Planning a new deck for your garden can be an exciting prospect. However, there are some key points to think about before you start. This quick guide will help point you in the right direction to make an informed decision and avoid the potential pitfalls of building a deck. Follow this guide, and before you know it, you will be sitting back and relaxing on your new eco-friendly Composite De
What is the purpose of your deck?
The starting point when planning your deck should be what you want to use it for. Will it be used as an entertaining space in your garden? Will you use it for barbecuing or cooking? Will it be a private area? Different functions require different amounts of space, different design considerations and different accessories.
What is your budget?
How much you want to spend is a significant influence on your design. From the size to the accessories, if you do it yourself or employ someone to lay it for you, all these decisions are affected by your budget.
What is the planned location?
When considering the location of your deck, you need to think about the practical demands. For example:
the size of your garden,
entrances to your house and garden,
whether your space is overlooked or private,
the different views from your garden.
Look out for other factors that may not be immediately obvious such as where you get sun or shade and where is exposed to the wind or sheltered from it. Whilst the size of your space has the most noticeable impact, don’t forget to weigh up all those other considerations.
What will your deck look like?
Designing a deck involves a lot of considerations. The size and shape you decide on means striking a balance between budget and location. The design and colour should also match your home’s exterior, complimenting the whole rather than looking out of place.
Remember that your garden should be at least twice as big as your deck in most situations.
You can employ a garden designer or landscape designer to help your get the right design for your wants and needs.
We work with several reputable garden design professionals and can share their details should you wish to follow this route.
What components and accessories will you need?
Deck components and accessories are more than finishing touches. They can be fundamental in the construction and transform the character of your finished deck.
Some examples of the various Composite Decking accessories and components you might need to include to complete your design and project:
Railings
Facias and cladding
Corner trims
Joists and pedestals
Built-in seating
Shading
Screens
Cladding
Fixings
Lighting
Planter boxes
One of Composite Decks’ many benefits is that accessories are available in a range of traditional and contemporary colours, allowing tones to be contrasted or combined to highlight features or give a sleek, modern finish. They are also made from the same eco-friendly, durable, easy-care material as our Composite Deck boards.
Should you do it yourself or get in someone to build it for you?
The decision between undertaking the project on your own or hiring a contractor is a big one; therefore, it is worth carefully weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of each choice.
Pros of DIY
Building your own deck gives you control over the whole project.
The total cost of your deck can be significantly reduced if you don’t have to hire a professional.
Finishing the project on your own will give you a great sense of achievement.
The skills you learn can be applied to future projects.
To help make things easy, we have Installation Instructions and a Decking Project Calculator on our website.
Cons of DIY
You may need to learn new skills.
DIY projects can take longer to complete than those done by a professional.
It might be necessary to rent or buy new tools, making DIY less cost-effective.
Pros of working with a contractor
A good contractor will understand any building requirements and considerations.
Using a professional can help ensure the quality of your deck.
A contractor may be able to get the job done in a faster timescale.
Cons of working with a contractor
It can be time-consuming to find and vet contractors before committing to hiring one to build your deck.
It can be more expensive to add a deck to your garden if you pay for the help of experts.
We know that sometimes it can be challenging to make the right decision and that some people like to talk to an expert. Should you have any questions about planning, designing or building your Composite Deck, our dedicated service team are on hand to answer any questions.
