Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
TIMBER PATH AND ENTRYWAY
Gather your supplies
Joists 90 x 45mm H3 treated pine
Posts 90 x 90mm H4 treated pine
Ba ens 70 x 35mm H3 treated pine
Decking 86 and 135 x 19mm spoed gum
You’ll also need Mitre saw; drill; 5 and 8mm masonry drill bits; blue wall plug roll; 100 and 85mm galvanised baen screws; circular saw; concrete mix; 4mm plastic spacers; countersinking drill bit; 50mm stainless steel decking screws; exterior decking oil; painting equipment
Here’s how
STEP 1 Use mitre saw to cut joists to go against outside edge of patio and square it off. Hold against side of patio so top edge is 35mm above it. Drill holes for screws through the timber using a 5mm masonry bit. This will go through the timber but also mark the patio. Remove timber, then use an 8mm masonry drill bit to make holes for plugs. Insert blue plug from a roll and cut off flush with patio. Reposition timber, then screw through timber into spaghei using 100mm baen screws. STEP 2 At outside corner where joists meet, dig a 300mm-deep hole below them for a post. Use a circular saw to cut 80mm high and 45mm deep rebates on the end of a post on 2 adjacent sides and cut to length. Place post so rebates fit over corner where joists meet. Screw post to timber using 85mm baen screws, then mix concrete and place in hole around post.
STEP 3 Cut and fix baens to patio, spacing evenly but not exceeding 400mm apart. Drill, plug and screw baens as you did for joists on the sides. Also screw through the joists into the baens for extra support.
STEP 4 Construct frame for wide timber path leading from the garden path. Screw frame into patio at one end and support on posts at the other. If required, install extra posts along the path if long enough to provide additional support. Make the level of the frame so the step up and down at either end is the same.
STEP 5 Install joists in frame so they align with baens on patio. This will ensure lines of your screws are straight. Continue building frame for step around the front of the patio, using posts to support the outside of the frame.
STEP 6 Cut decking to fit across path and patio. Position boards, using spacers to create even gaps in between. Predrill decking with a countersinking drill bit, then screw into place with decking screws. As you work, check decking is square to path and slightly adjust gap between lengths to make square.
STEP 7 At corners of step, stagger ends of boards to form a herringbone paern, installing extra blocks to support ends of boards. Aach 135mm wide decking around sides of path and patio to cover framing. STEP 8 Apply 2 coats of decking oil to patio, path and steps. Let dry aer each.