Thread: Decking Recommendations

Originally Posted by JohnG

For my own peace of mind I contacted Shera directly and asked them if they had a guidebook for fitting Shera floors as I needed to know the joist spacing. .
I asked what their recommended spacing for floor joists for a deck was and they replied that it was between 300 and 600mm depending on the application and use and that the exact spacing was up to the builder.

Thank you for getting updated information, it is always useful to find out about changes, and for pointing out that your own comments were wrong and should be re-read in the light of the correct data.

I am happy to know from you that my floors supports are within the manufacturers recommend spacings. As will my advising architect.

It is interesting that the current recommendation for support spacings range from 300mm to 600mm for Shera Plank a wider range than in the past.

Originally Posted by JohnG

[
Somehow I doubt if anyone who puts their foot through the floor and is hospitalised as a result of your over-confidence and mis-representation here will find it quite so amusing.
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Originally Posted by JohnG

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Agree 100% with @Vocal Neal about the base - a point I made before. If Conwood say 12" centres that's the minimum you need (and Shera is similar). You can put in whatever expensive foundations you like and waste a ridiculous amount of money on expensive materials, but if you don't get the basics right because you're a farang who thinks he always knows best all you have is the legendary lacquered dog-turd.

Originally Posted by JohnG

Shera and Conwood decking is not wood.

The decking is a fibre - cement composite with minimal 'spring'.

The manufacturers both recommend joists at a maximum of 30 cm centres based on Thai weight and regular usage. There are a number of tables available showing the centres and joists / framing required for specific requirements, but 30cm is the manufacturer's recommended maximum.

Originally Posted by JohnG

Fer Crissake what's wrong with you?

You do as you see fit and break your neck - fine. I just wish you'd do it sooner rather than later.

But repeatedly advising others to do the same and nearly double a manufacturer's recommendations (from 300mm to 500mm) isn't just stupid it's DANGEROUS.

You claim to be a "sometimewoodworker"; if you don't know not to dangerously exceed manufacturer's recommendation's for something as simple as a deck no wonder your "advice" on other subjects is so far off.

What you are advising isn't just "do as you see fit" about the colour of your paint - it's (NOT) DANGEROUS. Your advice could get someone badly injured or killed. It's not just "getting kinda embarrasing".
It's (NOT) DANGEROUS

It says 12" centres for the Conwood support. It does not say the deck structural piles etc need to be 12"

These are wood not steel but...





Just shown as examples.

Originally Posted by sometimewoodworker

Originally Posted by JohnG

For my own peace of mind I contacted Shera directly and asked them if they had a guidebook for fitting Shera floors as I needed to know the joist spacing. .
I asked what their recommended spacing for floor joists for a deck was and they replied that it was between 300 and 600mm depending on the application and use and that the exact spacing was up to the builder.

Thank you for getting updated information, it is always useful to find out about changes, and for pointing out that your own comments were wrong and should be re-read in the light of the correct data.

I am happy to know from you that my floors supports are within the manufacturers recommend spacings. As will my advising architect.

It is interesting that the current recommendation for support spacings range from 300mm to 600mm for Shera Plank a wider range than in the past.

You really are determined to kill someone in your desperation to be right at all costs. Shera did NOT say that your floor supports are within the manufacturer's recommended spacings. There is as much truth in that as in your absurd lie that your deck was open to the elements.

What Shera said and I very clearly wrote was that spacing DEPENDED ON THE APPLICATION AND USE - if you're making a rabbit hutch the spacing for your little bunnies can safely be less than if you're making a stage floor for River Dance.

Originally Posted by OhOh

Originally Posted by JohnG

The manufacturers both recommend joists at a maximum of 30 cm centres based on Thai weight and regular usage.

Humans, furniture and plant pot's weight will cause deflection or springing. Thais are sometimes smaller, sometimes larger. I would suggest a written guarantee, be requested from the suppliers, after you explain your usage, if the flooring starts breaking due to usage or environmental causes.

Not a chance, and I don't blame them. Lawsuits could be massive, particularly as they export to the EU and US.

Originally Posted by OhOh

Originally Posted by sometimewoodworker

It is interesting that the current recommendation for support spacings range from 300mm to 600mm for Shera Plank a wider range than in the past.

"Probably" due to problems with them breaking! The "builder" will have his normal build method in his head. Unless specified, investigated and approved by the owner the cheapest will be purchased not necessarily those "fit for purpose".

Surely a concrete ground slab plus ceramic/clay floor tiles would be a cheaper, "probably" cooler and more lasting option?

@stww has missed out the all-important caveat (see above). Or just lied again (also see above!).

... and 'yes',, a slab and tiles would be cheaper and longer lasting, etc, as has been said before - rather like the way Thais do it now!

Originally Posted by JohnG

Shera did NOT say that your floor supports are within the manufacturer's recommended spacings.

"But my Thai builder/Global salesman said it was OK"!

Originally Posted by VocalNeal

It does not say the deck structural piles etc need to be 12"

Let's not start on the "piles" or as some have suggested, a concrete post surrounded by a concrete pipe - to be filled with concreter and then topped off with a circular "covering". I am presuming the employed "architect" thought it appealing.

Your photo of the deck structure suggests the rooms with the windows behind it, will have a somewhat restricted view once the deck/roof/any chairs etc. are added.

Originally Posted by OhOh

"But my Thai builder/Global salesman said it was OK"!

... and we all know that they're never wrong ... after all, someone on the internet said so!

Originally Posted by OhOh

Let's not start on the "piles" or as some have suggested, a concrete post surrounded by a concrete pipe - to be filled with concreter and then topped off with a circular "covering". I am presuming the employed "architect" thought it appealing.

I think it was actually a concrete post surrounded by a concrete drain pipe surrounded by another concrete drain pipe, to be put on a footing and filled with concrete ... a similar construction to that used in someone's "house" (I use the term loosely) ...

... oh dear, it's always the same "someone"!

Originally Posted by OhOh

Your photo of the deck structure suggests the rooms with the windows behind it, will have a somewhat restricted view once the deck/roof/any chairs etc. are added.

The big advantage of decks like this, or those made of bamboo such as Thais usually use, is that they can be moved when you want a change of scenery. Rather difficult when, for no reason when the bases in the picture by @VocalNeal are more than adequate, someone's built their sunshade / sundeck into a few tonnes of concrete ... if you're going to do that then as you say "a concrete ground slab plus ceramic/clay floor tiles would be a cheaper, 'probably' cooler and more lasting option".

Originally Posted by VocalNeal

These are wood not steel but...

... but "someone" always knows better ...

Patsy might be the person to ask for advice before posting here. I believe many of her friends take her advice every day. She hasn't told me how I can become one of her TDFs.

Thanks for all the advice and tips. Am going with the Shera (Chesnut). Thanks for all the tips and advice.

Originally Posted by JohnG

Originally Posted by rbm

Originally Posted by JohnG

Make sure you're comparing Shera or Conwood floor or deck prices with Thai Sun deck prices, not their prices for their sidings which some dealers may tell you (100% wrongly - never, never, never!!) can be used on the floor. Shera and Conwood deck prices are at least twice the cost of their sidings.

You also need to look at the base to see how far apart your supporting joists are before you put down any of these, to make sure they'll support the planks safely.

Having had WPC you can't really make a direct comparison with Shera /
Conwood as its a completely different product aimed at a different market, plus the finished 'look' is very different so you can't say if one's better value than the other.

Good mornin all. Am off to Global this am to check out costs and possible installation. My steel joists are 50 cm or 20 inches apart.

That's not enough!!!

Take a look at the link above from @Vocal Neal. It's in Thai but you don't need to be a linguist to understand it - the maximum centres are 30cm (thirty!!). They may tell you what you want to hear once you tell them yours are 50 cm apart, and you may be told something else by expats on a forum, but I tend to believe what the manufacturers say about their product limitations.

Also make sure you get shown decking - the thickness is no indication of purpose

My contractor is putting in additional steel joists to support the Shera at recommended spacing. Thanks for the reminder.