Everybody
enjoys gazing through the window on a bright summer day, wishing you could
spend more time outside. The prospect of sitting on an old deckchair with your
feet dangling in the overgrown grass is not always the most attractive
prospect.
Expanding
your living space outside is becoming the new trend for home improvements and
there is a multitude of accessories to increase the comfort of being outside
from waterproof furniture to heaters for year-round enjoyment. Extensions have
traditionally been the way to get more space but a stylish patio area with some
comfy chairs, scatter of tables and a BBQ is a great alternative to getting the
builders in. You can also avoid the hassle of having to get planning permission
which you would need for an extension. There is also the obvious cost
differential to consider. An extension is exponentially more expensive than
installing a decked area in the garden and comes with a significant amount of
disruption to your home which can last for many months.
Transform your garden.
Composite Decking
boards offer a wide range of options for redesigning your garden. Regardless of
how much space you have, your lifestyle or budget there is no shortage of
choice to introduce some outside inspiration. With some trendy statement,
vibrant coloured furniture you can add your own personality to your space. You
don’t have to be restricted by the traditional wood coloured stains and
varnishes that you will have to use with timber boards.
Composite
boards enable a really clean, seamless finish to your decked area. Due to the
way they are assembled, there will be no visible nails or screws to spoil the
smooth lines. This also removed the potential for screws to work themselves
loose causing a dangerous hazard for bare feet and pets.
Don’t be limited to decks.
A
boardwalk is a really nice addition to any garden. Creating a pathway to a
large decked area or a patio with composite boards gives a really nice seaside
feel. Addition of some lighting and pebbles can let your imagination take you
straight to the beach. A boardwalk doesn’t have to go to a decked area though,
if you have a vegetable plot or flowerbeds, having a route around your garden
which avoids walking on the grass (especially important when it’s wet) makes
your life much easier. The anti-slip properties of the composite boards make
this even more suitable for regular walking. Using composite boards on an area
that will be getting a lot of footfall is a great idea. Timber decking will
become dirty and stained as dirt from your shoes gradually becomes ingrained.
This is a major problem if you have pets who just love to leave their muddy
footprints around. Composite boards can be wiped clean with a damp mop and left
to dry with no issues. You don’t even have to worry about it becoming slippery
when it’s been mopped. When using timber boards, dirt is more likely to get
absorbed into the wood which over time will leave unattractive dark patches
along the commonly used areas. Without a thorough power washer, it can be
difficult to remove these marks. The process of cleaning timber decks can
exacerbate the problem by adding more water stains if the water doesn’t dry
quickly. After sanding, staining and varnishing the timber will be clean but
there will be an obvious difference in colour between the areas that have been
used and those that haven’t.
What if your garden isn’t
level?
Many
gardens are uneven and getting them to the point of balancing a spirit level
can be a very difficult task. A deck made from composite boards is built on a
static structure and can, and should, be made level regardless of the ground
that it is built upon. Attempting to put paving or concrete onto an uneven
surface can be very difficult. A considerable amount of ground will need to be
removed, or additional sand and soil added to the area to get the surface
suitably level. For an added dimension to you composite board deck, split
levels can also be added. This allows dedicated areas to be made for eating on
one level and a separate level for lounging with a book.
You want your garden to be
individual.
For
making a statement in your garden it is possible to add coloured furniture,
lights and accessories. When constructing with composite boards you can also
introduce colour with the structure of the decking. Coloured pigments are added
to the composite boards during manufacture which gives a vast array of
available colours. This flexibility is a great feature of composite boards which
gives the freedom to add the style and individuality that you need. The choice
of colours also gives opportunity to mix and match for a contrasting look.
Instead of making different levels, you may wish to have one section of the
deck in a dark colour for relaxing on a lounge chair and the other section in a
light colour for entertaining. Alternatively there can be a kids section full
of bean bags and toys and a separate adult section, clearly separated by the
colour of the boards.
Extend your home.
To
make your deck a true extension of your living area, a choice of colour also
gives the ability to match your composite decking boards to the flooring
indoors. If you have patio doors, when these are opened there can be a
continuous flow between the garden and the house boundaries resulting in a
striking impression of space. It is simple to construct the composite board
deck to be on the same level as the indoor floor for seamless movement between
the two areas. Coordinating the outdoor furniture with that you have inside
will give extra depth.
Composite
board decks are not limited to your garden. A roof terrace can be a perfect
space to add some colour and texture with a composite board deck. Choose a
colour that will add depth, space and maybe couple with some planters to give a
really tranquil outdoorsy feel, as well as adding a degree of privacy.
