How To Create The Perfect Outdoor Deck

Adding a deck to your outdoor area not only adds value to your home, it also adds a world of enjoyment. Imagine having a dedicated place to entertain family and friends or somewhere tranquil to relax after a long day. You’ll feel like you’re on holiday.    

Whether you’re the hands-on building type or more of an ideas and design person, you’ll want to do as much research as possible before any decking is laid. Some of the questions you should consider are: 

• Do I choose timber or composite?
• Which product lasts longer when exposed to the weather?
• Is there decking specific for pool areas?

Then there’s the colour, the accessories and design. Let’s take a more detailed look at what it takes to create the perfect outdoor deck.

Choosing between Timber and Composite Decking

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to use timber or composite decking. Both have their pros and cons but which one is best for you?

Timber Decking

Timber decking includes natural timbers like Jarrah, Spotted Gum, Blackbutt, Fijian Mahogany and Merbau. These products are created as nature designed them and often no two boards are alike. Some people prefer the look and texture of timber boards and feel that plastic composite boards are unnatural. Ironically, choosing a natural product like timber requires more hands-on maintenance.

Unless you want your timber deck to prematurally deteriorate, you must keep it properly maintained with a protective coating. This is not a one-off job, you’ll have to reapply the coating over the life of your timber deck.

Composite Decking

As the technology and manufacturing of composite decking has improved, so too has its popularity. Today’s composite boards have the look and appeal of timber but without the ongoing maintenance. For those do-it-yourselfers, you may prefer to build with composite decking – the long, set lengths are a dream to work with. While composite decking may be a larger upfront investment compared to timber, it provides a long lasting, low maintenance decking option.   

Designs For Your Outdoor Deck 

There are endless outdoor deck designs you can choose from. Here are some ideas to get you inspired.

Split-level Decking

Incorporating raised decking areas allows you to create unique angles and give your backyard a viewing platform and different designated zones.

Undercover Decking

Minimising your deck’s exposure to the weather will help extend its life. A covered deck also gives you multiple furniture options and you’ll create a space that can be used all year round.   

Pool Decking

Composite decking is a popular option around pools. It’s not affected by water exposure and comes in non-slip varieties. It’s also splinter-free – perfect for bare feet.

Lighting your deck

Incorporating decking lights will add another element to your outdoor area. You may use lighting for added safety or purely aesthetics, either way it’ll also encourage you to use your outdoor deck day and night.

Colour matching

If you want to match the colour of your deck to the colour of your existing décor, you’ll have more options with composite decking than timber decking. Composite decking is more consistent in colour; however, you may find the contrasting colours of timber decking are more eye-catching. 

How your outdoor decking boards are made

Understanding how and where your decking is made is important for two main reasons:

1. It can determine the overall cost of your decking
2. It allows you to make a moral choice about which decking to purchase 

Most of the timber used for your outdoor timber deck will come from sustainably managed forests. The Australian managed plantations ensure that resources are plentiful and are continuously replenished for future generations. The careful control of resources has kept prices affordable for everyday households.

Composite Timber is made from a combination of materials including sawdust, wood chips and recycled plastics. Basically, materials that would have been discarded or sent to landfill are being used to create new composite timber decking.   

Now that you know more about the various types of decking and design available, you can start the next step – product samples and quotes. If you’d like a sample of a particular timber or composite deck, Decking Perth can help. 

If you’ve got more questions about designs for your deck or you want to find a qualified builder who can make your ideas come to life, contact the team at Decking Perth.