Hi Mailman - the uprights are not actually fixed to the boundary wall. As each is 4 inches square they are sitting on the concrete floor, and believe me they will not be moving the weight they are. The deck rails are screwed to them which also gives extra stability - there is no movement in them at all.
Posibly studders, possibly :wink: I did check all the joints before starting and renewed the highest one on the kitchen sink outlet as a precaution as it looked fairly weak, so fingers crossed......
Managed to get on with the rest of the decking today, and was just able to build the step out of the timber I had left. I had wanted to build it as a rectangular frame supported on legs but due to a lack of timber went with 2 independant cross supports with a third fixed to the main deck legs. These are then held in place by the step decking boards themselves. Not ideal, but its still rock solid and all hidden
After finishing the decking and the step that was about it for the day as it was time for my sons 6th birthday party. So alas, no trellis in the three days. On the plus side there is possibly just about enough decking boards left for a couple of planters for the roses SWMBO wants to grow.
All in all fairly happy with the result so far given the time frame in which I built it. Top tips for anyone contemplating the same type of build - have a mate to hold the uprights when building a pergola while you screw the top members into place! Secondly never, ever, assume you have enough screws for the job at hand. Must be almost 300 screws in that of various lengths :shock: And thats without screwing the trellis together.
Actually quite enjoyed doing it as a project - its the closest I have been to 'woodwork' for a while what with work and general DIY and decorating taking precedence over workshop time. Probably not quite up to a Ground Farce finish, but good enough that SWMBO is happy and thats fine for me!
Steve.
