Southampton & Surrounding Areas

Level 3 Horticulture Qualified

RHS Wisley

Trained

Deck Design

A deck is often the right answer to a level change a patio cannot easily solve, but only if the design accounts for the position, the levels involved, and the material's suitability for sun and shade. Deck design from Edens Edge landscaping works through these decisions for your specific Southampton garden before any construction begins.

Right Tool for Level Changes a Patio Cannot Solve

Material Matched to Sun and Shade

Worked Out Before Construction Begins

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A deck can be the most practical solution for a garden with a significant level change, where building a patio would mean a costly amount of retaining structure and excavation just to create a flat surface. But decking is also the option many Southampton homeowners are wary of, having seen or heard about timber decks that became slippery and covered in algae within a couple of years in a damp, shaded position. Deck design from Edens Edge landscaping works through these considerations before construction starts, so the deck that gets built is positioned, sized and built from the right material for your specific garden.

Is Deck Design What You Need?

When Deck design Matters in Southampton

The first situation is a garden with a significant level change between the house and the rest of the garden, where building a patio at the upper level would require substantial retaining structures and excavation to create a usable flat area. A deck can span this kind of level change with far less groundwork than a patio would need, making it the more practical and often more cost effective option. Deck design works out whether this is the case for your garden and how a deck would be positioned relative to the level change.

The second situation is a household replacing an existing deck or patio that has reached the end of its life, and wants to think through whether the original choice was the right one or whether something different would suit the garden better now. Many properties have existing decks installed some years ago that are now due for replacement, and this is often a good point to reconsider position, size and material rather than simply replacing what was there before with the same thing.

The third situation is a garden where the position being considered for a deck gets significant shade for much of the day, from trees, fencing, or the house itself. This matters for the design because shaded decking in Southampton's damp climate is more prone to becoming slippery and developing algae than decking in a sunnier spot, and the material choice and any design features such as gaps for drainage and airflow beneath the deck become more important in this kind of position. Deck design accounts for this from the start, rather than the household discovering the problem after the deck is built.

How Our Deck design Service Works

Deck design starts with assessing the site, the level change involved, the position relative to the house and the rest of the garden, and how much sun or shade the area gets through the day and through the seasons. In Southampton's climate, with significant rainfall spread through the year, a position that stays shaded for much of the day needs more consideration than one that gets regular sun, both in terms of material choice and how the deck is built to allow air movement and drainage beneath the boards.

Size and layout are worked through based on how the deck will be used, whether that is for outdoor seating and dining, as a connecting space between the house and a lower part of the garden, or both. The relationship between the deck and what is around it, steps down to a lawn, access to a path, proximity to doors, all factor into the layout.

Material selection follows from the position and the household's priorities. Timber decking has a traditional look but needs ongoing maintenance to stay safe and presentable, particularly in shaded positions. Composite decking needs far less maintenance and performs better in damp or shaded conditions, but has a different look and cost. Edens Edge landscaping advises on which material suits the specific position and what the household wants from the deck.

The substructure and foundation requirements are considered as part of the design, since these determine what is achievable for the size and height of deck being considered, and what the ground conditions at the site allow. Edens Edge landscaping holds Level 3 construction qualifications and where Edens Edge landscaping also delivers the build, the design is produced with the practical realities of construction in mind from the outset.

FAQ's

Frequent Asked Questions

Common questions about Deck design from Edens Edge landscaping, covering Southampton and surrounding areas.

When is a deck a better choice than a patio?

A deck is often the better choice where there is a significant level change between the house and the garden, since spanning that change with a deck typically needs far less groundwork and retaining structure than levelling the ground for a patio at the same height. Deck design assesses whether this applies to your garden and works out how a deck would be positioned relative to the level change.

I am worried about my deck becoming slippery and covered in algae. Can this be designed for?

Yes, and this is one of the most important considerations in Deck design for a shaded position. Shaded decking in Southampton's damp climate is more prone to slippery surface growth than decking in a sunnier spot. Material choice makes a significant difference, with composite decking performing better in damp or shaded conditions than timber, and the design can also include gaps and detailing that allow better airflow and drainage beneath the boards. Edens Edge landscaping accounts for the sun and shade conditions of your specific garden as part of the design.

Can you design a deck to replace an existing one?

Yes. Where an existing deck or patio has reached the end of its life, Deck design can be used to reconsider the position, size and material rather than simply replacing what was there with the same thing. This is often a good opportunity to address anything that did not work well about the original, whether that was a shaded position causing slippery surfaces, or a layout that did not suit how the garden is used.

Do you build the decks you design?

Yes. Edens Edge landscaping holds Level 3 construction qualifications and delivers the build for decks designed as part of Deck design. This means the substructure, foundation and material decisions made at the design stage are carried through to construction by the same team that made those decisions.

Are you insured and do you have a cancellation policy?

Edens Edge landscaping holds £5m public liability insurance. If you need to cancel a booked visit or project, the cancellation policy allows a full refund with three days notice. For any questions about bookings or to discuss Deck design for your Southampton property, call 07850412717 directly.