How To Plan A Successful Composite Decking Project

Spring has definitely sprung, making now the perfect time to start looking ahead to a summer of outdoor entertaining and BBQs.

Problem is, if you’re guilty of putting garden improvements at the bottom of the ‘to do’ list each year – or of letting summer get into full swing before you’ve made a start – chances are, the thought of being outside isn’t actually that appealing.

Don’t miss out!

Done right, composite decking can transform the look and feel of any outside space – and fast!

Fancy overhauling your garden in time for summer? Make 2023 the year it happens and read on to discover how to plan a successful decking project with the composite decking experts from Modern Garden.

6 steps to composite decking

1. Plan your design

Where’s your decking going? What do you want it for? Who will be using it? These are all key questions you should ask yourself before getting started.

Sit down and draw out where you want the decking. This will force you to think about other factors – the wheelie bins storage you don’t want to sit next to, the position of trees and plant borders, where the kids will play or where will get the most sunlight.

Putting pen to paper (no matter how roughly done) will help you to visualise things and contemplate what it is you want most from your composite decking.

2.    Prepare

Never installed decking before? Well, the good news is, it’s easy!

Composite decking is lightweight and super easy to lift and manoeuvre into position.

That said, it’s still a good idea to watch videos and gen up on the best approach. You’ll find a wealth of informative videos and handy tips available online. And you can always ask the team here or take a look at our installation guide too.

If you don’t plan on fitting the decking yourself, then the sooner you start investigating professional fitters the better, as tradespeople tend to get booked up quickly during the summer months. Do your research, ask around for recommendations, and get your job booked in to avoid disappointment.   

3.    Set time aside

If you’re planning to fit decking yourself, plan the timing carefully – and be strict with yourself about sticking to these dates.

Fail to put time aside and dedicate a sensible about of time to the project, and the summer will run away with you. Or, worse still, you’ll start and never get around to finishing, leaving you with half-done decking over the summer.

4.    Have a clear out

Before you start, it’s worth having a good clear-out. Chances are your garden is still littered with winter debris. Leaves, fallen twigs and branches – maybe even last year’s Christmas tree?! –  garden furniture that’s been hanging about outside since summer, abandoned kids’ toys, the list goes on.  

Create plenty of space to work and clear the area of any unnecessary or unneeded items. The more room you have to play with the better, and easier, it will be to get on with the task at hand.

5.    Pick a colour theme

Already decided on the colour of your composite decking? Great, but if you haven’t thought about it yet, now is the time to make those decisions to prevent wasting valuable time later on.

True wood shades can look great and will work well if you’re going for a more natural look. Black composite decking can make an impressive statement, whilst softer grey shades offer an attractive contemporary feel.

Before making your choice, it can be useful to think about other nearby features – the garden shed, fencing or house colour. Do you want your decking area to match in and complement the look or would you prefer to create a contrast? One of the most popular colours is brown composite decking boards.

There’s nothing stopping you from combining colours either. If you’re planning a big decking project, then breaking the space up using different colours or shades can be an effective way to mark out zones – a cooking area, a relaxed seating spot, or somewhere to eat etc.

6.    Order your decking

Be sure to only order decking from a reliable supplier (like us!) who will not only guarantee the quality of your composite boards but also ensure fast and efficient delivery. Meaning your project won’t encounter any frustrating and unnecessary delays.

To place an order, you’ll need to know the dimensions of your proposed decking space. To do this, find your favourite and then use our handy composite decking calculator to work out how many boards you will need. 

If your design is detailed – rather than a standard rectangular or square shape – keep in mind that using boards in varying lengths can help to avoid unnecessary waste and reduce the amount of cutting or joins you need. 

Job done

The good news is, with composite decking, once it’s down – you’re done! No need to treat or paint the surface. Just grab yourself a deck chair, sit back and enjoy your hard work.  

So why wait a moment longer? Start planning your composite decking project now. Order composite decking boards from the team here at Modern Garden and get ready to enjoy your outside space this summer…and the next…and the next…