We’ve all been through uncertain times over the past year, with so many events, holidays and social gatherings cancelled, with many of us working from home and experiencing life in lockdown.
It’s been turbulent, to say the least, but it’s allowed us all to focus on the things that matter — family! How often do you spend time with your family these days? We need to get back to summer barbecues and evenings under the stars, but to do so you need a decking. With a high-quality deck, you can have a place that’s ideal for entertaining!
But with so many decking board choices out there, how can you be sure the one you choose will help your family the most?
Know your function
It all depends on what kind of party or get-togethers you plan to host, but generally speaking if it’s a lot of foot traffic then go for a hardwood option. If you’re looking at something classy and more nature-inspired, maybe try wood-look composites — all are great options!
Spare a thought for your unique style
Will you be hosting friends and family on a daily basis? Then go for something brighter. If you’re looking at it more for special occasions, pick an exotic wood to really impress your guests.
Build your deck to last
It’s not just about the initial outlay, it’s also about how long you want something if you plan on using it every day. Hardwood will be strong but can warp or fade with heat and moisture over time. Wood-look composite is great for outdoors, but not quite as resilient against tough conditions. For best results (and maybe even a few free drinks) go for something that lasts like aluminium!
Know your options
When it comes to decking you have a few different options available. The cheapest and least durable is timber, which is what you generally see in homes. It can be very beautiful but needs to be stained or treated regularly and takes a long time to recover from damage. Timber-look composite wood replacements will look great and take less upkeep than genuine timber but may need replacing in years time when the material starts to warp. Of course, you could always go for something that really lasts like steel or aluminium – just budget accordingly!
Materials and positioning
The final aspect you need to consider is how visible your decking will be from the inside? Will it just sit below window level or will passers-by be able to see it? If they can see it then you might want something a bit less tacky than untreated timber which is extremely prone to rotting. There are various options to reduce this impact – including using a non-wood alternative for the decking itself or applying special treatments to the timber while it is being grown. Otherwise, you could try changing your internal decor!