ud83dudcda Wood Deck Build Log u2014 3 of 19
u2190 Design #13: Floor Board Layout u00b7 Series Index u00b7 Design #15: 3D CAD Drawings u2192
2026 Update from DIY Dad: Final Planning Phase u2014 Preparing for Construction
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The latter half of the planning phase. Planning continued through 2018, but the final design was locked in and construction preparations were complete. The major design change was switching the structural skeleton material to steel scaffold pipe.
Why Steel Scaffold Pipe for the Skeleton
I changed the skeleton from the originally planned aluminum square tube to steel scaffold pipe (u03a648.6 mm). The reasons were cost reduction and ease of sourcing. Scaffold pipe is available cheaply at any home center and can be freely assembled with clamps.
The downside is that it can rust, but this is addressed with a rust-proof paint coat before construction. The structural strength is also more than adequate u2014 it’s a proven choice for wood deck skeletons.
Final Design Specifications
DIY Dad’s final confirmed wood deck specifications:
- Decking: Serangan Batu hardwood, 20 mm thick u00d7 120 mm wide
- Skeleton: Steel scaffold pipe + clamps
- Deck floor size: 4.5 m wide u00d7 2.4 m deep
- Roof: Polycarbonate corrugated sheet (pergola structure)
- Railing / fence: Serangan Batu hardwood
- Stairs: 2 steps
The long planning period meant very few construction mistakes. “Take your time planning and build it right” rather than “rush in and fail” is the DIY Dad way.
Timing Your Material Orders
Hardwood is purchased from online specialty stores, and lead times can be 1u20132 weeks. The best approach is to place the order before construction starts so the wood arrives just as the skeleton is going up.
Design Log
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Hi, I’m DIY Dad.
Continuing with the exterior renovation series. The floor board layout for the wood deck is complete.
u2191 Overall layout image
With the overall image ready, it’s time to work out the cost estimate. First, let me tally up the materials:
Columns u2014 Super Light 700 steel pipe:
- 2,550 mm u00d7 2 pieces
- 2,950 mm u00d7 2 pieces
Beams (oki) u2014 Super Light 700:
- 2,890 mm u00d7 3 pieces
Floor joists (neta) u2014 Super Light 700:
- 3,870 mm u00d7 8 pieces
Roof beams (eave beams) u2014 Super Light 700:
- 5,900 mm u00d7 2 pieces
Rafters u2014 Super Light 700:
- 2,730 mm u00d7 7 pieces
Purlins u2014 SPF 1u00d74:
- 5,900 mm u00d7 7 pieces
Ridge beams u2014 Super Light 700:
- 2,320 mm u00d7 2 pieces
Diagonal braces u2014 Super Light 700:
- 1,200 mm u00d7 2 pieces
- 1,600 mm u00d7 1 piece
- 1,700 mm u00d7 1 piece
Roof u2014 polycarbonate corrugated sheet:
- 10-foot (3,030 mm) u00d7 11 sheets
Right-angle clamps: 52 pieces
Swivel clamps: 8 pieces
Saddle clamps: 49 pieces
Note that short pieces will be cut from longer stock, and longer pieces will be spliced together. The maximum length I can transport from the store is 4 m. So I don’t buy exactly the lengths listed above u2014 I work out the most economical way to cut from stock lengths.
Super Light 700 scaffold pipe:
- 4,000 mm (u00a51,480) u00d7 11 pieces = u00a516,280
- 5,000 mm (u00a51,980) u00d7 1 piece = u00a51,980
- 6,000 mm (u00a52,300) u00d7 8 pieces = u00a518,400
Right-angle clamps: u00a5158 u00d7 52 pieces = u00a58,216
Swivel clamps: u00a5158 u00d7 8 pieces = u00a51,264
Polycarbonate corrugated sheets: 10-ft (u00a52,100) u00d7 11 sheets = u00a523,100
Roofing screw strips: 9-screw 50 mm strip (u00a5980) u00d7 4 packs = u00a53,920
SPF lumber:
- 1u00d74 – 6 ft (u00a5199) u00d7 23 pieces = u00a54,577
- 2u00d74 – 6 ft (u00a5348) u00d7 63 pieces = u00a521,924
- Sheathing board: 9u00d790u00d72,000 mm (u00a5200) u00d7 4 pieces = u00a5800
Saddle clamps: u00a536 u00d7 59 pieces = u00a52,124
Jack bases: u00a5780 u00d7 6 pieces = u00a54,680
Total: u00a5107,265
This doesn’t include foundation materials (cement, sand, gravel), paint, or wood screws, since the quantities used were small. Still, that’s quite a lot! Then again, it’s a large deck, so I suppose that’s about right.
That’s all for today!
ud83dudcda Wood Deck Build Log u2014 3 of 19
u2190 Design #13: Floor Board Layout u00b7 Series Index u00b7 Design #15: 3D CAD Drawings u2192
DIY Renovation Quote Review Manual
How to read, compare, and negotiate contractor quotes. This manual saved me u00a5800,000 on a single renovation project.
ud83cudfe0 More from DIY Father
15 years of landlord experience u00b7 3 apartment buildings u00b7 DIY renovations that saved millions of yen. Browse all articles at diytosan.com
