Like to try your hand on Modular decking? I did, and this post is what I discovered!
Here are the three products commonly available from the market:
Here are the three products commonly available from the market:
1. Ikea Runnen
2. Freedom Decking
3. Good Times Co. at your local Bunning
Suitability?
Both Ikea and Freedom floor tiles are clicked-on pieces that are not structure sound. To construct, lay them over a flat structurally sound (concrete) floor.
If you do not have a flat surface then they are not suitable.
Ideally they are a easy solution for veranda and balconies to give it a wooden flooring feel/look.
However, Good Times Co. is designed to be a DIY solution to a properly installed decking.
It is made up of 2 parts, the decking frame and the decking itself.
If you do not have a flat surface then they are not suitable.
Ideally they are a easy solution for veranda and balconies to give it a wooden flooring feel/look.
However, Good Times Co. is designed to be a DIY solution to a properly installed decking.
It is made up of 2 parts, the decking frame and the decking itself.
Aesthetics?
Freedom tiles are larger and more attractive than the Ikea counterpart but also at a more dearer price.
Good Times co. decking is made from hardwood Merabu at 1116mm squares per panel. Each panel is than separated by roughly 2-3mm gap. It cannot be butted to form one straight plank.
While neat it is not as clean as a traditional installation.
Good Times co. decking is made from hardwood Merabu at 1116mm squares per panel. Each panel is than separated by roughly 2-3mm gap. It cannot be butted to form one straight plank.
While neat it is not as clean as a traditional installation.
Good Times co.
I am happy with the end result but the main pro and con are as follows:
pro:
- pieces can be purchased ad-hoc from Bunning
- transportable - fits in a standard car/roof
- pre-cut length means time saving
- hardwood - structure sound means the sub-floor do not need to be levelled. preferably a slight slope for water run off.
- can be done solo! easier to handle 1m length.
con:
- you still need to purchase all the screw and it can be difficult as the length of the screw was actually quite critical
- modular frames means the deck is in blocks and will require extra effort if you are trying to fit the deck in a space just right
- material cost is not cheaper. cheaper only if you value your own time.
- stock run out at Bunning. I had over a month delay ordering the product via Bunning during the pre Christmas period.
- you still need to do some Ikea level construction.
- its designed to stand on the floor like tables. But If you are like me, you probably end up doing a bit more - dynabolting the frame to brick walls and floor.
my construction tips:
1. make sure when you put the frame together as level and square as possible.
2. there is a top side - ridged and a bottom side -non-ridged for each frame. double check before you screw it in.
3. if you do decide to screw the frame together, plan ahead where the decking screw is going to be. You do not want them to intersect.
pro:
- pieces can be purchased ad-hoc from Bunning
- transportable - fits in a standard car/roof
- pre-cut length means time saving
- hardwood - structure sound means the sub-floor do not need to be levelled. preferably a slight slope for water run off.
- can be done solo! easier to handle 1m length.
con:
- you still need to purchase all the screw and it can be difficult as the length of the screw was actually quite critical
- modular frames means the deck is in blocks and will require extra effort if you are trying to fit the deck in a space just right
- material cost is not cheaper. cheaper only if you value your own time.
- stock run out at Bunning. I had over a month delay ordering the product via Bunning during the pre Christmas period.
- you still need to do some Ikea level construction.
- its designed to stand on the floor like tables. But If you are like me, you probably end up doing a bit more - dynabolting the frame to brick walls and floor.
my construction tips:
1. make sure when you put the frame together as level and square as possible.
2. there is a top side - ridged and a bottom side -non-ridged for each frame. double check before you screw it in.
3. if you do decide to screw the frame together, plan ahead where the decking screw is going to be. You do not want them to intersect.