Those of us with the luxury of having an outside area want to make the most of it during the long summer days.
Whether you want to spend time gardening, maintaining your garden pond, or relaxing on some comfortable garden furniture, a deck can be the perfect addition to your backyard.
Decks and decking materials are incredibly versatile. The different garden decking materials, such as timber decking, hardwood decking or composite decking each add a unique touch to your garden. Each of these materials can also be used in a variety of ways and designs.
Our composite decking boards are incredibly durable, stylish and eco-friendly, making them the perfect decking material for your backyard.
In this article, we will look at how you can transform your decking area and how versatile decking boards really are. Read on for some inspiration before you begin gathering your tools for building garden decking.
The Versatility of Decking Materials
Decks are very versatile because they can be combined with different types of gardens. Whether you have a grassy lawn, dirt patch, or an existing terrace – a deck will blend seamlessly with these features.
Decks can be used to create pathways, outdoor kitchens, seating areas, dining areas, or a place to entertain. You can also use deck boards to create steps if you have a terraced garden or an established paved patio.
The other thing that makes decking so versatile is the usefulness of the deck boards. One material can be used for multiple purposes: you can construct a deck frame, pathway, or cladding for an outdoor bar.
Different textures, colours or decking materials can be combined to create a visually interesting backyard that can be enjoyed by everyone.
Ideas for Your Next Decking Project
Decking helps you make the most of your outdoor space. Let’s take a look at some creative ideas that showcase the versatility of decking as a design tool for your garden.
Use two or more colours
One of the main benefits of deck boards is the variety of colours and finishes that is available. Any type of decking material tends to come in more than one colour, while composite decking boards tend to come in different finishes as well.
By combining different colours from the same material, you are creating visual interest.
Different colours can also be used to designate different zones in your garden.
Match your deck with your pergola
Using similarly textured or coloured deck boards (or painting the boards to match each other), you can create a type of outdoor room that stands out from the rest of the garden.
Matching a pergola with your deck boards will create a cohesive, cosy look. Adding outdoor furniture to the space that matches the decking colour scheme will add an even more homey feel to your seating area.
If you already have a pergola and an existing deck, you know that your pergola needs to be maintained every so often. So why not change it up and use some new coloured outdoor paint with wood preservatives to give your outdoor space a facelift?
Use different styles
The versatility of decking means there are different styles available. You can combine different styles in one area to create an elegant space outside.
If you are planning a timber deck, use thin and thick planks to create interest. If you are planning on a composite deck, use deck boards with different wood fibres to mix and match the styles.
Create a level outdoor area
Decks are very useful if your backyard is uneven because of lumpy soil or a sloped lawn.
Decks can be used to create a level outdoor area where you can create comfortable entertaining spaces.
Even if you already have a paved area outside, laying decking over this area will instantly upgrade your backyard, and also add a different level to the space.
Use composite decking for a sunken fire pit
Nothing says retro-modern quite like a sunken outdoor fire pit. And why not make that fire pit extra comfortable by constructing a conversation pit with built-in seating around the fire?
Decking boards can be used to construct seating and backrests, as well as the flooring and steps of a sunken fire pit with a conversation area. Simply add a couple of outdoor cushions to the seats and you will have an incredibly comfortable space to connect with loved ones around the fire.
Create a tile effect
Composite decking tiles are very easy to use in a variety of deck designs. These interlocking tiles are very easy to lay and work great in a smaller garden or on a small balcony.
These tiles are perfect for people renting their homes, as the tiles can easily be removed and no planning permission is required.
Play with contrasting colours
The different coloured decking boards mean you can play with colours to enhance your space.
Make decking steps one colour and the walkway or main deck another. This deck design will not only look pretty but also has a safety feature as the stairs will be easily distinguishable and will prevent some twisted ankles at night.
You can also contrast your deck with the other colours in your garden. A light composite fence will look great with dark boards on your deck. Or a light deck can be combined with dark balustrades.
Change up the orientation
Some wood or composite deck boards come with etched lines for grip as boards can be slippery when wet.
These engraved lines can also be used to create a beautiful effect in your backyard. You can change the orientation of the boards to direct the eye around the garden.
Horizontal boards will make an area look larger, making this orientation ideal for an outside seating area. Diagonal boards on a square deck will give your backyard a modern twist.
Just make sure you have a firm grasp on the orientation during the planning process, as you do not want to start cutting boards without an idea of what you want to do.
Engraved boards and different colours can also be used in interesting layouts to create patterns on your deck or create a defined deck edge.
Use decking squares
Although most deck boards are elongated, the use of square blocks of deck material can completely transform your garden. Instead of building a deck with these, you can use the square deck boards as stepping stones to create a natural garden path amongst lush foliage.
Create zones and levels
Decks can be used to create different functional zones or different levels in the backyard. You can add tiered seating areas or a raised dining area.
These different levels can create different areas that each has a unique purpose, whether you are entertaining or just relaxing by yourself.
Build a pathway
Deck boards can be used to build a pathway across your garden. This is an easy way to construct a level pathway without having to struggle with paving and concrete.
Combine with other textures like stones
Deck boards can be used with other natural materials or textures in your garden. You can build a broken-up walkway using boards interspersed with natural stone or ground-cover plants for a beautiful addition to your yard.
Is Composite Decking Worth It?
As we have clearly proven above, any kind of decking material is incredibly versatile. But we have to mention composite decking and its benefits.
This type of eco-friendly material is certainly worth it, and not only because it is so flexible to use in the garden.
Composite decking can be aesthetically pleasing in almost any garden, no matter the garden furniture or vegetation you have. The variety of colours, textures and finishes makes this one of the most versatile decking materials out there.
This type of decking is also hardy and does not require a lot of maintenance. Unlike wood decking, composite boards do not absorb water, meaning they will last for a very long time, with very little effort on your part.
If you have existing timber decking that is starting to look a little bit worse for wear, you will not regret upgrading to composite deck boards.
These boards are not only long-lasting, but they are also slip-resistant, meaning your little ones can run around outside even when it is raining or the sprinklers are on.
In the long run, composite decking is definitely worth it. The low maintenance, long life span and easy installation make this a brilliant eco-friendly alternative to building your perfect outdoor space.
FAQs
What are the disadvantages of composite boards?
Although composite decking boards can be a bit expensive to purchase, they make up for it with their durability and low maintenance cost.
Does composite decking get hot in summer?
All surfaces that bake in the sun will get hot. Dark deck boards will absorb more heat, so if you are concerned about your deck getting too hot, opt for lighter boards instead.
Final Thoughts
Decks have become increasingly popular in the UK, and it is easy to see why. Decks are incredibly versatile and can have a variety of purposes – from entertaining to relaxing, you can make your deck the outdoor living space of your dreams!
