How hard is it to build a decking frame?

[Skidder]

I'm pretty skint at the moment having recently had a large extension built. As such considering doing something myself. I want to put a deck at the bottom of my garden but have no experience of it and I don't normally bother much with DIY.

How hard is it to build a decking frame? That is the bit that concerns me in terms of getting it right. I have cut and put down some decking before on an existing frame.

It will be an irregular shape due to an existing path and tiered shape to the garden, so not a nice easy rectangle.

Should I get a real man? Any tips?

 

[Skidder]

Thanks for help so far. There would be some angles which would be a bit unavoidable given the shape.

 

[Skidder]

Get a tin of end grain treatment for treating any cut ends as you go. I guess you could use normal preservative, but the proper end grain treatments use the same Tanalith treatment used on the timber, so it should in theory give the same protection. The downside is its pretty expensive, but worth it when you consider how much the decking is costing.

Noted, thanks

1) Tools - Sliding Mitre Saw, Drill (for deck screws), Impact driver (for frame TimbaScrews)
2) Design Top/Finish first - Your layout inc shape, direction of planks, and any edging or lights you want to include
3) Design frame - Making sure the ends of all planks have something to screw down onto
4) Clear area, lay membrane
5) Build as much of the frame you can first before adding/connecting to supports
6) Add supporting legs etc
7) Ensure frame is treated in whatever protection you choose
8) Add decking planks (treating as you go if you don't have access afterwards

Simples!

This was my effort last year:- https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/posts/30020797

Excellent, thanks. Yours looks great.

I made good progress yesterday and turned this into two jobs rather than one. I had very mixed levels in the area to be decked. There was an old brick built drain structure (not in use) and archway which I have bashed in (not the archway it was too well built!). I then have about 70% removed two defunct rockery / flower beds that I've always wanted to get rid of and used the soli to level up the areas for the decking. I live on the river so getting materials into my garden is a challenge so not having to get rid of that soil later or bring in materials now is a godsend. A really hard day of work with a mate but progress. He is going to help me do the frame and decking too.