- Screws – In addition to securing nails into the joists, driving screws into your deckboards is one way to reinforce the strength of your deck. Tip: As you drive in the new screws, be sure to stand or kneel on your deckboards to bring them as close as possible to the joists.
- Cross braces – Divide up the sway of deckboards by installing cross braces between posts and beams. Not only will this triangle make the deck rigid, it will also strengthen and support the horizontal beam.
- Solid stringer supports – By adding solid stringers to the two outside stringers, you will greatly strengthen your stairs.
- Joist hangers – Install joist hangers with galvanised nails to secure them to the ledger strips and beams, or alternatively drive wedges of timber into the gap that may have formed to maximise strength.
Theres nothing like a home grown product such as spotted gum. what a beautiful timber deck it makes.
Bamboo decking is a great alternative to traditional timbers. Being sustainable and renewable is becoming more and more important to the masses and this is where bamboo shines. Growing can be as fast as 1 meter per day, and being a grass, bamboo is simply cut and then it regrows from the same stem which means there is minimal disturbance to the soil beneath. With a Janka hardness rating of 15.8 it is the second strongest timber available. So look after our planet and choose a bamboo timber for your next deck. For more information and to see our full range of bamboo decking products visit http://ecobuildingservices.com.au/bamboo-decking