Deck Building Tips

• Don't cut your deck planking to length before fixing it to the deck frame.  To avoid having plank ends that are not flush with each other, screw all the planking in place, mark out the edge line, then cut all to the same length with a circular saw.
  
  
• When cutting material for the deck remember the old saying - 'measure twice, cut once'. It minimises the chance of cutting material too short.
  
  

• If you are screwing deck boards to the frame, and drilling countersink holes, remember to seal them before screwing down, to keep the boards waterproof.

• When you seal or stain the planking, remember to include the end grain, even if you are going to fit a decorative edge that will conceal it.