Check there are no drainage problems in the area where you plan to build your deck.The deck design must maximise airflow through and around the construction to ensure good ventilation.

Mark out the site accurately and ensure it is square following the diagram below.

Decks can be free standing or attached to the side of a house. When attached to a house the finished deck level must be at least two brick courses below the damp proof course. If this is not practical, a gap must be left between the house and the deck to aid drainage. A ledger board is bolted to the wall and used to carry and support the joists. This can be done by using a 47 x 150mm Timeless Timber joist. The ledger board must be 10mm from the wall to ensure sufficient drainage.

Do not lay ground level decks directly onto grass. Remove all turf and cover the ground with permeable membrane or polythene (with holes pierced) and then gravel to prevent any weeds growing. Lay the framing on concrete paving slabs bedded into position or on an existing level concrete area.

For elevated decks 100 x 100 x 1200mm Timeless Timber structural posts should be used, positioned no more than 1800mm apart. At least half the length of the post should be sunk into the ground and fixed with concrete.

Beams are attached to the posts using Timeless 150mm landscape screws and the joist frame is fixed to the beams by skew nailing or screwing.

The frame is constructed from Timeless 47 x 150mm joist timbers.

Joists should be fixed at 400mm centres for maximum support, using Timeless 100mm landscape screws, galvanised nails or joist hangers.

Noggins (offcuts of joist) are used to prevent the joists from twisting or buckling. These are attached at 90¡ to the joist in a staggered manner at 1200mm centres.

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Points to remember

The Timeless Timber Round Handrail System has been approved by BM TRADA Certification Ltd as suitable balustrading for elevated decks above 600mm.

The maximum recommended length of rails between posts is 2400mm.

The space between spindles must not allow a 100mm ball to pass through.

Newel posts can be fixed to either the inside or outside of the frame. When fitting to the inside, use Timeless 100mm landscape screws and ensure that two faces of the post can be secured through two joists at 90° if possible.

Posts that are fixed to the side of the deck should be half lapped or rebated when on a corner.

Timeless Turned/Timeless Chamfered/Timeless Square/Timeless Stop Chamfered Range

Timeless Turned Spindles (a), Timeless Elliptical Spindles (not shown), Timeless Square Spindles (not shown), Timeless Stop Chamfered Spindles (not shown), Timeless Turned Newel (b) Timeless Universal Rail (c) and Timeless Deck Rail Bolt (not shown).

The versatile Timeless Universal Rail can be utilised as both a top rail and bottom rail.

Determine the height of the Timeless Universal Rail in relation to the Timeless Turned Newel post.

To make this job easier, use a small portion of rail and mark out the profile onto the newel post using a pencil.

You now need to prepare the newel for the Timeless Deck Rail Bolt. Using the template you have drawn on the post, measure down 12mm from the bottom of the lower rail template.

Using a 22mm flat bit, drill the post to a depth of 10mm.

Using a 10mm drill bit, drill down the centre of the 22mm hole to a total depth of 30mm. Using an 8mm hexagonal key, screw the metal insert into the 10mm hole.

Mark and drill all remaining posts in exactly the same way and fix inserts into position.

To determine the finished deckboard level, measure 900mm from the top of the stencilled higher handrail, and mark a line on all four faces of the post.

In order to mark the position on the bottom rail, measure up 75mm from the deckboard level. Again, a small piece of rail should be utilised to mark out the profile onto the newel post.

The spindles can now be fitted to the handrails. Make sure you leave enough room for the metal angle bracket of the deck rail bolt at each end.

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When using the Timeless Universal Rail, spindles are attached to the bottom rail and fillet before attaching the handrail and bottom rail to the newel posts.

To determine the length of spindle needed, use a small section of fillet, insert into the top rail and place against the stencilled profile on the newel post. From the fillet measure down to the bottom stencilled profile and this will give you the length of spindle required. Once you have cut the spindle to the required length, attach them to the bottom rail by using Timeless 75mm screws.

The spindles are attached to the fillet by using a Timeless 50mm screw and screwing down through the fillet into the end of the spindle.

Spindles should be spaced appropriately giving a maximum gap between spindles of 100mm.

Bolt the metal angle bracket of the deck rail bolt to the insert.

You should now be able to fix the spindles and Universal bottom rail to the Universal top rail. Then attach the handrails onto the newel posts by using the Timeless Deck Rail Bolt.

In order to attach the fillet to the handrail securely, you should fix it every 3rd or 4th spindle with Timeless 40mm screws.

You should now have a complete panel of posts, rails and balustrading that can be attached to the joist framework using Timeless 100mm landscape screws. Ideally, fix the newels so that two faces of the post can be secured through two joists at 90°.

Timeless Chamfered Spindles (a), Timeless Patrice Newel (b), Timeless Rail (c) and Timeless Deck Rail Bolt (not shown).

Determine the height of the Timeless Rail in relation to the Timeless Patrice Newel.

To make this job easier, use a small portion of rail and mark out the profile onto the newel post using a pencil.

To determine the finished deckboard level, measure 900mm from the top of the stencilled higher handrail, and mark a line on all four faces of the post.

In order to mark the position on the bottom rail, measure up 75mm from the deckboard level. Again, a small piece of rail should be utilised to mark out the profile onto the newel post.

All other Timeless Patrice Newels and rails should be marked in the same way.

You now need to prepare the newel for the Timeless Deck Rail Bolt. Place the metal angle bracket of the deck rail bolt underneath the template of the rail you have drawn. Mark with a pencil. This is where the bolt will be drilled.

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Using a 22mm flat bit, drill the post to a depth of 10mm.

Using a 10mm drill bit, drill down the centre of the 22mm hole to a total depth of 30mm. Using an 8mm hexagonal key, screw the metal insert into the 10mm hole.

Mark and drill all remaining Timeless Patrice Newels in exactly the same way and fix inserts into position.

The Timeless Chamfered Spindles can now be cut to length and attached to the Timeless Rail using Timeless 40mm screws

Balusters should be spaced at approximately 125mm centres giving a maximum gap between spindles of 100mm.

You should now have a complete panel of posts, rails and balustrading that can be attached to the joist framework using Timeless 100mm landscape screws. Ideally, fix the newels so that two faces of the post can be secured through two joists at 90o.

Using the stencil lines you have already marked on the bottom of the Timeless Patrice Newels, set the panel 75mm above the finished deckboard level.

Bolt the metal angle bracket to the post with the bolt provided.

Installation of the deckboards can now commence.

Small or Large Timeless Grooved Spindles or a combination of both (a), Timeless Square Newel (b), Timeless L-Shaped Rail (c) and Timeless Capping Rail (not shown).

Timeless Square Newels should be set no greater than 2300mm apart and to accommodate a minimum capping handrail height of 900mm.

Timeless Square Newels are attached to the joist framework using Timeless 100mm landscape screws. Ideally, fix the newels so that two faces of the post can be secured through two joists at 90o.

The Timeless Grooved Range allows installation of deckboards before balustrading. Deckboards should be installed at this stage.

Take the Timeless L-Shaped Rail and cut it to your desired length. It can then be fixed to the top of the deckboards by using Timeless 63mm screws.

You can now fix the Timeless L-Shaped Rail using the Timeless Deck Rail Bolt.

The Timeless L-Shaped Rail should sit flush with the top of the post. Mark out the outline with a pencil and then place the metal angle bracket against the outline. Mark where the bolt hole is and using a 22mm flat bit, drill the post to a depth of 10mm.

Using a 10mm drill bit, drill down the centre of the 22mm hole to a total depth of 30mm. Using an 8mm hexagonal key, screw the metal insert into the 10mm hole.

Bolt the metal angle bracket to the post with the bolt provided.

Place the rails in position and fix with screws provided.

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It's now time to cut the Timeless Grooved Spindles to your required length. The spindles can be used on their own or try a combination of large and small to create a modern look. Timeless 40mm screws should be used to attach the spindles, with one screw for the Small Timeless Grooved Spindles, and two for the Large.

The Timeless Capping Rail is used to hide the screw heads. You attach the rail to the newel post by using Timeless 75mm screws, and then secure the Timeless L-Shaped Rail by screwing up into the Timeless Capping Rail using Timeless 50mm screws.

Timeless Round Rail (a), Timeless Round Spindle (b), Timeless Round Newel (c) and Timeless Round Rail Bracket (d).

The Timeless Round Range provides a versatile balustrading option for both ground level, and elevated decks. The range has been tested by BM Trada and meets the additional strength requirements for balustrades on elevated deck over 600mm above ground, where a handrail height of 1100mm is required. To use the Timeless Round Range on a ground level deck, simply cut the spindles to the length required.

Make sure that your Timeless Round Newels are set no more than 2200mm apart and are at the right levels for the minimum handrail heights of 900 or 1100mm.

Timeless Round Newels are attached to the joist framework using Timeless 100mm landscape screws. Ideally, fix the newels so that two faces of the post can be secured through two joists at 90o.

The Timeless Round Range allows installation of deckboards before balustrading. Deckboards should be installed at this stage.

Using a clean, flat area will make the assembly of your Timeless Round Rail and Spindles much easier.

You should now cut your Timeless Round Spindles to the required length. For elevated decks you must ensure that there is a minimum height from the top of the Timeless Round Rail to the deckboards of 1100mm. For ground level deck this height should be 900mm.

The Timeless Round Spindles can now be fixed to the rail using Timeless 75mm screws. Using a spacing guide of 130mm centres, mark and drill the top and bottom rail before fixing the spindles.

Position the panel of rails and spindles between the Timeless Round Newels and make sure that the space between the deckboards and bottom rail is no more than 95mm.

Use Timeless 40mm screws to attach the Timeless Round Rail Bracket to the newel.

Timeless Roman Column (a), Timeless Roman Newel (b) and Timeless Roman Rail (c).

Determine the height of the Timeless Roman Rail in relation to the Timeless Roman Newel post.

To make this job easier, use a small portion of rail and mark out the profile onto the newel post using a pencil.

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Three rails are used when building the Timeless Roman Column Range. The first as a bottom rail, the second as a top rail, and the third is used to conceal screw heads. When marking out the rail profile onto the newel post, stencil two rails on top of each other.

The Timeless Deck Rail Bolt is used to fix the lower of the top two rails to the Timeless Roman Newel.

To determine the finished deckboard level, measure the length of the Column from the top of the stencilled higher handrail, and mark a line on all four faces of the post.

In order to mark the position on the bottom rail, measure up 75mm from the deckboard level. Again, a small piece of rail should be utilised to mark out the profile onto the newel post.

All other Timeless Roman Newel posts and rails should be marked in the same way.

You now need to prepare the newel for the Timeless Deck Rail Bolt. Using the template you have drawn on the post, measure down 12mm from the bottom of the lower rail template. Using a 22mm flat bit, drill the post to a depth of 10mm.

Using a 10mm drill bit, drill down the centre of the 22mm hole to a total depth of 30mm. Using an 8mm hexagonal key, screw the metal insert into the 10mm hole.

All other Timeless Roman Newel posts and rails should be marked in the same way.

The spindles can now be fitted to the handrails. Make sure you leave enough room for the metal angle bracket at each end.

Use Timeless 63mm screws to fix the Timeless Roman Columns to the Timeless Roman Rail.

Columns should be spaced at approximately 185mm centres giving a maximum gap between spindles of 100mm.

Bolt the metal angle bracket to the insert with the bolt provided.

Place the rails in position and fix with screws provided.

The concealing, third handrail can now be fixed from underneath to the top handrail by using Timeless 40mm screws.

You should now have a complete panel of posts, rails and balustrading that can be attached to the joist framework using Timeless 100mm landscape screws. Ideally, fix the newels so that two faces of the post can be secured through two joists at 90o.

Using the stencil lines you have already marked on the bottom of the Timeless Roman Newels, set the panel 75mm above the finished deckboard level. Installation of the deckboards can now commence.

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Timeless Turned Newel (a), Timeless Turned Spindle (b), Timeless Sunrise Panel (c), Timeless Universal Rail (d), (Timeless Crossed Panel not shown)

All panels and spindles are fixed using the Timeless Universal Rail and can be used with any of the posts or newels. The panels can also be used in combination with spindles or by themselves.

Remember that the gap between the panels, posts, spindles and balusters should not allow the passage of a 100mm sphere. Panels should be assembled to rails and posts on a clean flat surface such as a garage floor and fixed to joists as a complete unit.

The versatile Timeless Universal Rail can be utilised as both a top rail and bottom rail.

Determine the height of the Timeless Universal Rail in relation to the Timeless Turned Newel post.

To make this job easier, use a small portion of rail and mark out the profile onto the newel post using a pencil.

You now need to prepare the newel for the Timeless Deck Rail Bolt. Using the template you have drawn on the post, measure down 12mm from the bottom of the lower rail template.

Using a 22mm flat bit, drill the post to a depth of 10mm.

Using a 10mm drill bit, drill down the centre of the 22mm hole to a total depth of 30mm. Using an 8mm hexagonal key, screw the metal insert into the 10mm hole.

Mark and drill all remaining posts in exactly the same way and fix inserts into position.

To determine the finished deckboard level, measure 900mm from the top of the stencilled higher handrail, and mark a line on all four faces of the post.

In order to mark the position on the bottom rail, measure up 75mm from the deckboard level. Again, a small piece of rail should be utilised to mark out the profile onto the newel post.

The panels and spindles can now be fitted to the handrails. Make sure you leave enough room for the metal angle bracket at each end.

When using the Timeless Universal Rail, the panels and spindles are attached to the bottom rail and fillet before attaching the handrail and bottom rail to the newel posts.

To determine the length of spindle needed, use a small section of fillet, insert into the top rail and place against the stencilled profile on the newel post. From the fillet measure down to the bottom stencilled profile and this will give you the length of spindle required. Once you have cut the spindle to the required length, attach them to the bottom rail by using Timeless 75mm screws.

The panels spindles are attached to the fillet by using a Timeless 50mm screw and screwing down through the fillet into the end of the panel/spindle.

Bolt the metal angle bracket to the insert with the bolt provided.

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Boards can be fixed with Timeless 75mm ceramic galvanised screws.

It will often be necessary to join boards along their length. This must always be done over a joist. Use additional sections of joist to increase the area for fixing.

Screw heads should always be countersunk below the surface of the deck to avoid injury to feet. Check these once or twice a season.

Always treat cut ends and drill holes with a suitable end seal preservative.

Timeless 75mm screws allow you to take up a board if necessary, without causing damage.

Deckboards should be pre-drilled before screwing to avoid splitting.

Deckboards should be fixed along their length to every supporting joist using 2 fixings per joist.

Make sure you leave at least 25mm from the ends and edges of the boards when installing the fixings.

Leave a 6 - 9mm gap between each board when installing as it is natural for the deckboards to swell when wet and shrink when dry.