Sometimes, a deck is absolutely the right solution.<\/p>\n
And sometimes, it really isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Today I visited a client who wanted to replace their deteriorated deck. At first, it seemed like a fairly straightforward replacement.<\/p>\n
But once I started looking properly, the problems became much clearer.<\/p>\n
The existing deck boards were actually still in reasonably good condition. The real problem was underneath.<\/p>\n
There simply wasn\u2019t enough airflow around the subframe.<\/strong><\/p>\n This had caused the frame to deteriorate and start rotting.<\/p>\n But there was another issue that was even more concerning.<\/p>\n The existing deck was breaching the damp-proof course of the house by around 30mm.<\/p>\n That\u2019s a significant amount \u2014 effectively putting the deck around a full brick course above where it should be.<\/p>\n So, what would it take to build the deck properly?<\/p>\n The existing deck and frame would need to be completely removed. The ground would then need to be excavated sufficiently to allow a correctly designed replacement subframe.<\/p>\n At that point, I\u2019d be looking at something like a recycled plastic or aluminium subframe<\/strong>, correctly designed to deal with the ground conditions and provide the necessary airflow, finished with a good-quality decking product.<\/p>\n Technically, it can absolutely be done.<\/p>\n But here\u2019s the problem.<\/p>\n It would be expensive.<\/strong><\/p>\n When I compared the likely cost of doing all of that properly against excavating the area and installing a patio, the difference was considerable.<\/p>\n Even a high-end porcelain patio could be substantially cheaper.<\/p>\n And as much as I\u2019d love to win the job \u2014 especially after giving up my Sunday morning to visit \u2014 I didn\u2019t feel that decking was the best solution for this particular client.<\/p>\n So I told them.<\/p>\n They appreciated the honesty.<\/p>\n They hadn\u2019t realised there was an issue with the damp-proof course, and apparently another contractor hadn\u2019t raised it either. They also hadn\u2019t been made aware of the different subframe options available.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why I think good advice is just as important as good workmanship.<\/strong><\/p>\n There are areas where a well-built deck simply isn\u2019t worth the additional expense.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re working at ground level and a patio can be installed properly, with good drainage and suitable materials, paving can be an excellent solution.<\/p>\n Depending on the specification, you could be looking at roughly \u00a3200\u2013\u00a3400 per m\u00b2<\/strong> for a quality installation using high-end materials such as porcelain, with sandstone potentially offering a more cost-effective option.<\/p>\n But things change when you start raising the level.<\/p>\n Now you\u2019re potentially looking at:<\/p>\n And suddenly, that patio isn\u2019t looking quite so inexpensive.<\/p>\n This is where decking can become a very attractive option.<\/p>\n A correctly designed and constructed raised deck can often achieve the required level without all of the excavation and masonry involved in creating a raised patio.<\/p>\n A well-built deck can last.<\/p>\n A well-built patio can last.<\/p>\n The right choice comes down to the individual property, the ground conditions, the levels, how the space will be used \u2014 and, of course, the budget.<\/p>\n If you have the budget, there are usually several ways of achieving the result you want.<\/p>\n But most homeowners have a budget they need to work within.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s where honest advice matters.<\/p>\n I\u2019d rather tell a client that decking isn\u2019t the best option for them than take their money to build something I don\u2019t believe will genuinely benefit them.<\/strong><\/p>\n Because ultimately, getting the job isn\u2019t the most important thing.<\/p>\n Getting the right job done properly is<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sometimes, a deck is absolutely the right solution. And sometimes, it really isn\u2019t. Today I visited a client who wanted to replace their deteriorated deck. At first, it seemed like a fairly straightforward replacement. But once I started looking properly, the problems became much clearer. The existing deck boards were actually still in reasonably good […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1363,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[58,48,41,57,38,47,45,59],"class_list":["post-1724","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insights","tag-aluminium-subframes","tag-damp-proof-course","tag-decking-advice","tag-decking-or-patio","tag-decking-subframes","tag-garden-design","tag-raised-decking","tag-recycled-plastic-subframes"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhen does decking make sense?<\/h2>\n
\n
There isn\u2019t one answer for every garden<\/h2>\n