How to lay decking

You will need:
• String and wooden pegs
• Black plastic sheeting
• Gravel
• Screws, hammer, saw and nails
• Four joists of exterior-grade timber (£4.48 each, B&Q)
• Exterior-grade floor beams (£4.48 each, B&Q)
• Pre-treated decking boards (£11 per board, B&Q)

Step-by-step guide
1) Level the ground and outline the area to be decked with string and wooden pegs. Lay black plastic sheeting covered in gravel to prevent weeds growing under the decking.

2) Nail together the four joists to create a frame the same size as the outlined area. Strengthen the joins with screws. Next, cut your floor beams to the same length as the frame and position them parallel to one another at 400mm intervals inside the frame. Secure the beams using three 75mm screws per beam end.

3) Lay the decking boards on the frame, at right angles to the beams, so you can work out the best way to use the boards with minimal cutting. Cut boards to the lengths required. Place the first board flush with the edge of the joist at the front of the deck and fix using two 50mm screws. Fix the remaining boards in the same way, leaving a 3mm gap between each one.

4) Finish off by concealing the joists with a deck board used as a fascia.

5) Treat your decking with a product such as Sadolin Decking Stain and Preserver (£26.99 for 2.5ltr, Focus) to protect it from sunlight, water damage and mould.

See more garden ideas, and browse our garden galleries.

Chosen by House to home