Deck and pergola builder, Sydney
Outdoor timber has to survive sun, rain and the swing between them. We build decks, pergolas, screens and fencing in hardwoods that suit the exposure, detailed so water runs off rather than sits.
licensed & insured · nsw contractor licence no. 479614C
what the work covers
- spotted gum, merbau and hardwood decking
- pergolas and covered entertaining areas
- privacy screening and slatted panels
- pool surrounds and step detailing
- fencing and gates
how we do it
A deck in Sydney deals with two things at once: a lot of UV, and rain that arrives sideways. What decides how it ages is less the decking board than the frame under it and whether water is given somewhere to go — bearers and joists sized to AS 1684, spacings that suit the board thickness, and a fall away from the house so nothing sits against a wall.
Timber choice follows exposure. Spotted gum, blackbutt and ironbark are dense Australian hardwoods that hold their shape in full sun. Merbau is more stable and more forgiving to work, but bleeds tannin through its first season and wants its run-off kept away from light paving. Within a few streets of the water the fixings matter more than the timber: salt air will take ordinary galvanised screws long before the boards are tired, which is why exposed coastal decks are fixed in grade 316 stainless.
Anything more than a metre above ground needs a compliant balustrade — one metre high, with no gap a 125mm sphere can pass through. Pool surrounds carry their own fencing rules and clearances on top of that. Both are worth settling before the design is fixed rather than after, because they move post positions and step layouts.
questions we get asked
- Which decking timber lasts longest in Sydney?
- In full sun and near salt, dense Australian hardwoods hold their shape best — spotted gum, blackbutt and ironbark. Merbau is more stable and cheaper to buy, but bleeds tannin through its first season.
- Do I need council approval for a deck?
- Low decks often fall under exempt development, but height, boundary setback, heritage listing and bushfire-prone status all change the answer. It is worth checking before the design is settled — we'll tell you what we can see on the measure.
- Does my deck need a balustrade?
- Once the drop is more than a metre, yes: one metre high, with no gap a 125mm sphere can pass through.
- Why stainless fixings near the beach?
- Salt air corrodes standard galvanised screws from the inside out. Grade 316 stainless costs more up front and is the difference between a deck that stays tight and one lifting boards in a few years.
- Can you build a deck over concrete or a flat roof?
- Yes, on adjustable pedestals or a packed frame, provided the waterproof membrane underneath is sound and stays accessible afterwards.
recent decks, pergolas & outdoor
4 projects across Sydney
where we work
get a price on your decks, pergolas & outdoor
tell us about the space and we'll come out, measure up and price it. free, no obligation, and we usually reply the same day.
0450 488 074