Step four

Laying the decking on the seat frame

Begin by fixing the two outside decking boards in place. Start from the corner of the seat, (A-B in seat frame drawing in the previous page), keep the decking boards flush with the sides of the seat frame and slightly overhang them at each end, to be trimmed off later.

If the corners of the seat are at right angles (square), then the angle cuts required on the decking boards, at that corner, will be 45degrees, but if the corners of the seat are anything other than right angles, then that angle will be the line from A to B as shown in the seat frame drawing in the previous page.

Next lay and fix the 3 intermediate decking boards in the same way as the two outside boards ensuring the gaps between them are even.

Trim the off the ends of the decking boards flush with the ends of the seat frame.

Finish by fixing a decking board, on edge, around the perimeter of the seat.
Use only galvanized nails throughout the construction of the seat. 90mm (3 1/2") long nails for the frame and 60mm (2 1/2") long nails for the decking board. The decking boards will need to be drilled before being nailed.

Material quantities

Because the length of the seat is unknown (depending on the length of the deck and personal preference etc) the material quantities are worked out in 1500mm (5ft) lengths as that is the spacing of the posts.

Materials per 1500mm (5ft) length:

Hardwood decking 90x18 (3/4" x 3 1/2") - 11 meters (36ft) of

65x45 (1 1/2" x 2 1/2") treated framing - 5 meters (17ft) of

90x90 (3 1/2" x 3 1/2") treated post - 0.5 meters (20") of

12mm (1/2") galvanized bolts and straps - 2 of each