How to build a excellent outdoor patio part 1

A patio is a great supplement to any rnhome. Not only will it give you the extra living space but it rncan also be a excellent focal point withrn your visitors and friends. A real ice breaker or rnconversation starter. If its created the right rnway it can also add considerable value to your home. Decking rnisn't suited for all areas though, specially rnshaded areas. Whenever creating a deck you should rnalways use pre treated softwood or hardwood. Time to finish job: 2-3 days Estimated budget: Is dependent on the rnsizing of your terrace. Decking panels and rnjoist ledgers and noggins cost about £10 per 3.6m (12ft), each. What you need:Pegs and string Weed-suppressant membrane Chart pieces of paper and pen Spade Joists ledger & noggins 47mm x 150mm (2in x 6in) Decking panels 28mm x 145mm (1 1/8in x 5 1/2in) Fine-toothed saw Hammer & screwdriver Screws & nails 6mm (1/4in) spacers Preparing: Mark out the planned spot and set out your rnfurniture to see if it's big enough. Choose a location to capture the sun at the rntimes of day when you will want to use the deck - south-westerly facing is usually a good rnselection but also consider the outlook, whether you rnwill be overlooked, and the prevailing wind gusts. Avoid any drains, subterranean pipework and cables. rnAssess to see whether planning permission is needed. Draw a scale plan and estimate the rnresources you will need. Suggestion: This information rnidentifies the construction of a rnbasic rectangular terrace rnattached to the house, but you may rnconsider covering a deck around the corner of your house, rnaround a tree, or siting it away from the house entirely. Once you have got a rnattractive new deck, you'll have to rnmemorialize with an patio rnevent. Action 1: Organizing the site. Clear away vegetation to plan the rnsite, then mark out the location with pegs and string, making sure it's rnrectangular. Lie a deck cloth over the rnearth to prevent weeds rising up through the deck in rnthe future. The textile can be pegged or weighed down with rncement, paving slabs or grit. The composition for a patio rnreally should be set onto concrete foundations rnrather than right onto the land. You can rneither lay down concrete for this or more easily utilizing concrete paving rnslabs. If using slabs, set them in a grid structure with rneach slab located approximately rn1400mm (4ft 7in) from the next - these will support the timber joists that hold the rnpanels. Next, lay squares of bitumen DPC membrane over the concrete or paving slabs before laying the patio timbers. Suggestion: Use a spirit level to make certain rnthat the deck softly slopes away from the rnhouse. For every metre of deck there really rnshould be a 10mm drop. Action 2: Attaching a ledger to the property. Add a ledger joist to the wall using spacers for venting and drainage. This sets the level for your deck which must be at the very least 150mm (6in) below the damp proof course (DPC). Fix strongly as the ledger is load-bearing - the best technique will vary with respect to your property's construction so seek rnguidance.