Millboard Limed Oak Deck — Dover Heights
A compact courtyard in Elvina Street, Dover Heights. A new Millboard deck built over the existing paved patio, under deck storage, inset stairs, and a new dressed pine fence — five days on site.
| Location | Elvina Street, Dover Heights |
| Decking | Millboard, Limes Oak |
| Framing | H4 bearers with Millboard Lowdeck H4 treated specialty framing |
| Deck size | Approx 23 m² |
| Fixings | Hidden fixings, picture framed |
| Stairs | Inset stairs to the front corner |
| Fascia | Clad in matching decking |
| Storage | One under deck storage hatch |
| Fencing | Dressed pine, supplied, installed and painted white |
| Build time | 5 days |
The Vision
The old brick paved patio sat two steps above the lawn, so the courtyard worked as two separate areas rather than one — you stepped down to get to the garden, and the drop cut the yard in half. The paling fences were at the end of their life and the brick planter box was doing the space no favours. The owners wanted one level outdoor room running straight out from the living room to meet the lawn cleanly.
The Design
I built over the existing paving rather than demolishing it. Millboard Lowdeck H4 treated specialty framing on H4 bearers let me pick up the height off the old patio without ripping it out first — less spoil, less disruption, and a frame rated for a job sitting that close to the ground. The deck runs roughly 23 m². Millboard in Limed Oak, laid with hidden fixings and picture framed, so there is a clean border on every edge and no screw heads anywhere on the surface.
The fascia is clad in the same board rather than a contrasting trim, which is what makes the deck read as one solid form instead of a platform on legs. Stairs to the front corner rather than inset to maximise the usable deck spacet, keeping the deck line unbroken and the step down to the lawn out of the sightline from the doors. The existing brick planter box on the right side is clad in matching decking through to the back wall, so the brickwork disappears and the planter becomes part of the build.
Storage Built Into the Structure
One hatch in the fascia opens into the full void under the deck — a real storage room, not a crawl space, and the reason the yard stays clear. Closed, it sits flush in the cladding and disappears.
The Fence
Dressed pine, supplied and installed on both boundaries, then painted white. A raw paling fence would have undone the deck. Dressed and painted, it reads as a wall — the deck sits against a clean backdrop instead of competing with weathered timber.
The Result
Five days on site, start to finish. Living room to deck to lawn now reads as one continuous space. Landscaping and planting by Dingo Landscapes.
What the Client Said
Highly recommend Greg and his team at Decksmith. From the first interaction Greg was incredibly knowledgeable on the various option of decking to use. No request was an issue and he worked in well with our timelines always communicating and always on time. The quality of work is second to none and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Thank you Greg and team!
— Justin Baxter, Google review
Why Your Deck Is Built By Me, Not A Crew
I am Greg, owner-builder at The Decksmith. Every deck I quote, I design and build myself. Thirteen-plus years across Dover Heights, Vaucluse, Rose Bay, Bondi, Bellevue Hill and the wider Eastern Suburbs. NSW Licence 272840C.
Book a Consultation
Call Greg on 0468 486 290 — The Decksmith, owner-builder, Lic. 272840C.