About 6 months ago (laughingly called summer here in the UK) my aunty wanted a deck to replace a patio that had been destroyed during some building work they had had done.

Here's how I did it!

Step 1: On the Slippery Slop to Nowhere

The amount of in-fill you'd need to level this area would be tons.

You can see the slope by following the line of bricks along.

Most sensible way to create a level seating area is a raised deck.

Step 2: First the Posts and Joists ( the Bits Your Deck Is Going to Sit On)

The first thing is to dig the holes for the posts which are 4 inch square by 8 foot long. (a bit long but they can be cut down later.

The holes are about 18 inches deep and when the posts are leveled upright the holes are filled with concrete.

Then, using the thrubolts, attach one length of 6x2 joist to the wall making sure its level.
Go around the posts screwing on the rest of the joists with the coach screws to the posts.

Using the joist hangers, criss cross between the outside joists with lots of extra joists.
The more you use the less it will bounce when you are having your non-thin friends around!

Joist hangers just nail on, couldn't be simpler.

Step 3: Time to Get Layin'

Now its starting to take shape. YEAH.

First we want to put something underneath the deck to stop weeds, triffids or "illegal plants" from sprouting and growing up through it.

You can get special fabric but I use old plastic bags. Nothing like recycling.....

Now start screwing down your boards on to your joists. I used specially coated screws so they wouldn't rust but hey, its a free world.

When you put the second one up to it you want to leave a space for rain to drain off and so you can loose coins and keys!

The best way to keep a regular gap is to use carefully designed, purpose made spacers.

Or a couple of off cuts that look right.
Whatever!

Step 4: How to Stop the Daleks From Conquering the World

Now to get technical (for me).

The pointy bits of wood that look like giant saw teeth from the previous pics (remember those?) are screwed on to the posts and short lengths of deck are screwed on top to make steps. (hence the dalek pun. Don't get it? Never mind)

You can buy the top and bottom rails and uprights for between the posts for the classy look and to stop your mates falling off it when they've been supping the sauce!

They are dead easy to screw on especially when you've done such a good job of concreting in the posts.

Finishing touches;

Lights

Step 5: All Done. Enjoy.

If your eyes are the windows to your soul then lights are,.......well, still lights i guess.

Anyway, easy enough to do. The lights come as a kit with everything prewired.

Just drill holes the right size, drop the leds in stainless steel holders in and turn on.

Voila'