Gringo
6th May 2012, 11:47 AM
Hi,
I am in the process of converting a covered deck into an interior space. It is a rectangle space along the 8.5m width of the house, and runs about 3.5m deep. Its up on stumps (lower than the house, so closer to the ground than ideal). I put in jarrah 130mm tng for the decking, as I though I may be closing it off in the future (yet to be treated with anything). I ran french doors along the whole 8.5m, parallel to the back of the house (all fixed except the centre pair).
The problem is that the floorboards run outwards, and and stick out about 90mm past the outside walls (as the decking would naturally stick out about 45mm past the joist). I liked how this sill looks, however I later found this acts as a wick for the wood to pull water into the interior space (regardless of how much silicon was put in!). I now realise I should have chopped the ends, and build the wall up off the joists. However this is not really an economical/time-permitting option anymore, leading to my question:
What is the best way to seal the wood ends off to water?
I have had both prime/paint and marine varnish recommended from the shops. Which would be better, or is there another option? Regardless, I will put flashing down over it to handle the brunt of Perth's winter rains (Stratco can custom build to spec for pretty cheap), but I also want to directly treat the wood in the best way as well. I plan on cutting the ends back to the joist, leaving only a 45mm lip so I can run the flashing down to the bottom of the joist. I will also cut out under the french door opening and put in a proper threshold.
The secondary question is, will I always have a moisture problem here even if I do the above? If so, I can treat the interior floorboards with and exterior finish that can handle a bit of moisture. The enclosure has a bit of an indoor/outdoor feel, so it wouldn't look too silly with this finish, but the interior coatings always seem more lush.
I am in the process of converting a covered deck into an interior space. It is a rectangle space along the 8.5m width of the house, and runs about 3.5m deep. Its up on stumps (lower than the house, so closer to the ground than ideal). I put in jarrah 130mm tng for the decking, as I though I may be closing it off in the future (yet to be treated with anything). I ran french doors along the whole 8.5m, parallel to the back of the house (all fixed except the centre pair).
The problem is that the floorboards run outwards, and and stick out about 90mm past the outside walls (as the decking would naturally stick out about 45mm past the joist). I liked how this sill looks, however I later found this acts as a wick for the wood to pull water into the interior space (regardless of how much silicon was put in!). I now realise I should have chopped the ends, and build the wall up off the joists. However this is not really an economical/time-permitting option anymore, leading to my question:
What is the best way to seal the wood ends off to water?
I have had both prime/paint and marine varnish recommended from the shops. Which would be better, or is there another option? Regardless, I will put flashing down over it to handle the brunt of Perth's winter rains (Stratco can custom build to spec for pretty cheap), but I also want to directly treat the wood in the best way as well. I plan on cutting the ends back to the joist, leaving only a 45mm lip so I can run the flashing down to the bottom of the joist. I will also cut out under the french door opening and put in a proper threshold.
The secondary question is, will I always have a moisture problem here even if I do the above? If so, I can treat the interior floorboards with and exterior finish that can handle a bit of moisture. The enclosure has a bit of an indoor/outdoor feel, so it wouldn't look too silly with this finish, but the interior coatings always seem more lush.