Decking.....what Wood?

[thesecondlaw]

Hi, I'm thinking of putting some decking in the garden. My idea is to take down my shed (8' X 10'), and use the floor of the shed as the base. I then want to put sheet of wood onto shed floor, and lay the decking tiles onto this. Question is, what wood should I use (and what width), and what should I cover it with regarding waterproofing? It won't be a heavy traffic area, just somewhere for wifey and I to sit in the evening. TIA.

[The Builder]

What type of tiles are they?

[thesecondlaw]

I haven't bought them yet, but the ones I like the look of are from B&Q, and are 2 feet square.

[Clanad]

A couple of things... along with builders query about the type of tiles, I would ask if the shed floor is made of waterproofed (treated wood There's a lot of difference between a shed floor that was mounted on something to keep it off the earth and one using that floor in direct contact with the ground.

If, however, you proceed you'd want to use at least 1/2" but more likely 5/8" treated plywood for the base for your tiles. You'd need to make sure everything is non-moveable since, if you're going to use grouted tiles you'll exprience cracking if the substructure isn't strong enough...

[thesecondlaw]

Clanad, the shed appears to be raised off the garden on some sort of framework.

[thesecondlaw]

Also, it appears to be in very good condition, and I'd expect to waterproof in some way before laying wood on top. Thanks

[Clanad]

That's what I would have thought. It's probably laid on cemet blocks and not in direct contact with damp earth. If you lay that directly onto the ground as the base for your tiles and if it isn't treated, it woun't last very long...

[thesecondlaw]

Clanad, sorry if I mislead you. The "tiles" are in fact wooden squares, not ceramic ones. Tiles was probably the wrong word to use.

[The Builder]

Unless the shed floor is really sturdy, any deflection in the floor would be a problem with tiles over it. If it is solid, then tile directly.

If it is rather bouncy, then it would certainly be better to overlay the shed floor with joists first, spaced at 400mm centres. Something like 100 x 50mm (4 x 2) or 2 x 4 as Clanad would know it . ;o)

The tiles could then be fixed to the joists. No overboarding needed.

[Bathsheba]

just popping in to give a bit of advice.....when you're in B+Q, and bloke asks if you want decking,.....make sure you get first punch in.....

Baths
x x

[The Builder]

You having one of your "heads", Baths? ;o)

[Bathsheba]

Yep, I've had an adventure today ...you'll have to check out FB ;)

Sorry, secondlaw for hijack.....:)

x x x

[-Talbot-]

I think seconlaw is talking about decking tiles.

[-Talbot-]

secondlaw
Question Author
Clanad, sorry if I mislead you. The "tiles" are in fact wooden squares, not ceramic ones. Tiles was probably the wrong word to use.


oops

[Khandro]

I don't understand why you want to utilise the old shed floor, why not scrap it along with the shed, lay down some gravel and sand, tamp it down, and lay the slabs straight on to it?

[thesecondlaw]

Khandro, at least I would then know that it was level. Thanks for all your responses