Almost every gardener from the beginner to the experienced home handyman can use deck board to create a practical and attractive level area once they have learned how to buiuld decking. One of the main reasons for this is that deck boards are both practical and easy-to-work. Indeed, in recent years, they become one of the most popular and cost-effective ways to improve both the practicality and the appeal of gardens.

When you know how to build decking you’ll realise that it can be readily combined with other garden features and hard landscaping to create DIY decking. In fact many gardeners use it to incorporate planting schemes, ponds and decorative statues, birdbaths or sundials that will become the centrepiece of any garden setting, whether in the traditional country cottage or the stylish contemporary home. You may decide to choose a decking kit and these are readily available, with most incorporating different kinds of deck boards as well as stairs, railings and balustrades. The creative gardener will also find that a decking kit with pergolas and panels can be useful, as it can offer many design possibilities around the home and garden.

DIY decking is lighter and easier to handle than traditional hard landscaping materials like paving, bricks and blocks, which is especially advantageous when building any raised areas too as the entire structure is less heavy and needs less supporting. Remember though that decking designs often call for deck boards to be installed with steps and at a raised height so it may pay to call in more expert help to install this type of deck design.

Decking materials are especially suitable for use on uneven, damp or wet ground as well as on both level and sloping sites and the fact that they need no specialised contractors or wet trades, means there is usually far less work involved when constructing decking designs. Moreover, one of the great benefits of deck board of course is that it is relatively easy to work using simple DIY tools and equipment. This means that any deck design project should not be beyond the reach of most average homeowners.

Finally, in these environmentally conscious days, it makes good sense to choose products from sustainable sources so look out for FSC-approved timber that has been pre-treated to give many years of reliable all weather performance. Remember too that lichen growth can make a slippery surface in wet weather so choose decking materials with a grooved surface for extra safety against slipping.

At the end of the day, what makes all kinds of deck boards so useful is their exceptional versatility and ease of use. Just about anyone can create a pleasing and practical design that will give useful extra space for all kinds of entertaining and recreational activities yet at a surprisingly modest cost.

Written by Les Renshaw