Building a Timber Deck

After the first warm days of the year, building a deck is high on the to-do list of many DIY enthusiasts. After all, who does not enjoy a barbecue on their own deck in fine weather? With YouTube tutorials & other guides, building a deck is achievable even without professional training: a little skill and good preparation make it possible to do the work yourself.

Have you decided to build a timber deck? The checklist below shows which essential tools you should have in your toolbox so that you are well prepared.

Tape measure	Measure lengths and widths
Mason's line	Mark out the work area Set the required heights
Spirit level	Align and level the supporting structure Mark straight cutting lines
Water level	Determine and level out differences in height
Marker pencil	Mark cutting lines & measuring points Note measurements & calculations Tip: Choose a marker that remains visible on wet slabs
90° square (folding)	Align surfaces at right angles
Hammer	Drive in boundary stakes or rods
Chalk line or line laser	Mark heights and lengths on structures, such as the edge of the house Mark cutting lines on projecting parts
Safety knife	Cut materials such as film and packaging safely
Mortar trowel or bricklaying trowel	Spread loose material under the supporting structure
Pilot drill with countersink and adjustable depth stop	Prevent cracks and splits when driving screws Countersink the screw head without splintering
Spacers for laying deck boards	Keep the gaps between deck boards even and visually appealing Ensure effective ventilation & drainage by keeping the boards from resting directly on the supporting structure
Decking screws	Tip: Rust-resistant decking screws made from hardened C1 stainless steel Length at least 2.5x the thickness of the deck board being fixed A special cutting notch helps position the screw accurately & prevents cracks and splits Milling ribs beneath the screw head make countersinking easier
Torx screwdriver bit	Drive screws securely without the bit slipping Avoid sharp edges caused by damage to the screw head, which can occur with cross-head screws
Cordless drill/driver	Drill holes and drive screws with less fatigue Increase your range of movement Avoid cables that can become a trip hazard Tip: 2 batteries help avoid inconvenient downtime Choose a 12V drill/driver with at least 4Ah or an 18V model, also with 4Ah, and high torque
Circular saw	A cordless tool avoids trip hazards from cables & provides greater freedom of movement A fine-toothed wood blade minimises chipping and fraying
Jigsaw	A cordless tool avoids trip hazards from cables & provides greater freedom of movement Cut curves, notches and projecting parts or structural components A fine-toothed jigsaw blade that is not too long (50-75 mm) minimises chipping and fraying & enables straight cuts
File	Break or chamfer cut edges to avoid splinters and achieve a clean finish Ideally, use a 200 mm half-round file so you can work on curves as well
Personal protective equipment for working on and cutting building materials	Hearing protection Safety glasses Gloves

Which tools had you already thought of, and which had not occurred to you? You often only notice what is missing once you have started. Finding it then causes unnecessary delays and frustration. As making a quick decision under time pressure can be difficult, our shop offers tools with excellent value for money. You can order comfortably from home, and we are happy to answer your questions to help make your project a success.

Building a Timber Deck

Subscribe to the newsletter