Timber iQ Dec 2017 - Jan 2018 // Issue:35 | Page 42

FEATURES The sliding deck fit for summer. The pool is positioned next to a stone wall and this meant that it wasn’t straight, and it also limited the amount of space for the tanning beds. “The boxes had to be really strong to hold a tanning human, but also light enough to be easily moved,” says Purdon. The boxes need to be anchored in place as once the person finds their spot in the sun, it can’t then move around. “The decks use steel runners and stoppers as well as engineering principles to get everything to work smoothly,” she explains. ON THE HILLSIDE Topdecks was contracted to create a space that extends the ocean view and have an aesthetically pleasing look at the framework from the street side. A cantilevered frame with tapered cut beams treated dark brown (fancourt Imbuia) was used to meet the client brief. “Rocky, sloping terrain with old stonewalls to support the slope of the terrace proved challenging. We ended up going with engineered spec with built-up columns and steel re-enforcement,” Lourens says. Support brackets were brought in to hold the deck in place ready for when the winds start to howl. The cantilevered deck, aesthetically considerate frame design and beautiful red-river gum decking treated with oil based poly-urethane to preserve the fiery grain of the wood is what makes this project unique. TREATING THE DECK Not all decking wood requires treating but for more savvy clients, maintaining the condition of the timber is one way of keeping it in as good condition as the day it arrived. It is up to the end-user to decide to treat or not to treat their deck. However, Carel Steenkamp, channel manager at Rubio Monocoat, recommends that wooden decks are treated to protect and extend the life of the wood. “We often meet clients who would choose not to treat their decks. This is an option when you want to let certain woods (such as teak, balau or garapa) grey naturally, but it hardly ever greys evenly throughout the entire surface. See more on page 42 Ck 02/060867/23 For hotels, chalet developments, game lodges, individual homes, roof rooms, sundecks, boardwalks, and patented kit homes for export. Work carried out in South Africa, Africa, Indian Ocean Islands and Europe. Approved members of the NHBRC, Institute for Timber Construction & SAQA For more information, contact: Tel: [phone] Cell: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.cottageconcepts.co.za