Are you about to embark on building a new deck for your backyard? Before you start, here are some important things you need to know to help you avoid running into any issues during your decking project.

1. Check if you're building your deck in bush fire prone area

There are a number of regulations when building in bush fire areas which may limit the type of building materials and decking products you can use. Australian building standard AS 3959 separates bushfire prone areas into different Bushfire Attack Levels (known as BAL), so it is important that you are aware of your local BAL before selecting your deck materials to ensure your new deck is compliant with the National Construction Code.

2. Research your decking materials and products

There are a range of decking products available and it is a good idea to explore them all. Real timber is always in style; however, it can often require a lot of maintenance with regular staining or painting to keep your deck looking its best. Other options include aluminium decking systems like DecoDeck which offer the beauty of a timber-look finish while being a sturdy durable material that requires very little maintenance, if any.

3. Know how much decking material you’ll need

Realising you don’t have enough material is perhaps the most annoying part of a building project. Once you’ve done your measurements and plans, double check them, and then check them again. Also, remember to include some extra materials in your order as a buffer. If you’re using wood, typically 25% extra is recommended for wastage and off cuts. If using a decking system like DecoDeck, you don’t need to account for faults in the grain or planks being warped, which means you won’t need to order as much, keeping costs to a minimum.

4. What’s under your deck?

Check your house plans for any important pipes or wires that may lie underground and beneath your intended deck. The last thing you want to do is hit a water pipe while building your deck – or have to rip up your deck down the track if there is a problem under your deck!

You should also check with your local council to check whether you need any council permits or building approvals to build your deck.

5. Will your deck need railings?

If you are planning on building your deck more than one metre high, the National Construction Code requires your deck to have a compliant handrail. Decks four metres or higher have additional handrail requirements.

However, even if your deck is less than one metre high, you may decide that your deck design may benefit from a hand rail or even a screening to separate it from another part of your yard or provide privacy from your neighbours.

You’ll want to make sure your handrail matches your deck design, so it will be important to include your handrail calculations in your material order. Products such as DecoBatten and DecoSlat offer great handrail options for use with the DecoDeck decking system.

DecoDeck - Your Decking Solution

DecoDeck is a timber-look aluminium decking system that allows for easy installation and virtually no ongoing maintenance. Available in a range of woodgrain finishes, DecoDeck’s finishing is super durable and is classified as Marine Grade rating from Qualicoat, meaning it is suitable for beachside applications. DecoDeck has also been tested and rated as safe to use in Flame Zone (FZ) which isthe highest bushfire rating zones in Australia. Read more about DecoDeck here.

Want to know more about DecoDeck?

Contact the DECO team about your decking project on 02 9603 1888 or email info@deco.net.au