If you want to extend your living area into your garden, or simply looking for a way to bring a piece of nature into your home, garden decking is indeed a good option. All thanks to a garden deck, you can enjoy outdoors without leaving the comfort of your home.
Moreover, you get extra space outside your house to spend some quality time with your family. But for a long-lasting deck, you need to consider the right layout, quality materials like wood or other components involved in making garden decking.
Here are some important things that you must know when making a garden decking for your abode.
Selecting the right location and design
The right location is important for your decking, as it helps you to connect with the best outdoor area in your home. You may either plan for a freestanding deck or get one attached to your backdoor. Once you’ve finalized the location, the next step is to select a design that enhances the appearance of the exterior of your house.
You can get the help of professional exterior designers to make designs that match the original layout of your home. You can also use a 3D software design to see the visual changes virtually.
Selecting the perfect wood
Generally, garden decking is made from hardwoods that are treated to be weather resistant and insect resistant. Hardwoods are not only strong but also aesthetic enough to add to the overall beauty of your decking. You can even clean and refinish these wooden decks at regular time intervals to increase their longevity.
Nowadays, a new hybrid called composite wood decking is getting popular among homeowners across the world. These composite deckings are currently priced high but you need to spend very less amount on their maintenance.
Dealing with permits
In some countries, construction of outdoor decks may be restricted due to local law or code. You must be aware of all such legal restrictions and permits of your country or local community, so it won’t land you in trouble. These rules and restrictions may vary from one place to another, hence it is recommended to know them beforehand.
Building a solid base and levels
Depending on your region, you may or may not be able to use metal elements to secure your base. In that case, you may use concrete for a solid base and also consider the ideal depth of the foundation, depending upon your geographic location.
Also Read: 6 Awesome Ways to Bring Your Garden to Life Using Trees
In case, you want more room, you can construct two or more levels instead of building bigger platforms. This lets your guests congregate in small groups and offer cozier settings to relax. On the second level, you may add a living area or entertainment lounge to break the unattractive fight of stairs on different decks.
Use fasteners
The low-quality screw may corrode over time and cause severe damage to your property. Hence, it’s essential to invest in high-quality fasteners to maintain the rigidity of your deck in the long run. You can invest in stainless steel or coated screws that tend to last longer and work together with pressure-treated wood.
Railings for support
For safety and aesthetics, you may surround your deck with railings, especially if your deck is suspended from the second floor. Look for railings that are strong, as well as add charming appeal to your wooden deck. There are some aesthetic railing material options like vinyl, glass, metal, and composites.
Invest in deck pergola
A pergola can also transform the look of your garden extension from a normal wood platform to an exquisite outdoor room. It also makes room for your outdoor area to add more lights, planters, fans, and furnishing for more luxury.
Garden decking reminders
No matter how much you spend on the garden decking, you must not forget that it is the outdoor element of your house. So, it has to be weatherproof. You need to consider materials that are weather-resistant and they must be strong enough to stand the test of time.
Furthermore, make it a point to select designs that are easy to maintain without spending extra dollars.
