Details are everything with exposed decks

It is a popular misconception that timber decks are a simple structure. Nothing could be further from the truth. For them to succeed when there is no roof requires that the designer and the builder attend to a myriad of small points of detail.

You will learn these from this course

Your Presenter's experience


You can tap into Ted's over 40 years experience, first as a manufacturer and now as a consultant advising on timber durability. Ted also has published arguably the best guide to the subject which is available as a bump up when you purchase this course.

Ted's family business was sawmilling and did everything from logging through to produced kiln dried flooring. In 1997 he established Outdoor Structures Australia and specialised weather exposed timber structures such as boardwalk. decks and bridges. He took what he learned building commercial structures and adapted his patentes systems to developed market leading domestic systems as well.



Have you considered slip resistance?


The surface finish is critical. Many products will not meet basic slip resistance requirements.

Have you considered fastener damage?

You will lean that there is a right and a wrong way to fix your decking to the joists. common building practices can drastically shorten the subframe life.

Non-timber options can be more troublesome

Some think that by using alternate materials for their subframe that they solve all the problems. In reality you may be swapping known problems with ones that are harder to solve

Example Curriculum

  Introduction
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  Lesson 1. Understanding the resources needed to design a deck well
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  Lesson 2. Understanding the factors affecting deck specification Part 1, what species, size, and profile to use
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  Lesson 3. Understanding the factors affecting deck specification Part 2, what quality. moisture content, slip resistance, and treatment to use
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  Lesson 4. Understanding the factors affecting joist specification and alternate joist material
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  Lesson 5. Understanding best practice in deck construction
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  Lesson 6. Understanding finishing and decks close to the ground
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  Concluding remarks
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Why do you need this course?



This deck I saw in Osaka, Japan was laid with the reeds upwards. It was so slippery that it was barricaded and had security guards keeping people from walking on it. Designing to meet slip resistance is just one of the things you will learn in this course.