Building a timber deck is a wonderful way to enhance your home and garden. Timber is a natural product, which is versatile and much easier to work with than most other materials. You can construct virtually any shape, size or style you desire from a simple ground level deck to a large raised split-level design complete with railings and steps.

As with any garden design, you need to plan your deck area very carefully; decide what function it will serve, what you wish to put on it, what area you wish to cover and, most of all, whether you want it to surround an area of the house or be sited in another part of the garden.

It is possible to construct simple ground level decking yourself. You can purchase deck kits, which are designed with the competent DIY person in mind. These kits are fairly easy to install and can be installed in one weekend. They come complete with full fitting instructions, screws, bolts and the option to purchase a variety of add-ons such as, pergolas, bridges, handrails, etc. More complex structures are best left to a professional, who will also design the whole thing for you to your required specifications. There are many other accessories available to complement and enhance your deck area such as, hot tubs and spas, lighting, water features, built-in seating, awnings, heating, furniture, planters, railings and steps.

Standard components and decking boards are available from DIY stores and timber merchants and come in softwood and hardwood. The most popular choice appears to be softwood, which has been pressure treated with a preservative to prevent rotting. Hardwood decking boards do not require pressure treatment.

Deck boards usually come in widths of 75mm to 150mm, but wider boards are quicker to install. Grooved boards are also available, offering a better grip in wet conditions. Coloured boards can be purchased to suit your colour scheme in the garden, or you can paint them yourself.

Before you begin constructing your deck, you need to work out the size and site orientation first. You will then need to make sure that your site is properly prepared, otherwise unsightly weeds will begin to grow through in time, spoiling the effect:

1. Mark out the proposed area with wooden pegs and string.
2. Clear all weeds, turf and other debris from the site and compact the ground, leaving a gentle slope towards the outer edge of the deck for drainage.
3. Lay a membrane cover to suppress the weeds and then cover with gravel.
4. You are then ready to begin constructing your frame. You need to work out the finished level and build the deck accordingly – remember that the key to a good decking area is a good solid frame.
5. Decide which way the final decking boards are going to run and then build the main joists of the frame in the opposite direction. The frame can be built directly onto the patio or can be built up using pillars.
6. It is best to screw all boards into position to ensure a good, solid finish, which will last for many years.
7. A reasonable gap should be left between each board to allow for drainage and expansion.
8. Strengthen the basic frame with cross membranes for added strength.
9. You can then paint your decking whatever colour you wish or simply enjoy its natural finish.

Once your decking is complete you will need to take certain steps to ensure that it stays looking good. Keep the deck area clean by regular brushing – a stiff brush should remove mildew and algae. Occasionally, it is a good idea to use a pressure hose for a more thorough clean. Pots should be raised up to allow adequate air circulation and avoid a build up of mould. Providing you use good quality materials and ensure that your decking is well constructed and cared for, you should get many years of enjoyment out of it.

For more decking and patio ideas please visit Build A Patio

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