Making the Most of our Outside Space!

Posted by Clive Emson Auctioneers on 19th February 2022 -

Some of you may remember a previous blog titled ‘Building an Extension with the use of Permitted Development’ which was released on the Clive Emson blog page in April last year. I hope this may have encouraged some of you to consider utilising this for your own home or property. The additional space has proven fantastic for my family and we struggle to see how we managed without it.

With the success of our extension the next project for my husband and I was to transform our outdoor space by creating a decking area leading from our extension. Our aim was to complement our garden and create a pleasant seating area for alfresco eating whilst providing easy and effective access from our garden to the rear of the property.

We considered many options including timber decking and a brick and block patio terrace but considered these approaches to be either too much work or hazardous (we all know timber decking can be like an ice rink when wet). We eventually decided that composite decking was the best option for what we were looking to achieve.

Here are some of the reasons why we chose composite decking over alternative options.

• It’s made of durable and long-lasting materials which are more resistant to rot, damp or insects.
• The product can be more environmentally friendly with many being sourced from FSC certified wood and recycled plastic which would otherwise end up in landfill sites.
• It’s a low maintenance product with virtually no upkeep costs.
• A large choice of colours and design.
• Easier to clean, requiring only the occasional power wash to remove surface debris.

One of the most important aspects of the project was choosing the most suitable form of composite decking and sourcing the materials from a responsible company who have a strong reputation in the sector. We looked at reviews of composite products, colour samples and finishes for the decking boards from a range of companies and eventually decided to use a local firm who are based in the South West and have been selling composite decking for a long time. We decided to use them due to the excellent range of products they offered and the many positive online reviews from previous customers. They also prided themselves on offering sustainable products to reduce their impact on the environment which was very important to us.

We ordered materials and these were delivered to us in a speedy and efficient manner. We began by constructing the framework which is attached to the rear wall of our property. We then began laying the decking boards using the fasteners and spacers which were supplied to us. It was then just a case of adding the finishing touches to create a contemporary and welcoming space. In our case this involved adding edging and wall cladding to the front elevation.

It’s important to build the decking to the correct specification to ensure safety but we found the whole project to be straight forward and hassle free. In our case the result has helped to create a modern and inviting feel to our garden whilst not spending an arm and a leg. I would certainly recommend composite decking to anyone looking to enhance their garden space. Now all that’s needed are the glass balustrades to finish the look which can wait till the spring!

Audrey Smith

Senior Auction Appraiser