays stable and attractive for years.
Step-by-step guide
Step by step from the foundations to the installation of the decking boards. This guide to building a timber deck helps you build a perfect structure whatever the weather or the type of ground. See how to choose the best materials and installation methods.
FoundationHow do you build a foundation for a timber deck? The ground the deck will stand on can vary, and the fixing method depends on the type of soil.
Fixing the deck to the facadeA deck usually adjoins the wall of the house. The material of the wall and facade determines how, and with what, the joists are fixed to it.
Deck substructureOnce the foundation is finished and the joists are fixed to the walls of the building, it is time to build the deck substructure.
Visible or hidden fixing of decking boards?Before you start laying the decking boards, you need to decide on the fixing method. Traditional fixing with screws driven from the top is the most common, but in recent years fixing with hidden screws has also become popular.
Choose screws of the right qualityFor a durable deck, it is important to choose a decking screw of the right quality with suitable corrosion protection. Several factors affect the choice of screw, for example the environment, the type of wood and the type of deck structure.
Correct installation of decking boardsFor a timber deck to last, the boards must be installed correctly. You need to keep the right spacing between the boards, position the screws correctly and note which way the growth rings curve in the cross-section of the board.Screws for decking boards
Choose between luxurious hidden fixing with the Hidden Decking System (HDS) and traditional fixing with ESSDECK Max screws or standard Classic screws.
ESSVE HDS Pro screwdriver for decking boards
ESSVE Decking screw HDS Pro with drill point, hidden fixing 4.8 x 60 mm A4, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw HDS Pro with drill point, hidden fixing 5.0 x 75 mm A2, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw HDS 4.8 x 60 mm A2, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw HDS, hidden fixing 4.8 x 60 mm A4, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw ESSDECK MAX 4.8 x 55 mm CorrSeal, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw ESSDECK MAX 4.8 x 55 mm A2, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw ESSDECK MAX 4.8 x 55 mm A4, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw 4.2 x 55 mm CorrSeal, pack of 250
ESSVE Collated decking screw 4.2 x 42 mm CorrSeal, pack of 1000Construction screws
Use construction screws for the supporting structure of the deck. Choose traditional anchor screws with connecting hardware, or one of the ET-T and WAF construction screws, which need neither pre-drilling nor any additional connecting hardware.
ESSVE Construction screw ET-T for wood, 6.5 x 130 mm TX30, CorrSeal, pack of 100
ESSVE Wood screw WAF with large head TX40 8.0 x 90 mm A4, pack of 50
Joist hanger Standard – external flanges, FZV
ESSVE Angle bracket 90 x 90 x 65 x 2.5 mm A4
ESSVE Wood connector screw with fibre cut 5.0 x 40 mm CorrSeal, pack of 250Other useful accessories
Spacer pads for the correct gap between decking boards, a decking board tool that makes it easier to install twisted boards, and the ESSBOX+ case, which keeps all your screws neatly organised.
