deck VIP Here’s how

Use treated pine sleepers to make the most of an unused corner in your backyard.

Gather your supplies

• Joists and joist

supports 200 x 75mm treated pine sleepers • Decking 200 x 50mm treated pine sleepers

You’ll also need

Shovel; spirit level; stringline; sliding bevel; power saw; 10mm plastic spacers; power plane; drill; 5mm drill bit; countersink bit; 100mm galvanised batten screws; chalkline; broom; lambswool applicator; decking stain

STEP 1 To support joists, lay sleepers flat at ends of deck. For slightly sloping sites, as here, support joists at low side of slope and dig narrow trenches for other end so joist will sit level. Install all the joists, making sure they are level along their length and with each other.

STEP 2 Run stringline along end of deck where decking will finish. To determine angle to cut on end of first decking sleeper where it meets brick wall, hold sliding bevel against stringline and set blade to meet brick wall. Transfer to end of first decking sleeper and cut along this line. STEP 3 Place decking on joist so edge meets stringline. Use a 10mm plastic spacer between cut end and brick wall. To cut other end of decking where it will join with next sleeper, mark the line of the centre of the joist closest to the end. Cut this angle. STEP 4 Chamfer edges of top face of decking using a power plane at an angle. STEP 5 Reposition first sleeper to meet stringline. Cut 1 end of next sleeper to suit angle at join. Measure from join to brick wall at other side of deck, allowing for a 10mm gap from decking to wall. Use sliding bevel against stringline to determine angle to cut on this end of sleeper.

STEP 6 Predrill with 5mm bit, countersink and screw decking to joists with 100mm batten screws.

STEP 7 Cut and lay decking along rest of deck with a 10mm gap between sleepers. Cut angles on ends to suit brick walls and also where decking joins on joists. Stagger joins to avoid creating a seam of joins along a joist.

STEP 8 Use chalkline to mark top of decking with line of centre of joists under. Predrill, countersink and screw decking to joists. Sweep to remove chalk lines and sawdust.

STEP 9 Use a lambswool applicator to apply 2 coats of decking stain, allowing to dry after each coat.