Decking materials

Decking materials can broken down into four sections:

1. Deck frame – structural timber joists and bearers
2. Decking – deckboards
3. Deck hardware – decking screws, decking nails, joist hangers etc
4. Handrail – balustrade and deck railing

1. Deck Frame

Structural timber joists and bearers

Pine is commonly used for structural timber joists and bearers. All pine used in deck building should treated. There are six levels of treatment.

H3 treatment, which is classified for outside use and above ground, is commonly used in deck building. For more information concerning treated timber, please click here.

A deck frame must be built to comply with the deck specifications and span tables according to the Australian Residential Timber-Framed Construction Standard, AS 1684 (The Framing Code). This sets out the maximum timber joist spacing.

2. Decking – deckboards

There are three broad groups of decking, being hardwood decking, treated pine decking and composite decking. Please refer to the table below.

3. Deck hardware

Decking screws, decking nails, joist hangers

All hardware used in deck building should be either galvanised steel or stainless steel.

To fix the decking to the deck frame we only use and recommend decking screws, as opposed to decking nails.

Decking nails have a tendency to lift over time, whilst deck screws generally hold for the life of the deck.

4. Handrail, Balustrade and Deck Railing

Handrail, balustrade and deck railings must comply with the Building Code of Australia. This states that decks which are less than one metre off the ground do not require handrails. However, for safety and visual reasons a handrail can complete your deck.

Decks that are more than one metre off the ground, must have a deck handrail, balustrade or deck railing.

There are many different styles of handrails including steel handrails, stainless steel handrails, stainless steel railings, timber vertical slats, glass fencing.