Which Timber Installation is best for your home?
In your home there are many different tasks that can involve the use of timber. Whether you’re building a new out building, or just renewing an old, and tatty fence, it is important to use the right timber for the job.
Depending what task is being carried out, different grades of timber are required. The higher the grade the stronger the timber is. As an example, floor, and roof joists, require a minimum grading of c16.
FENCING-Fencing in your garden, and surrounding areas of your home doesn’t necessarily need a specific grade of timber, but it is always better to use a graded product for peace of mind. Rather than having fence panels, you can have feather edge fencing which, more than often works out cheaper, and can be just as easy to install. Start off by placing the treated posts on average 2.4mtr apart, join together with treated rails I.e. (3×2) or (4×2), and then nail, or screw feather edge boards straight to the rails, but remember to overlap each length so as not to leave any gaps. It is recommended to treat the timber twice a year to ensure you maximise their lifespan.
DECKING-Decking can be a great way to make your garden clean cut, contemporary, and easier to maintain. If you are placing timber on a solid surface such as concrete, or slabs, (4×2) timbers as a base will be adequate, but if on a soft surface (6×2) timber will more than likely be needed. Any offcuts of timber can be used as noggins in-between the joist that have already been situated to help increase the strength of your decking. After the base is finished it is as simple as cutting decking to the required lengths and screwing it in to place. The lifespan of decking is hard to determin, but if treated on a regular basis, and well maintained, it will still be standing in years to come.
FLAT ROOFING-when working with a flat roof it is very important that the timber joists that are being used, are of the correct size to take the weight needed. For small flat roofs generally the smallest timber that can be used would be (6×2) c16 grading, but as the span of your roof increases, so will the sizes of timber. After the joists are down they can be covered with many different ply boards or OSB boards. Once this has been completed it is up to you, how you would like to finish it off, whether this be felt or fibre glass.