Every home should have a deck in the backyard, which is an area where the family can relax and enjoy the sunshine, and in this article, we offer a complete guide to building a deck at the rear of your home.
Table of Contents
Create a to-scale plan
This is the first step; you need to measure the area and decide on the length and width of the deck, which should be a minimum of 4m x 3m and a lot bigger if you have the space. The average size would be one-third of the total garden area, which would be in proportion to the complete garden. Use a large sheet of paper to draw your plan, and you can add features and furniture as you go.
Soil removal
Of course, you will need to dig out a certain amount of topsoil to allow the deck to be level with the back door of the home, which can be moved to another area of the garden to build a rockery. Ideally, you need at least 12 inches below the floor line if you are going to build a timber deck. A Bobcat would be the perfect tool to dig out the deck area, or you could do it by hand if you are feeling fit.
Setting the foundation posts
The best solution is screw piles for deck, which are easy to install and will remain solid for a lifetime; there are Canadian companies that specialise in screw piling, and they can quickly set the support posts, which should be every 2 metres, and you can start to construct the deck. Of course, the posts need to be level, which the installation team would handle. They offer a comprehensive warranty on all of their installations.
Building the framework
Ideally, you should use 2×2 timber to build the framework; start with the perimeter, then add timber struts every metre, and that should be enough to support the weight. Make sure the timber is treated to prevent decay or insect damage. Once the framework is finished, you can start to install the timber tongue & groove planks, making sure the deck slopes slightly away from the house. Joints should be staggered, much like brickwork, and all nails and screws should be countersunk and filled with a filler before you treat the deck with a varnish/preservative.
Building fencing
Of course, your new deck needs to have support around the perimeter, which should be made from timber; a gate at the back end would allow access to the garden. If you would rather outsource the deck build, a Google search would bring up a list of landscape gardeners that could easily design and build your deck.
Shade
You ideally want shading on your deck, which you can have from a permanent roof or an awning, or even a few well-placed cantilever umbrellas. There are many options, either permanent or temporary; you can consult the contractor who built your deck, and they can advise you on effective shading.
Additional features
You could, for example, add a trough around the perimeter, fill it up with soil and plant some flowers, which would add some colour to the deck. Consider large pots to plant a few small conifer trees to place around the perimeter. Lighting is another aspect you need to consider, and with the current level of solar technology, you can have solar lights that automatically turn on when the light dims.
Professional solutions
Rather than trying to build a deck yourself, you can hire a specialised company that has many years of hands-on experience; they can design the deck and carry out the work. You could also have the rest of the garden landscaped, which would transform your outdoor living space. Unless you have experience, the free time and all the required tools and equipment, we advise you to contact a Canadian company that specialises in outdoor design and landscaping.
Other options
Aside from using timber to build a deck, you could use pavers or natural stone, which require a different method. You would need to dig out more topsoil and build a concrete base before you lay the stone pavers, which is a big project that requires a lot of manpower.
Online research
There are free resources online to help someone who wishes to build a deck and has zero experience; YouTube, for example, hosts many ‘how to build a deck’ videos that clearly show the process step by step. You could actually build a house with no prior building experience by following an online video tutorial.
We hope this article helps you to create the perfect deck for you and your family to enjoy.
