SUBSTRUCTURES
The substructure is a critically important part in the process of achieving a quality finished product. Decks4Life works to prescribed engineering & building standards.
Our composite products are machine manufactured with consistently accurate sizes. We realize that the slightest discrepancy in our
substructure will be seen once the composite decking boards are installed so our work needs to be 100% from the word GO! Various materials can be used in the construction of a deck, cladding, or screen substructure.
SA PINE SABS – CCA TREATED
Pine SABS refers to timber that is graded according to specific requirements regarding size dimensions and quality. This timber can be used for interior and exterior applications relevant to the building, construction, timber and manufacturing industries. CCA Treated Wood refers to treated wood falling within the H2 & H3 Hazard Classes.
In specifying Tanalised® treated timber and poles, the following guide will assist:
| Application | Treatment Specification | Treatment Guarantee Period |
| Timber Trusses | Roof trusses manufactured out of structural graded SA Pine treated with Tanalith (CCA) to an H2 Hazard class. | 50 years |
| Timber Fascia Boards | Timber Fascia Boards manufactured out of structural graded SA Pine treated with Tanalith to an H3 Hazard class. | 50 years |
| Timber Cladding (interior) | Timber Cladding manufactured out of structural graded SA Pine treated with Vacsol (TBTO/N) to an H2 Hazard Class. | 25 years |
| Timber Cladding (exterior) | Timber Cladding manufactured out of structural graded SA Pine treated with Tanalith to an H3 Hazard Class. Please note that cladding of a thinner width may be prone to distortion from water-borne treatment. | 50 years |
| Timber Decks | (1) Support Poles produced from either Pine poles or Gum poles treated with Tanalith to either H4 or H5 (if fresh water contact) Hazard Classes. | 25 years |
| (2) Bearers, Joists and Decking Boards to be produced from structural graded SA Pine treated with Tanalith to H3 Hazard Class. | 50 years | |
| All of the above wood treatments to be carried out in accordance with SANS 2005 – The Preservative Treatment of Timber. | ||
Decks4Life uses timber with the correct rating for the application.
As an added quality measure, we further seal our structural timber with waterproofing paint. This will further extend the life of your deck while making the structural timber less visible. The deck substructure below shows the use of H3 CCA treated structural timber, waterproofed.
This pool house rooftop structure needed to be ‘Floating’. Due to waterproofing concerns, we could not secure the substrate below. Support posts rest on composite, non-rot pads. Ring beams are anchored to all surrounding walls.
95m² of composite decking was then installed and secured with stainless steel screws & a plastic clip system. 1 at every 350mm cc.
A standard Residential deck sub-structure.
Treated poles planted in a concrete base hold up the waterproofed deck structure. Biddum landscaping mesh
cover the ground below the deck to ensure that no grass or plants can grow after the deck has been laid.
For Mezzanine, Balcony and other areas that cannot accommodate support posts, specifically rated
structural beams need to be used. Beams are specified by structural engineers according to Span,
Joist spacing & Load requirements.
Below are some examples of Steel I-Beams, Laminated Beams & Structural timber
we have used in previous projects
LIGHTWEIGHT STEEL
Lightweight steel is formed & assembled locally from a roll of Zincalume or Galvalume.
The forming machine produces C-shaped profiles 90mm x 40mm in any length. The lengths are assembled into panels or beams.
More recently used in wall & roof construction, we have found great uses for this product as a deck substructure.
