Maximise your outdoor space with courtyard decking

A courtyard deck can be an undiscovered treasure that creates such an awesome outdoor living space. Some outdoor spaces go to waste because they seem too small to be useful, but there is a brilliant way to enjoy their potential with a little decking addition.

Courtyards are areas enclosed by buildings or walls, either in part or all around. These surrounding structures can often support the bearers without having to install posts, but they need to be part of your design so that they enhance, rather than detract, from the final result. This could mean cladding and/or painting and some other nifty ideas.

From overall design to details

Start by planning the complete design. Check out the other decking articles in this blog for some inspiration.

Once you have a plan drawn up and have calculated the costs, you can use them in case your project calls for a permit.

* Plan ahead if any plumbing has to be installed or relocated, and deal with it before you do the decking. This could be for something like a water feature.

* Prepare any garden beds that are part of the overall design so that if you want to place the decking around them, the planting is already done. These can be complemented with potted plants.

* Colour treatments offer a lot of possibilities. The decking itself can be stained, painted or sealed with a transparent finish if you prefer to let the natural grain and colour of a local hardwood show through. The colours of accessories such as pots or water features also bring an area to life. You can get creative with brick or other walls around the courtyard. A simple clean can bring out any natural beauty of the brick, but you can also render or paint them or just camouflage them with panels of plywood, woven bamboo, reeds or other materials.

Decking materials

Timber to support your courtyard deck is first on the materials list. Treated pine is good for posts, joists, and bearers. You may have decided on a particular timber, such as hardwood, for the final decking surface, but composite decking is another attractive, low-maintenance option.

Natural timber decking will require treatment with a finishing product such as deck sealant. Do some research on the best products for your project; your local hardware or paint supplier can tell you what you need to know. Do read the instructions carefully and follow them closely. Doing the finishing work properly means it will last longer and look better than if you rush into it and make mistakes. Be sure you apply enough coats and give it plenty of time to dry and harden.

Since most courtyard decking projects are pretty small, they can be a great DIY job for you. However, hiring a decking specialist to build your courtyard deck is a great way to ensure that you’ll get a safely built, good-looking deck.