A decking decision

[lockers]

I am looking at building a deck that will be joined to the side of the house and patio. It will be low so I was tossing up as to whether I was going to build a wooden deck or lay a concrete slab. The design would include a sunken section in one corner of the deck.
The wooden deck would include bearers attached to metal stirrups so a good deal of excavation work would be required as the current ground level in only 30cm below the part of the patio I want to match it to. Would I be better off going with the concrete option and using waffle pods to cut down on the amount of concrete required. Also with the waffle pods is steel reinforcing required for the slab.

If I went with the timber option would 90 x 90mm treated pine suffice for the bearers?
I have used the decking calculator tool that is on this forum which was great but I was looking at which method of deck would be the most cost effective.

Deck Dimensions would be 6070mm x 6600

[barney118]

Being so low to the ground you need to consider airflow and drainage, also do you currently have weep holes and termimesh in the brickwork? Will rhese get covered to allow concealed entry of termites with either option? I would think concrete would be better. Any pics if the area?


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[Bloss]

In Canberra timber a likely choice - drainage important and airflow too, but Canberra is a pretty dry climate despite the last couple of years of wetter weather.

Termites need constant vigilance in any case - and treated timber is a must too.

[TermiMonster]

To increase ground clearance, you can use bearers and joists at same level, so the joists are hung between the bearers using joist hangers. Do a search on these forums for low level decks if you don't understand what I mean.
As far as the Termimesh goes, screw the board adjacent to the house, so it can be removed for inspecion, (if necessary) or even leave a gap (25mm or so) ??
cheers
TM

[Bloss]

To increase ground clearance, you can use bearers and joists at same level, so the joists are hung between the bearers using joist hangers. Do a search on these forums for low level decks if you don't understand what I mean.
As far as the Termimesh goes, screw the board adjacent to the house, so it can be removed for inspecion, (if necessary) or even leave a gap (25mm or so) ??
cheers
TM


:whs: I leave a gap - only needs to be 10mm - so you can see any tracks or mud tunnels.