Indecisive about whether or not a garden room with decking would be a suitable option for you? We are here to help you with that!
Adding a garden building to your home is a clever way to increase living space. You can use this extra space as a yoga studio, home office, bar or simply somewhere to relax and spend some “me time” after a tiring day. While a garden room itself is an asset, adding a deck around it will definitely help to spruce it up.
What Is a Garden Room with Decking?
A garden building can either be built on the top of a deck or the decking can be used as an external extension of the garden room. Some of the purposes that a deck serves in this regard are as follows:
A Base for The Building
A deck base provides a simpler and more serviceable foundation for your garden room than a concrete base. It offers a perfect solution for areas where the ground is uneven or where a concrete base will not be a suitable option. Moreover, a deck base will be easier to disassemble and then rebuild at a new site if you move house or want to change the location of your garden room. Such a base typically includes:
- A timber frame
- Plastic supports that can be recycled
- Concrete footings to bear the weight
More Space To Be Used
A large deck around your garden room means you have more floor space that can be used for various purposes.
- You can use the front deck as an outdoor dining area. Add furniture made out of some light material like wicker or plastic and be closer to your beloved plants while enjoying your meals.
- Growing plants on your deck is also a great idea. The soil in plant pots warms up quickly thus providing a better-suited climate for the plants to thrive.
- Many people use the extra space to maintain a fire pit. This will enable you to stay warm and toasty while enjoying your garden on chilly evenings, although care should always be taken if your decking is wooden, keep a fire extinguisher on hand and ensure your fire is completely out before you leave.
- It’s a good idea to store your garden tools on the deck, preferably in a storage box, especially if you are using the garden room as an office and want to keep its look professional.
Decking Paths And Walkways
You can install wooden pathways to connect your garden building to your house, patio, or pool. These walkways are sturdy, inexpensive, and can add to the beauty of your yard, good maintenance will be required to avoid the surface becoming slippery.
Things To Consider When Designing A Garden Room Deck
1. Choose the Material Carefully
The material used to build the decking can be:
A. Timber
Timber remains the top choice of people when it comes to outdoor decking. Its pros being:
- Timber gives a natural and rustic look to the structures.
- Timber is easy to deal with which cuts down on the installation cost.
- Good quality timber boards are durable and do not deform as quickly as other materials.
B. Composite decking
Another great option for this purpose is composite decking. The “composite” is made up of a blend of wood pulp, sawdust, and plastic. This mixture is ultimately shaped into boards. These boards are made to look like timber. Composite is preferable to timber if you need something inexpensive that is also low maintenance.
C. Plastic decking
If you are a very busy person and cannot make time for the maintenance of your deck, then plastic is your best option. It is quite cheap too. You can also use recycled plastic for this purpose.
D. Fibre Cement
Fibre cement is also a composite building material that is made up of cement, mica, cellulose, and other additives like PVA. It is a great option if you’re looking for durability. It is less prone to warping and splitting and it can tolerate extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions. Initially, it can prove to be expensive but its durability makes it worth the money.
E. Aluminium
Aluminium comes with its own set of advantages. It is more long-lasting than timber and is low maintenance. On top of that, an aluminium deck is economical, too. However, it is noisy to walk on and can get slippery very easily. These are some serious disadvantages that aluminium has over timber.
2. Invest in High-Quality Screws
If you are thinking of saving money by buying low-quality screws for your deck, you should reconsider your decision. Low-quality screws are more prone to corrosion and may stain the deck boards. The screws also bear the weight of the structure, which is another reason why you need to invest in high-quality fasteners. Often, when old decks become rickety, it’s because of the screws.
3. Anti-Slip Stains
Deck floors can get slippery very easily which may prove to be hazardous. Anti-slip coatings or deck oils are usually used to make the floor slip-resistant. You need to keep these options in mind to keep your deck from getting slippery. You should also add railing around your deck for protection, especially if it’s a raised deck.
4. Create Shade For Your Deck
If you’re planning on using your garden room deck as an outdoor living space, you might want to consider adding some form of shade to it. It will prevent direct sunlight from damaging the floorboards. Shade is also good for privacy. In most outdoor living spaces, pergolas are used to create shade.
5. Planning Permission and Building Regulations
There are sometimes planning rules and building regulations that need to be followed for building a deck in your garden. Planning permission may be needed if you want to add extensions to your property. You need to make sure that the design and style you have in mind does not violate these requirements.
Reasons You May Need To Rethink Your Choice
A garden room with decking is not always a good idea. The following points regarding the disadvantages may help you to make a decision:
- Even if the decking material is low maintenance, it still needs to be looked after. Moss or algae growth on the floor may make it slippery. You will need to clean it regularly. Similarly, regular inspection will also be needed to prevent any protruding nails or loose boards from causing further damage.
- If planning permission is required for the deck it is an added inconvenience.
- Building and maintaining a deck may be expensive. High-quality timber needs to be stained and painted regularly. This annual maintenance requires money, time and energy.
- When you decide to move to a new place, the deck may have to be disassembled and then carried to your new home.
Final Word
A deck would be an excellent option to be used as the foundation of your garden room if your garden is uneven. It would create a levelled pathway to walk on and a little extra floor space around your garden building. All the things you need to know about garden buildings with a deck have been explained in this article. We hope you will find this helpful.