Allan Staines, the well-known author of the very popular The Australian Owner Builders Manual, The Australian Renovators Manual, How to be a Successful Owner Builder and Renovator, House Building the Easy Hebel Way and The Australian Roof Building Manual, has released his latest book, The Australian Decks and Pergolas Construction Manual.

The Australian Decks and Pergolas manual follows the tradition of Allan Staines' previous books in that it covers a large amount of construction detail, is well-illustrated with ink sketches, endeavours to cover its topic as comprehensively as possible and, most importantly, all the information conforms to Australian Codes and requirements.

The book is roughly divided into two sections, the first on decks and the second on pergolas. Each section starts with designing and estimating, looking at the different basic designs, the requirements for Council approval, basic terminology and timber qualities such as stress rating and treatment levels. After the preferred design for the deck or pergola has been chosen, there are step-by-step details of its construction, including handrails, balustrades and steps.

At the end of the Australian Decks and Pergolas Manual, there are a number of tables, covering post and stirrup footing sizes, deck bearer and stair stringer sizes, roof beam and rafter span tables, design loads of various fastening brackets, cyclonic strength ratings for various components and other information essential to the successful design of a deck or pergola.

The Australian Decks and Pergolas Construction Manual is an invaluable reference for any homeowner intending to build, or hire someone to build, a deck or pergola.

Illustrations: Black & White

Contents

Designing & Estimating
Designing Decks & Pergolas
Preparing Plans for Council
Terminology & Abbreviations
Timbers to Use
Estimating the Cost

Deck Designs

Deck Construction
Footings & Post Supports
Post to Bearer Connections
Making Housings in Round Posts
Attaching Joists to Bearers
Attaching Decks to Walls
Bracing Decks
Concealing Bracing
Laying Decking (Flooring)
Waterproof & Tiled Decks
Building Outdoor Steps
Hand railing & Construction Details

How to Build Decks
How to Build Decks Attached to the House
How to Build a Freestanding Deck

Designing Pergolas
Pergola Design Ideas

Pergola Construction
Pergola Construction with or without Roof Cladding
Preparing a Plan
Pergola Posts, Columns & Footings
Post to Bearer Connections
Beam to Post Connections
Rafter to Beam Connections
Attaching Pergolas to the House
Bracing Pergolas

How to Build a Pergola
Painting k Preserving Decks & Pergolas

Deck & Pergola Tables
Tables 4, 5 & 6 Deck & Pergola Post Footing Sizes
Table 7 Post Sizes for Decks or Pergolas
Table 8 Deck Bearer Sizes
Table 9 Deck Joists
Table 10 Decking (Deck Flooring) & Fastenings
Table 11, 12 Stair Stringers & Treads
Table 13, 14 Handrail Sizes & Spans
Table 15 Pergola Beams N1 to N2 (Non. Cycl.)
Table 16 Pergola Beams N3 (Non Cyclonic) to C1 (Cyclonic)
Table 17 Pergola Rafters N1 to N2 (Non. Cycl.)
Table 18 Pergola Rafters N3 (Non Cyclonic) to C1 (Cyclonic)
Table 19 Pergola Roof Battens
Table 30 Pryda Post Anchors
Table 31 Pryda Framing Bracket (Joist Hanger) Design Loads
Table 32 & 33 Pryda Bracket Sizes & Selection Chart