Wood Deck with Railing

Dimensions

Cut list

Tools you'll need

• ✓

  Tape Measure (5m or longer)

  Used for measuring all components.

• ✓

  Pencil and Carpenter's Square

  For marking lines and checking right angles.

• ✓

  Saw

  Home center cut service recommended.

• ✓

  Electric Driver

  Impact driver increases work efficiency.

• ✓

  Sandpaper

  Prepare two types: #120 and #240 grit.

• ✓

  Level

  Essential for checking levelness during assembly.

• ✓

  Clamps (2 or more)

  Used for temporary fixing during joining.

• ✓

  Brush and Paint Tray

  Used for applying wood preservative.

• ✓

  Mason Line and Stakes

  Used for setting baseline reference lines.

• ✓

  Shovel and Crushed Stone

  Used for ground leveling and spreading crushed stone.

Materials

Build steps

1. 1

   Confirm Installation Site and Ground Conditions

   ≈ 30 min

   Measure the installation area for the wood deck with handrail (2400×1800×300mm). Check ground levelness, sunlight exposure, ground strength (susceptibility to muddiness), and drainage paths.

   Measure

   W 2400 mm

   MeasureSTEP 1 / 10

   Tip

   • If the ground is soft, prepare the base by spreading crushed stone thickly.
   • Ensure deck height (300mm) allows airflow underneath to prevent moisture.
   • Check direction of rainwater flow and arrange so water does not pool.

   Watch out

   • If ground is weak, the deck will settle over time and become tilted.
   • Water pooling areas cause wood to rot faster.
2. 2

   Prepare Cutting the Components

   ≈ 30 min

   Prepare 24 pieces of Western Red Cedar deck boards (20×90×1800mm), 6 pieces of 2×4 lumber joists (38×89×1800mm), 4 pieces of 4×4 lumber beams (89×89×2400mm). Also prepare 8 footing 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 is highly water resistant and a standard outdoor decking material.
   • Selecting wood with fewer knots results in a more beautiful finish and longer lifespan, albeit at higher cost.
   • Stainless steel screws are essential outdoors. Iron screws cause rust stains that blacken the wood.

   Watch out

   • Using SPF lumber instead results in decay within 3-5 years; use water-resistant species (Western Red Cedar, Ipe, etc.) for decking.
   • Screws too short fail to properly bind joists and beams.
3. 3

   Install Footing Stones and Level Them

   ≈ 60 min

   Place four footing stones (150mm square) at the corners of the installation area. Dig into the ground and embed them. Use mason line and level to align the top surfaces of all four footing stones level. Measure and align distances between the stones (about 450mm left-right, 450mm front-back).

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 3 / 10

   Tip

   • Leveling footing stones is the most important step as it determines overall levelness. Take your time.
   • Using mason line allows simultaneous level checking of all four points.
   • Setting footing stones slightly higher than the ground improves drainage.

   Watch out

   • Uneven footing stones cause the deck to tilt and items placed atop to roll.
   • Placing footing stones in water pooling areas allows moisture to rise into the wood.
4. 4

   Sand Beams and Joists

   ≈ 30 min

   Sand the 4×4 beams and 2×4 joists sequentially with #120 then #240 grit sandpaper. Since this is outdoor use, proper surface preparation before painting is crucial. Sand end grains carefully, as they are entry points for water.

   Sand

   #120

   SandSTEP 4 / 10

   Tip

   • Beams bear the most load; orient the face without knots or cracks upward.
   • Joists run perpendicular to beams. Both must be level.
   • Perform sanding outdoors and wear a mask to avoid inhaling dust.

   Watch out

   • Insufficient sanding prevents stain or preservative absorption, leading to early deterioration.
   • Leaving sanding dust causes uneven coating.
5. 5

   First Coat of Preservative on Beams and Joists

   ≈ 60 min

   Before assembly, apply wood preservative to beams and joists only. It's key to coat areas that cannot be reached after assembly. Apply outdoor wood preservative (e.g., Xyladecor) thoroughly on all surfaces and allow to dry 24 hours.

   Paint

   Watco oil / varnish

   PaintSTEP 5 / 10

   Tip

   • Pre-coating joint surfaces greatly improves durability after assembly.
   • Apply extra preservative on end grains.
   • Parts closest to the ground have higher rot risk; prioritize thorough coating accordingly.

   Watch out

   • If assembled first and then coated, joints remain uncoated allowing water intrusion and rot.
   • If it rains before drying, the coating may run off. Check weather forecast before painting.
6. 6

   Install Beams

   ≈ 45 min

   Place four 89×89×2400mm beams in parallel on footing stones spaced about 450mm apart. Insert a waterproof sheet between footing stones and beams. Secure beams to footing stones from below using stainless steel screws or specialized hardware. Confirm levelness of the four points with a level.

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 6 / 10

   Tip

   • Insert waterproof sheet (rubber sheet also acceptable) to prevent capillary water rise from footing stones.
   • Using specialized footing stone brackets available at home centers strengthens the connection.
   • Align the beams' long direction with water flow direction.

   Watch out

   • Omitting waterproof sheet causes moisture to rise from footing stones and rot beams.
   • If beams are not level, entire deck will tilt.
7. 7

   Install Joists

   ≈ 45 min

   Arrange six 38×89×1800mm joists perpendicular atop two beams spaced about 300mm apart. Drill φ5mm pilot holes through joists into beams. Secure each joint with two 90mm stainless steel coarse-thread screws (total 8 screws).

   Build the frame

   Tighten joints firmly

   AssembleSTEP 7 / 10

   Tip

   • 300mm joist spacing is standard support span for 20mm thick deck boards; wider causes board sagging.
   • Pilot holes prevent wood splitting, especially in 4×4 beams which are thick but prone to cracking.
   • Check level of joist tops while securing.

   Watch out

   • Spacing over 500mm causes deck boards to sag under weight.
   • Too short screws fail to reach beams, resulting in weak joints.
8. 8

   Attach Deck Boards

   ≈ 60 min

   Lay 24 pieces of 20×90×1800mm Western Red Cedar deck boards perpendicular to joists. Maintain 5mm gaps between boards by inserting 5mm thick spacers (approximate thickness of a nail) while fastening. Drill φ3mm pilot holes at joints of deck boards and joists. Secure each board with two 50mm stainless steel screws (18 screws total).

   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 spacers to ensure uniform gaps.
   • Fix boards with the concave side down (towards joists), accounting for board warp to avoid discomfort when walking.

   Watch out

   • Omitting board gaps causes water pooling and backside rot.
   • Screwing too close to board edges causes edge splitting.
9. 9

   Sand and Paint Deck Boards

   ≈ 90 min

   Sand entire deck boards with #120 then #240 grit sandpaper. Carefully sand surfaces, edges, and end grains. Remove sanding dust thoroughly. Apply two coats of outdoor wood preservative, allowing 24 hours drying between coats.

   Paint

   Watco oil / varnish

   PaintSTEP 9 / 10

   Tip

   • Sanding opens wood pores to improve preservative absorption.
   • Apply extra preservative on end grains.
   • Choose stainless steel fasteners as iron will rust within one year.

   Watch out

   • Missing spots during coating allows water intrusion and rot; coat thoroughly.
   • If it rains before drying, coating runs off. Confirm weather before painting.
10. 10

    Final Inspection and Maintenance Plan

    ≈ 30 min

    Inspect entire deck. Check tightness of screws, deck level, uniformity of gaps, and evenness of coating. Test drainage by pouring water. Avoid placing heavy objects on first day to allow preservative to fully cure. Annual repainting maintains deck life beyond 10 years.

    Done!

    Done — nice work!

    DoneSTEP 10 / 10

    Tip

    • Lightly sand with #240 grit once a year followed by the same preservative coating lengthens life to over 10 years.
    • Remove leaves and mud from under deck monthly to eliminate moisture sources.
    • In cold climates, painting before winter preserves protection until spring.

    Watch out

    • Without annual maintenance, coating peels and decay starts within 2-3 years; yearly recoating is key to longevity.
    • Ignoring moisture sources under deck (leaves, soil buildup) causes rot from below.

Warnings

• ⚠️For outdoor use, applying wood preservative is essential (reapplication recommended annually).
• ⚠️Use stainless steel screws (iron screws will rust).
• ⚠️Drill pilot holes before screwing to prevent wood splitting.
• ⚠️Install footing stones level (uneven stones will warp joists).

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