Asian-Style Deck

Dimensions

Cut list

Tools you'll need

• ✓

  Measuring tape (5m or longer)

  Used to measure each component.

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  Pencil and carpenter's square

  Used for marking and confirming right angles.

• ✓

  Saw

  Using a home center cutting service is recommended.

• ✓

  Electric screwdriver

  Impact drivers improve work efficiency.

• ✓

  Sandpaper

  Prepare two types: #120 and #240.

• ✓

  Level

  Essential for checking levelness during assembly.

• ✓

  Clamps (2 or more)

  Used for temporary fixing during joining.

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  Brush and paint tray

  Used for applying wood preservative.

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  Chalk line and stakes

  Used to set reference lines.

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  Shovel and crushed stone

  Used for ground leveling and laying crushed stone.

Materials

Build steps

1. 1

   Confirm installation location and check ground conditions

   ≈ 30 min

   Measure the installation site for the Asian-style deck (2400×1800×250mm). Check ground levelness, sunlight exposure, ground strength (whether it is prone to mud), and drainage routes.

   Measure

   W 2400 mm

   MeasureSTEP 1 / 10

   Tip

   • If the ground is soft, groundwork is necessary. Lay crushed stone thickly.
   • Maintain a height (250mm) that ensures ventilation below the deck for moisture control.
   • Confirm the direction of rainwater flow and position the deck where water does not accumulate.

   Watch out

   • If the ground is weak, the deck may sink and tilt over time.
   • Water accumulation locations cause wood to decay faster.
2. 2

   Prepare parts for cutting

   ≈ 30 min

   Prepare 24 Western Red Cedar deck boards (20×90×1800mm), 6 joists of 2×4 lumber (38×89×1800mm), 4 beams of 4×4 lumber (89×89×2400mm), 8 foundation stones (150mm square), and 288 stainless steel coarse-thread screws 90mm.

   Cut

   Use the in-store cut service

   CutSTEP 2 / 10

   Tip

   • Western Red Cedar has high water resistance and is a standard material for outdoor decks.
   • Selecting boards with few knots results in a beautiful finish. Although more expensive, they last longer.
   • Stainless steel screws are essential outdoors; iron screws rust and stain wood black.

   Watch out

   • Using SPF lumber as a substitute leads to decay within 3-5 years. Use water-resistant species (Red Cedar, Ipe, etc.) for deck boards.
   • Insufficient screw length prevents solid connection between joists and beams.
3. 3

   Install foundation stones and level them

   ≈ 60 min

   Place the foundation stones (150mm square) at the four corners of the installation area. Excavate the ground to embed the stones, then use chalk line and level to align the top surfaces of the four stones horizontally. Measure and equalize distances between stones (approx. 450mm left-right and front-back).

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 3 / 10

   Tip

   • Foundation stone leveling is the most important step determining overall levelness; take your time.
   • Using chalk line allows simultaneous verification of the level of all four stones.
   • Setting stones slightly higher than ground level improves drainage.

   Watch out

   • Uneven foundation stones cause the entire deck to tilt and items placed on top to roll off.
   • Placing stones in areas where water pools causes water to reach the wood.
4. 4

   Sand beams and joists

   ≈ 30 min

   Sand the 4×4 beams and 2×4 joists with #120 then #240 sandpaper. Because the deck is for outdoor use, surface preparation before finishing is important. Pay special attention to wood ends (cross sections) as they are entry points for water.

   Sand

   #120

   SandSTEP 4 / 10

   Tip

   • Beams bear the heaviest loads; place sides without knots or cracks facing upward.
   • Joists are laid perpendicular to beams; the horizontal surface of both is critical.
   • Sand outdoors wearing a mask to avoid inhaling dust.

   Watch out

   • Inadequate sanding prevents finish absorption leading to early deterioration.
   • Leaving sanding dust causes uneven finish.
5. 5

   First coat on beams and joists

   ≈ 60 min

   Before assembly, apply wood preservative to the beams and joists only. Pre-treating joints that cannot be coated after assembly is key. Apply outdoor wood preservative (e.g., Xyladecor) evenly and allow to dry 24 hours.

   Paint

   Watco oil / varnish

   PaintSTEP 5 / 10

   Tip

   • Pre-coated joint surfaces significantly improve post-assembly rot resistance.
   • Apply more finish on cross sections.
   • Prioritize preservative application from parts closest to the ground due to higher decay risks.

   Watch out

   • Skipping pre-coating leaves joint surfaces bare post-assembly, allowing water ingress causing rot.
   • Exposure to rain before drying causes finish to run; check weather before coating.
6. 6

   Attach beams

   ≈ 45 min

   Place four 4×4 beams (89×89×2400mm) parallel on the foundation stones spaced approx. 450mm apart. Insert a waterproof sheet between stones and beams, then secure beams to stones from underneath using stainless screws or special metal fittings. Confirm levelness of all four points with a level.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 6 / 10

   Tip

   • Insert a waterproof sheet (rubber sheet also acceptable) between foundation stones and beams to prevent water capillary rise.
   • Special hardware 'foundation stone brackets' are available at home centers for strong connections.
   • Align beams' long directions with water flow direction.

   Watch out

   • Omitting waterproof sheet allows water to wick up and rot beams.
   • Uneven beams cause the entire deck to tilt.
7. 7

   Install joists

   ≈ 45 min

   Place six 2×4 joists (38×89×1800mm) perpendicular on top of two beams with 250mm spacing. Drill φ5mm pilot holes from the top of beams, then fix joists with two 90mm stainless coarse-thread screws per joint (total 8 screws).

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 7 / 10

   Tip

   • Joist spacing of 300mm supports standard 20mm thick deck boards; spacing wider than this causes boards to sag.
   • Pilot holes prevent wood splitting; 4×4 lumber is thick yet prone to cracking.
   • Check joist top surface level while fixing.

   Watch out

   • Joist spacing exceeding 500mm causes deck boards to sag under weight.
   • Insufficient screw length leads to lack of strength as screws don't reach beams.
8. 8

   Attach deck boards

   ≈ 60 min

   Arrange 24 Western Red Cedar deck boards (20×90×1800mm) perpendicular to joists. To maintain 5mm gaps between boards, use 5mm thick spacers (equivalent thickness of one nail) while fixing. Drill φ3mm pilot holes at joints with joists and fasten each board with two 50mm stainless screws (total 18 screws).

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 8 / 10

   Tip

   • 5mm gaps are essential for water drainage and ventilation; closing gaps causes water accumulation.
   • Use 5mm thick spacers to ensure uniform gap size.
   • Fix boards with concave side (cupped side) downward (joist side) considering board warping; convex side up causes discomfort when walking.

   Watch out

   • Omitting board gaps leads to water accumulation and decay underneath.
   • Screwing too close to board edges causes splitting.
9. 9

   Sand and finish deck boards

   ≈ 90 min

   Sand all deck boards with #120 then #240 sandpaper, paying close attention to surfaces, edges, and ends. Remove sanding dust then apply two coats of outdoor wood preservative fully. Dry 24 hours after first coat, then another 24 hours after second coat.

   Paint

   Watco oil / varnish

   PaintSTEP 9 / 10

   Tip

   • Sanding opens wood pores allowing better finish absorption.
   • Apply more finish on wood ends.
   • Choose stainless steel fasteners; iron rusts within a year.

   Watch out

   • Incomplete coating allows water ingress and decay; apply carefully.
   • Exposure to rain before drying causes finish to run; confirm weather forecast before coating.
10. 10

    Final inspection and maintenance plan

    ≈ 30 min

    Inspect the entire deck. Check screw tightness, board level, gap uniformity, and finish coverage. Pour water on surface to inspect drainage. Do not place heavy objects on the deck on day one to allow finish curing. Annual recoating maintains deck life beyond 10 years.

    Done!

    Done — nice work!

    DoneSTEP 10 / 10

    Tip

    • Lightly sand with #240 sandpaper annually before recoating with the same finish can extend life beyond 10 years.
    • Remove leaves and mud under deck monthly to eliminate moisture sources.
    • In cold regions, coat before winter to maintain protection until spring.

    Watch out

    • Neglecting maintenance outdoors causes finish peeling and decay within 2-3 years; annual recoating is key.
    • Leaving moisture sources such as fallen leaves and soil buildup under the deck causes rot from below.

Warnings

• ⚠️Wood preservative coating is mandatory for outdoor use (recoating recommended annually).
• ⚠️Please use stainless steel screws (iron screws will rust).
• ⚠️Drill pilot holes before screwing to prevent wood splitting.
• ⚠️Install foundation stones horizontally (tilting causes joists to warp).

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