5 Types Of Decking To Consider For Your Home

Types Of Decking

By John Johnston

For residential homeowners thinking about new home improvements to their garden every year, building a small deck area or even multi-level decking is something to seriously consider for the following reasons.

It’s not only an excellent investment for increasing house value, in many cases you can recoup back 65-90% of what the decking cost. Apart from that benefit, It’s also a great focal point. A niche space for a summertime BBQ or comfortable outdoor furniture to sit and relax in with friends and family.

Now, before putting significant time and money into having a garden deck built at your home let’s look at the most common types of decking installation in more detail.

Raised Decking

With a raised deck, the idea is for the homeowner to utilize a specific space in the garden. Indeed, a decking which is raised can maximize areas of a garden that slopes or are not attached to the ground. Adding a nice set of steps to your deck (spiral staircase, traditional step or a waterfall staircase with the added railing support) will give it an attractive look and style that many will admire and sure to be a conversation starter.

Raised decking can also provide you with the opportunity to get very creative. For example, having a raised deck allows you to add hanging planters or LED lighting for evening events. You could even add some overhanging bird feeders or hummingbird attractors to your deck for your winged guests.

Blending some nature would give off a very holistic experience overall.

Ground Level Decking

Ground-level decking involves a structure made of composite decking or pressure-treated wood, that is not attached to a house, hot tub, pool or some other structure. Ground-level decks are relatively simple to build compared to for example a raised deck. This is because they are stand-alone structures that are not raised off the ground.

Ground-level decking is great to have for bands to play live music on, for an outdoor table and chairs set, stand-alone stoves, or heaters for use in the chilly months, that you can sit next to in the outdoors. This type of decking can even be expanded on at a later point if your back garden is structured for added dimensions. Adding seats and planter boxes can add a nice style for these type of decks.

Multi-Level Decking

Unlike a ground-level deck, the main level of any multi-level deck is that it is close to the house. This deck level is great for open-air grilling as well as for having a large dinner party. With a multi-level raised deck, It is built so that you can walk out from the second floor of the home to the lounge, host dinner, birthday and anniversary parties.

And each level of your multi-level deck can be utilized for different things. Unlike a single-level deck, where the grilling area and the dining area can be all cramped within the same space in the back garden, a multi-level deck can expand your living spaces using the right type of architecture and space usage.

Indeed, for those very larger gatherings with a single-level deck, your guests could spill out onto your garden, due to limited space. Thus, a multi-level deck can come in handy if you and your decking builder, plan it to maximize garden space.

With multiple-level decks, each tier can have a unique purpose. It is very common for the first level of the deck — the one closest to the house — to be used for outdoor grilling and dining.

Some of the other levels of a multi-level deck can include a screened-in porch with door and other private areas that include a hot tub. These multi-level decks can include “sunbursts” that can add extra designs and a uniqueness that your guests and neighbours can admire. There can be fire pits and other outdoor living arrangements like a trellis for your garden deck area.

A patio can also add style as well as structure to the garden by providing a firm base to walk out on from the bottom deck steps.

Round Decking

While most traditional decks consist of a mostly rectangular form with standard railings for support for the stairs and deck, with round decking, the design gets a tad complicated. Indeed, round decking is unique because of their design and extra knowledge and preparation needed to add dropped beams, posts as well as deck footings to reinforce the cantilevered joists that are part of this deck type

Composite Decking

For those who want to use composite decking, it has many benefits as part of a garden deck. This type of decking is an eco-friendly alternative to wood, which is known to be more long-lasting than pressure-treated wood. And composite decking can come in a wide range of colours as well as finishes fitting your budget and aesthetics.

One of the benefits of choosing composite decking is the focus on recycling and sustainability. This type of deck material is made of recycled plastic, wood fibres, and even bamboo. Moreover, these composite decking materials are better for the environment. Some options include certified, LEED-qualified and eco-qualified decking materials.

The use of composite decking may be the ideal choice due to its flexibility. Composite decking contains fibres that allow for the material to be bent to mould with the curved portions of the round deck.

Benefits of Specific Decking

In conclusion, planning and budgeting your best deck materials is crucial. And choosing qualified deck builders like us to complete your garden deck is part of making your living space beautiful and enticing for friends, neighbours, and family.

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