This page is all about how to create a scaffold board decking area which is fully detailed below along with photos and information sent into us from customers who have used our new and reclaimed scaffolding boards to create timber decking at home. Here you will be able to see the great decked areas our customers have created in their garden.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website.
Decking is one of the most popular uses for our new scaffold boards, as they are a brilliant option to use, and this is because you will find they are usually cheaper and longer lasting than the normal decking boards.
If you are good at DIY and have a bit of creative flair, you can make many different types of decked areas in your garden. However, if you are looking for a little inspiration then why not see how other customers have used the boards, by browsing our amazing scaffold board decking images below.
Top tip – We have been informed by numerous customers that the boards must be treated with deck stain and an anti-slip stain! This is because when they get wet, they can be quite slippery.
One of our customers kindly sent us a quick guide on how to build decking with scaffold boards.
Compared to the price of actual decking planks, scaffold boards are cheaper and are also wider than conventional decking, so in fact you would purchase less boards to cover your area. The thickness of each board is also a consideration because the thicker the board the less timber you would need for the framework it would sit on, and we all know how expensive timber can be if you are on a budget for your garden project.
You will need to assess what type of decked area you require, as there are two different types. These are raised decking or having the scaffold board decking sitting on the ground. This will depend on the type of garden area you have, as if you are on a slope then a raised deck would be better suited or if you have a nice level area then the scaffold board decking can be placed onto the ground.
A must purchase for this project is heavy duty weed control fabric, and this should be placed under the framework to ensure that no weeds will grow through the gap of the boards. This fabric will completely block out any sunlight but will still allow water to penetrate through it.
This is the most vital part of the building project. So before laying out your frame, it is recommended that you treat your timber or purchase wood that has already been treated beforehand. Scaffold boards are NOT treated despite being used outdoors and braving the elements.
When making your frame start by creating the outer shell first (popular shapes are square, rectangle or l-shape). Small tip: when cutting the wood to size treat the ends of the cuts with an end grain preservative to ensure all aspects of the timber are treated.
It is recommended you use coach screws to connect the frame together ensuring that all angles are square and level. Once the outer frame has been created, then its time to add the additional lengths of wood either vertically or horizontally with even spacing between each length. Depending on your budget it is recommended you add as many lengths of wood as possible within your frame to ensure your base is strong and sturdy and gives maximum support to the scaffold board decking.
This can be done whilst you are building the frame and adding the supports. This is generally the most time-consuming part of the scaffold decking build, ensuring every area is completely level with one another. Creating a raised decking area off the ground is a little simpler as all you need to do is ensure that the ground is level. There are a few ways to do this depending again on what surface you are working from, for example if the ground is soil, then posts would be cemented into the ground to hold the raised section, or if you are working on a concrete base then you can use padstones or bits of surplus slabs to level the areas that need it. Once level and in place the framework should be solid with no movement. Always remember to have a very slight tilt on your scaffold board decking area for when it rains or gets wet so that the water can drain off the boards rather than sitting and rotting the wood.
Scaffold boards come untreated as standard so it is highly recommended to treat your boards with a good wood treatment, which can be purchased from any DIY store. Treat all areas of the boards to ensure maximum protection and give at least 2 or 3 coats.
Simply place a board where you need it to go and using long decking screws, drill into the framework and supports. When adding additional boards keep a small gap between each board.
Once the scaffold board decking has been laid and secured it is advised to treat them for extra protection again with a decking stain/oil to help prolong their life.
So, there is your DIY guide on how to lay a scaffold board decking platform. If you have any questions about the above, please do ask, however this was sent into us from a customer and is only a very simple how-to guide. We do not take any responsibility for projects that have not worked out in anyway.
Decking is a great British obsession. Homeowners want to make the most of their garden space from the unpredictable British weather and a decking is a great way to do that. More and more people are looking at alternatives to the low-cost, pressure-treated-softwood, grooved decking boards to create a more stylish edge. There are some alternatives out there including solid wood decking boards which give a high-quality finish, and newer composite and PVC boards that offer a low-maintenance approach. These alternative boards give a great finish, but come at a high cost.
So which should you choose?
Personally, I am not a fan of the traditional decking boards. The grooves can hold water and debris and requires a lot of maintenance. Trends within garden design for the last few years are leaning towards clean lines and shapes and which fits less with the traditional style boards, in my opinion. When it came to installing decking in my own garden I knew I wanted to try something different but the high cost of the solid wood and plastic alternatives meant they weren’t viable. This is when I decided to try another decking idea made from scaffolding boards.
Scaffolding boards are inexpensive softwood which can be easily bought anywhere. They are generally twice as wide than a traditional decking boards which to me is much more striking. After a little research I decided it was the way to go and this is how I did it.
Goto Gongde to know more.
(Image credit: Jo Lemos)
Scaffolding boards can be picked up easily at a local timber yard or online. You can purchase the boards untreated or treated dependent on what you want your finish to be like and budget. Treated timber is longer lasting for outdoor use but also tends to be darker in appearance. Untreated white wood is lighter in appearance but will not last long outdoor without some form of treatment. I decided to use untreated as it is lighter in appearance and I was willing to put in more labour at the end to treat the timber so it lasts longer outside myself. I also opted to use boards without the protective metal ends as aesthetically I believe this looks much better.
When building decking you need you need to ensure the structure is built on a solid and level base. To do this I chose to cement posts into the ground which will support the frame of the decking. Luckily my garden is level so this made everything more straight forward. If your garden has a slope then you need to chose a base structure that will work with this.
(Image credit: Jo Lemos)
My decking area is 5 metres by 2.4 metres, half of which will eventually be covered by a summer house. I decided to use six 90x90mm pressure treated posts 2.4 metres long to be cemented into the ground. I dug holes 400mm deep which meant the posts would stick out 2 metres into the air. To make sure all the posts were in the correct position I used string and a builder's square.
(Image credit: Jo Lemos)
Each post was levelled vertically when in its correct position and cemented in place using a quick setting post cement mix that you only need to add water to.
(Image credit: Jo Lemos)
The frame of the decking is attached to the newly cemented posts and this is what the scaffolding decking boards is laid onto. It is really important this is level or otherwise your decking boards wont be level. Before attaching the frame put down a weed barrier under the area your decking will be. Again there is a number of ways to build these frame and it is worthwhile researching for what best suits your situation. Using decking screws I connected the frame to the supporting posts ready for the boards to be placed on top.
(Image credit: Jo Lemos)
I chose the width of my decking as 2.4 metres as this is a standard length for scaffolding boards and require less cutting. I treated the wood with a layer of water repellent wood preserver on all sides and allowed to dry before installing. It is important to do this as scaffolding boards are generally untreated and this will extend the life of your decking.
Using decking screws I secured them to the frame ensuring that the screws flush with the wood to ensure no tripping accidents. As the boards are wider that a standard board the installation process is much quicker.
(Image credit: Jo Lemos)
Scaffolding boards have a rougher finish so I chose to sand them down once they laid to get a smooth surface on top. This isn’t a necessary step and comes down to personal preference but feels much nicer under your feet in my opinion. Using an electric sander I sanded all 24 sq metres and this was without a doubt the most laborious part of the install but definitely worth it.
Once sanded I decided to add two more layers of clear wood preserver but you can doing this with whatever colour decking oil you prefer.
I love how it has turned out and feels like a great alternative to the traditional decking board.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Steel scaffold boards.