MAN Magazine Summer 2019

DIY
Step 14 - Insert 6mm x 100mm screws through
the holes in the wall plate and hang galvanised or
plastic washers on the end. Use enough washers
to ensure a 10mm gap between the wall and the
wall plate.
Step 4 - Measure 75mm from each side of the
join and mark the wood. Then measure 150mm
from each side of the join and again, mark the
wood. From each of the four marks, use a set
square to draw a straight vertical line.
Adding Internal Joists
Step 1 - To work out how many internal joists
are needed, measure 400mm from the centre
of the external joists and draw a mark. Measure
Step 15 - Hand tighten the screws into the wall
plugs before using a drill and driver bit to secure
them. If there is an obstacle repeat this process to
attach the second plate to the wall.
Step 5 - Mark two evenly spaced pilot holes
onto each of the lines you have drawn. Drill pilot
holes using a 6mm wood drill bit. Secure with
100mm screws. Countersink the screws if you
are adding fascia boards. Then, move your joists
into position.
from this mark and repeat at 400mm intervals
across the rest of the joist, making sure you never
exceed the recommended spacing.
Step 2 - Once you know how many internal joists
Assembling the Frame
you need, you can measure and cut accordingly.
Step 1 - If your decking is going to be longer than
the decking joists, you will need to join two sections
together. If you don’t need to join your joists then
move them into position and skip to step 6.
Step 6 - The frame should be at the required
level before fixing, so place risers, paving slabs
or treated offcuts of timber at 500mm intervals,
then check with a spirit level. Also check that the
corners are square using a set square.
Step 3 - If you need to extend your internal joists,
follow the same method as you did to join the
external joists but with the addition of an extra
600mm section on the opposite side, to sandwich
Step 2 - To join your joists, start by measuring
and cutting the section you need to reach the
required length.
Step 7 - To join the frame, mark and drill pilot
holes before fixing two external grade 150mm
timber drive screws into each corner. If you are
adding a fascia then you will need to countersink
the screws.
the joist in place. Offset the bolts slightly so they
don’t come into contact.
Step 4 - Secure the joist in your workbench and
Step 3 - Measure and cut a 600mm section and
mark at 300mm to show where the centre point
is. Secure the three sections in your workbench or
saw horse, ensuring that the 300mm mark lines
up with the join in the joists.
Step 4 - Measure 75mm from each side of the
Step 8 - If some corners of the decking are hard
to access, secure the joists by drilling skewed
pilot holes at a 45-degree angle into the wood
and fix with 100mm external grade screws. Once
the frame is secure, double check that it is at the
required level.
attach a joist hanger to each end using 30mm
exterior screws.
Step 5 - To secure the joist to the frame, place it
into position with the centre of the joist lining up
with the 400mm spacer mark. The joist needs to
sevenstarmedia.co.uk
20
MAN MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019