Registered Building Practitioner
Bayside Construction Company Pty Ltd logo
Outdoor Construction Specialists
0423 224 016
Attention to detail

As outdoor structures are constantly exposed to the elements, it is important that the necessary steps are taken to ensure works will maintain the same visual appearance as the day they were built; and also to make sure the structural elements within each job will not distort or change shape over time.Through using quality materials and workmanship, we can achieve a finished product which will look great ... and stay that way for many years to come.
Here, we provide short descriptions of materials that should and should not be used within your outdoor structure.

When should I seal my deck? What should I use?
We recommend Cutec as a sealant for all non treated outdoor timbers due to its low toxicity and it’s above average maintenance free periods. Cutec is designed to penetrate and seal timber and can prevent warping and cupping. We recommend two coats be applied: one immediately after timber is erected and the other two weeks later.

FastenersWhat type of nails and fasteners should be used on my outdoor structure?
Galvanised or stainless steel nails must be used in all outdoor structures due to there weather resistant properties. Galvanised nails and hardware are processed through a series of coating treatments which once completed make them weather proof and thereby greatly reducing there susceptibility to rust. This process makes this hardware more expensive than non galvanised nails and hardware, but is crucial to the long life of the nails and of the structure to which they are fastened with.

Decking fastenersStainless steel fasteners and hardware:
Stainless steel nails and hardware should be used in all corrosive environments such as coastal areas. We recommend the use of stainless steel decking nails in all decking applications as a precautionary measure in case of deck requiring re-sanding and re-finishing later into its life. As stainless steel nails are not “coated” as galvanised nails are, when given a light sanding there is no degradation of coating (as there is with galvanised nails) therefore there is no chance of nails being susceptible to rust.

Is there a specific type of concrete which should be used in conjunction with my outdoor construction?
Correct concrete must be used on all structural members e.g stumps and load bearing points (at least 20mpa). Rapid set concrete should be avoided in most instances as it does not carry a structural rating. Concrete pads used under stumps supporting floor loads only must be at least 150mm deep.

Is rough sawn timber adequate for use within my outdoor structure?
Rough sawn timber is timber that is not kiln dried and arrives at its suppliers still wet or “green”. Many decks and pergolas are built using this timber and it can cause big problems once it dries out. As it dries it can pull with it nails or fixings thereby cracking the decking boards. It can also change shape during the drying process thereby changing the shape of the structure it is incorporated in.

What decking fasteners should be used on my timber decking?
While both 70mm and 90mm timber decking boards can be fastened using “pneumatic” air guns, 140 mm boards are susceptible to cupping and distorting and thereby should fixed by “hand nailing” or being screwed to joists.

What are the ventilation requirements for my decking structure?
All decking structures should have at least 150mm clearance between the underside of the bearer and the ground or foundation it is built from.