YOU CAN INSTALL IT YOURSELF, BUT IT REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE

A wooden terrace is a great way to decorate the facade of a house, expand its territory and create a cozy oasis for spending time with loved ones. In order to save money, some people choose materials for a wooden terrace themselves and install it without the help of specialists. Although a wooden terrace is one of the simplest wooden structures, there are several things to pay attention to when installing it yourself.

UNSUITABLE WOOD IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE IN TERRACE CONSTRUCTION

When planning to have a wooden terrace, first of all, you need to choose the right materials for it. It is not recommended to choose softwood for an open outdoor terrace. Softwood is extremely resistant to environmental influences. Softwood is most suitable for a wooden terrace – larch, spruce or pine.

 

Storing wooden boards before using them is also important. Terrace boards should be protected from direct sunlight and moisture, and should not be removed from their packaging until they are used. If the terrace is being built with longer breaks, the boards should be kept in their packaging during these breaks.

Svarbus ir medinių lentų sandėliavimas prieš jas naudojant. Terasines lentas reikia saugoti nuo tiesioginių saulės spindulių ir drėgmės, iš pakuočių neišiminėti, kol jos nebus naudojamos. Jeigu terasa statoma su ilgesnėmis pertraukomis, jų metu lentas reiktų laikyti pakuotėse.

LOCATION – ALSO VERY IMPORTANT

The second important thing when setting up a terrace is its location. The terrace should be built so that it receives enough sunlight and attention is paid to water drainage when it rains. If you want to drink your morning cup of coffee in the sunlight, do not build the terrace on the north side of the house. It is best when the terrace receives sunlight from the south or west side. Leave at least a 1 cm slope for water drainage.

FIXING TERRACE BOARDS: NO TO NAILS!

Nails are the worst choice for fastening wooden terrace boards. Wood screws are much more suitable for this purpose. Wood screws, unlike nails, hold the boards well, preventing them from sagging or moving up and down. Other fasteners specifically designed for terraces are also available that are invisible to the naked eye. If a wooden terrace is being built near water, stainless steel screws must be used.

WOOD COATING – THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE

Some wood coating methods may look more attractive “for today”, but they can make it more difficult to maintain in the future. One of the worst wood coating methods is products that do not absorb into the wood and leave a film on it over time. It is better to use paint or oil specifically designed for a wooden terrace, rather than a film-based paint. Film-free products will help you avoid scrubbing the terrace when you want to repaint it – just a little roughening and cleaning of the surface will be enough.