Looking for an easy make-over for your deck, old concrete patio or any external entertaining area? Decking squares are the answer.
Your existing area will need to be relatively flat, square or rectangular which also has good drainage, if you tick these boxes, you are on your way.
Decking squares are easily installed, making them ideal for the home handy person and depending on the size of the area, you can create a new deck in a day. They are squares of composite wood, sometimes fixed to a polypropylene base and they are fully finished and come ready to use. As they simply click together, special tools and expertise are not required. As they can be laid to resemble parquetry, it is a good idea to have a reasonable sense of design and plan the layout beforehand.
Old wood decks or areas of concrete can be completely transformed and as they are not nailed or screwed to another surface they can be used by tenants in rental properties, as they can be removed in the future.
Adding a deck to a property is one of the most popular ways of adding value to a home, so it could be something which is done when putting the property on the market. But it will also extend the enjoyment of a home, so put one in while you can get the benefit of it.
Whether you are using decking squares or other materials the first thing is to ensure you have the correct building permit from your local council. Then plan the project properly and the first decision is why do you want the deck? Is it to extend a living area to the great outdoors, make an outdoor kitchen, install decking around a pool or hot tub or simply have a comfortable place to sit under the trees?
You could have your deck free standing/floating or attached to the house, where it is attached you will need to prepare the house and ensure your plans allow for joins and clearances e.g. around doors where necessary. Maybe an elevated deck to provide a usable space underneath is an option.
When selecting the location think about the privacy aspect, how much sun and shade you want, will it be open to the winds, what sort of view do you want?
When considering the activities you will need to think about steps and railings, some councils would insist on railings as a safety feature, the type of lighting and any other features to be built to establish your ideal area.
Before any work starts get advice on how best to use the decking squares to end up with an outdoor retreat which can be enjoyed year-round.
Futurewood is a leading Australian supplier of Composite decking squares.
