For installations on uneven ground, opt for installing plastic lumber.
Consisting of a plastic joist and post product – this plastic lumber subframe is effective in areas with sloped and uneven ground, and represents a truly long-life, moisture resistant solution formed entirely from recycled plastic material.
1. Lay Your Post Network And Secure Into Place
Once your area is clearly outlined, mark a grid-layout and evenly lay your plastic post network. Space the posts at 1,000mm intervals. This is in keeping with the maximum support span of the large plastic joist that will be used to form your cross-bearer and joist network.
Fix the posts to your base by forming a hole and cementing them into the ground. A third of the length of the post (or at least 500mm) should be secured under the surface of your base. Ensure the posts remain in an upright position as the concrete sets and that the tops of the posts are level with one another.
2. Laying Plastic Joists To Form A Bearer Network
Form a network of cross-bearers along the length of posts with the large plastic joist, providing a base of structural support for your joist network. When fixing the bearers to the posts, a gap of 125mm should be left above the bearer in order to accommodate for the thickness of the joist.
3. Securing Bearers At Joins
Joining bearers must be supported by a post and an expansion gap of 10mm must be observed. Ensure that joins in joists are supported by double bearers. Use 2 x 6-10mm single thread screws at every intersection between a bearer and post to fix securely. Pre-drill the material with an oversized pilot hole (approximately 3mm).
4. Laying Your Joist Network
Joists should be laid directly onto your bearer network in accordance with the recommended spacings of 250-350mm. Begin by installing the outside joists to the subframe and continue fixing along the decking bearer network.
5. Fixing Your Joists
Fix by screwing diagonally through the joist into the bearer. Use a 6-10mm single thread screw to ensure proper fixing and pre-drill the material with an oversized pilot hole (approximately 3mm).
Off-cuts of the plastic joist can be used to form a series of noggins along the length of your joists to offer additional support. When joining two joists, ensure an expansion gap of 10mm is left.
Where two boards are expected to meet, ensure sufficient support is provided in the form of a double joist.
