Have you ever stood looking at your home and wondered how to add more character, warmth and style to the exterior? The simplest way to do this is by adding a decking system to the exterior of your home.
A decking system is not only an impressive addition, but it’s also an extremely practical one that can enhance both the style and function of your home. By choosing the right materials and the right design, you’ll be able to create a beautiful deck that has all the bells and whistles while still holding true to your household’s sense of style.
Kickstart your decking with a plan
When you think about decking, what do you picture? A wooden deck surrounded by a white picket fence, perhaps? You might be surprised at how many different kinds of decking exist and how many different reasons there are for building one.
To kickstart your decision-making process, consider these four factors: cost, location and setting, size and shape. Consider your options carefully before investing in any kind of decking. It’s likely that once you build a deck, it will remain an integral part of your lifestyle for years to come.
It’s easier than ever before to take advantage of modern materials and design features; but because there are so many things that can go into a project like this, it’s also more likely than ever that something could go wrong.
This might not necessarily be with craftsmanship or build quality, but simply from making poor decisions along the way which is why the plan is crucial to make sure you're 100% happy with your deck once it's finished.
Guide To Different Types Of Decking Materials
Your decking is an extension of your home. It’s a major investment that you want to protect by maintaining it well. With different materials, there are numerous methods and ways you can approach taking care of it.
You have three basic choices for deck material: timber, composite or other/newer materials (such as bamboo). Each has its own pros and cons. Understanding these differences can help you make a choice on which material makes sense for you.
For example, wooden decking looks great but requires more maintenance than composites do. This is why composite might be a better option if you're not handy with tools. We'll discuss each type below in more detail as well as more in-depth pros and cons that will help you decide.
One option when building decking in your garden is to do it yourself but people who are doing the decking themselves spend a lot of time trying to figure out how much plywood or lumber you need.
Take one simple step before beginning any of your projects by creating a cut list (list of cuts required) based on what the building code requires and factoring in some extra cutting allowance just in case something unexpected happens during construction.
This will give you the correct amount of materials saving on waste or not having enough.
The Value of adding decking
If you’re looking for a way to expand your living space without needing more land, decking may be a good solution. It can be used not only for patios and walkways but also as a way to create additional rooms. One great benefit to adding a deck to your home is it also influences the value of your home.
While there are varying opinions on how much a deck adds value to your home, many experts in the UK agree that on average, it can add 10% value to your home. So if you’re looking at £250,000, that’s a £20,500 increase. Of course, it may not apply to all circumstances.
But regardless, adding a deck will increase your home value.
Aside from adding a deck, landscaping and gardening also have a huge impact when it comes to selling houses. Small makeovers can increase your home’s value by at least 5%. So if you execute a well-planned home improvement for your outdoor spaces, you can potentially add 20% from decking, landscaping, and decorating your home’s exterior.
However, there are many reasons why the price may differ. Using different materials colours and the overall amount of decking will change the percentage of your house added on.
The luxury of decking
Did you know that a deck adds more value to a house than any other feature on a property? A recent study revealed that 48% of people would pay more for a house with an attractive deck. Similarly, those looking for new homes in their neighbourhood will take into account how many houses around them have decks.
Why do we love our decks so much? Because they're stylish and unique. This allows people to be creative and having a bespoke decking fit to your garden will make it unique as it’s unlikely that one deck will ever be the same as another.
One of the most popular ways decking can be used is to support and go around your spa or hot tub. When it comes to outfitting an outdoor space, hot tubs are must-haves. But adding a hot tub to your decking will require careful planning.
You will need to consider everything from ensuring adequate structural support to determining the optimal location for the hot tub as well as understanding all the electrical requirements needed to install your hot tub.
Hot tubs are one of many ways you can use decking to make your garden as luxurious as the rest of your home. Each garden is completely different so there's never one way you can add decking to your garden.
Pros and cons of decking
Wood vs composite If you’re thinking about decking, you’ve probably spent a lot of time reading about both. If you need convincing, here are some pros and cons for each material to help you decide which is best for your project.
The first thing to consider is what type of decking will fit best in your backyard or patio. You can choose from four common materials when building a backyard deck: wood, composites, recycled plastics and synthetic wood. Each has its own set of benefits (and potential drawbacks) to consider before deciding on one that's right for you.
Which Material Makes The Best Decking For Your Home? This is something that cannot be said enough times, picking out a new decking material will have an impact not only on appearance but also strength, longevity and environmental friendliness.
Understanding what makes good quality decking will go a long way towards helping you make an informed decision as to what kind of product works best for your project.
For more in detail pros and cons of decking read our blog based completely on the positives and negatives of both composite and timber decking.
If you've been inspired to build your decking. Visit our decking page and order yours today.
