A deck can transform the most unused and awkward corner of your garden to the most used part of your house from spring to autumn. It provides a level surface for a table and chairs to connect the house to the lawn and provides a much cleaner and dryer surface that requires a lot less maintenance than many homeowners expect. One of the best ways for a homeowner to get a deck is to start from a set of ready to go parts as opposed to a pile of wood.
Why a kit can save time
When you build a deck from scratch, you estimate the number of joists, boards, and posts you need, and then calculate the number of fixings, and place orders for each. You hope you didn’t miss anything. A deck kit takes a lot of that work out for you. The sizes are worked out, the boards are cut to size, and fixings are included, so you don’t have to spend your free time trying to calculate how much your project will cost. It is also easier to compare costs when one price covers the entire project.
Where to start
If you want to see how the sizes and prices compare, a selection of decking kits is a handy place to begin.
Measuring and preparing the site
Measure twice, order once. Take into account the position of the sun during the day, where door(s) open, and where legs of furniture will need to clear. Clear the area of turf and roots. Gravel will help drain the water, and a membrane will help keep the deck from rotting. A deck that remains wet underneath will always age quicker.
Choosing the boards
The reason why softwoods are the standard for pre-cut timber kits is because they are affordable and easy to cut. Look for boards that have been pressure treated. The insect and rot protection will help the timber last longer. The boards will also need treatment over time. The grooves or ribbed surface on the board will help with traction in wet conditions. Hardwoods and composites last longer and require less treatment. Expanding the boards by a few millimetres will allow water to leave the board and prevent the board from buckling.
Height, safety and permission
While most garden decks require no planning permission, there are restrictions on height, and these increase if your property has had permitted development rights removed, or if you are in a conservation area. A good rule of thumb is that a deck more than about 30 cm above the ground should be checked first with your local authority. A higher deck also requires a balustrade to provide safety and a handrail to provide a step down. A sturdy handrail would be required at any step.
Looking after the finished deck
Wet leaves decay, and create an environment favourable to algae growth. Wet leaves also make the boards slippery. That is why you should sweep off the leaves and debris as much as possible. The boards should be washed at least once or twice a year. For this, you should use a stiff brush and a cleaner that has low or no scratching potential. In addition, to maintain the look of the boards, you should apply decking oil or stain every year or two.
Common mistakes to avoid
The biggest mistake people make when building a deck is cutting corners on the frame. A deck is only as good as its support, so make sure your joists are supported and evenly spaced, and fixed to a firm surface or posts. Another common mistake is forgetting to add a slight fall to the deck surface of about 1 cm over a deck surface of 1 m. This helps surface water drain off, rather than collect on the deck surface. Also, leave small gaps between boards. The small gaps help keep deck flat over its life, and also stop water from collecting between boards.