Who doesn’t love a deck?
Over the years Impact Design and Drafting have designed numerous decks around Brisbane that differ in both form and function. I believe timber decks are able to add a touch of warmth and friendliness to a backyard which you just can’t achieve with other materials. Of course with this added warmth also comes the added maintenance. Decks should be oiled at least once a year preferably twice and maintaining a deck is critical to maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the deck.
Not all decks are created equal and not all decks need building approval from your local council. According to Building Regulations 2006 there is no need for building approval if your deck:
- does not exceed 1000mm above natural ground
- covers less then 10 square meters
- does not exceed a total of 2.4m in height
- does not exceed 5 meters along any one side;
- and it must comply with the Acceptable Solutions in the Queensland Development Code
If your deck does not comply with all of the above requirements you will need to apply to your local council for a building approval. To be approved by the local council your deck will need to meet strict guidelines on positioning, design and structural integrity. At Impact Design and Drafting we can help prepare plans suitable for local council submission and straight forward easy to read plans you can build from.
Traditional materials to be used on decks has always been timber (timber posts, bearers, joists and decking) but as technology has moved forward so has the development of building materials. Composite decking (composition of wood and plastic) is a good alternative to traditional timber. The advantages are you can get them in specific lengths (less butt joins), virtually no ongoing maintenance, strong and durable, stain resistant, easy to clean and more fire resistant then timber. The disadvantages are it lacks some of the luster of actual timber and it costs roughly 4x the price of timber.
The difference between a good deck and an awesome deck comes down to details. The type of balustrade (if required), personalised features built-in to the deck like bench seating, BBQ areas and planter boxes for a herb garden, these are all features that can give your deck that wow factor. Also, adding a roof to your deck for protection from the elements won’t just preserve the deck for longer but it now turns it into an all year round outdoor room that you can enjoy with your family and friends no matter what the weather.
When considering adding an awesome deck to your home please consider Impact Design and Drafting
