You’ve decided that a maintenance free, composite decked area is the perfect addition to your garden. However, before you rush out to buy your decking and book a contractor, you may wish to do a bit of research and planning to ensure you get the deck you truly want.
Here are a few factors we think you should consider when planning your new composite decked area:
Location of decking
Where do you wish to place your new composite decked area? You may choose to install your decking adjacent to your home, creating additional living space, and bringing the outside in. Or there may be an area of your garden that has the sun all day and you would like to make the most of it. Wherever you choose to locate your decked area, you need to consider what preparatory groundwork may need to be done. For example, the area may need to be built up or flattened to ensure your decking has a secure base. But why is this important? Well, you need be mindful that location may have an impact on the cost and length of your composite decking project.
Size of decking
The size of your decking will most likely depend on its use. For example, you may wish to use your new decked area for entertaining and as such it will need to accommodate dining furniture and other accessories. Or it could be the base for a shed or outside office and therefore the size will depend on the dimensions of the building. Alternatively, you may be planning a little deck at the bottom of your garden where you can escape to and enjoy your morning coffee. Either way, the size of the area will have an impact on the cost of your new decking, both in terms of materials and labour, and it is good to be forewarned of this when looking for a contractor.
Budget
It is a good idea to have a rough idea of your budget. This will enable you to be realistic in terms of what you can achieve and hopefully help you not to be drawn into spending more than you want to!
Materials – composite or timber?
There are myriad materials on the market for you to choose from, from traditional timber and PVC to quality, long-lasting wood composite. Which you choose will be dependent on what you’re looking for. For example, wood composite decking is long-lasting, slip resistant, rot resistance and virtually maintenance free, whilst timber decking looks attractive but requires regular maintenance and can become slippery when wet. Again, your choice will affect the initial cost of the project, as well as the ongoing costs of maintaining your decking.
Timing
Having a rough idea of when you want your decking area to be complete by, will enable you to plan your project more precisely and estimate a start date. However, bear in mind that contractors may be busier during the spring and summer months, so it may be more prudent to start your project slightly earlier than you think.
Hopefully, by considering these points you will be able to start planning your new decking project. However, if you’re unsure of where to start, our Ecodek experts can offer advice and guidance on how to achieve your dream decked area.