All hands on deck to add value at home
DEB TAPP
When it comes to building a deck, careful planning and budgeting are vital.
That’s the word from Registered Master Builder Ivan Stanicich, who owns the Fowler Homes franchise in Christchurch and is a director of branches in Queenstown, Wanaka and Taranaki.
Having been in the building industry for almost 40 years, he’s aware of the pitfalls of building decks all too well.
Often, he says, homeowners focus too much on budget first-off, and not enough on doing their homework or seeking advice before enlisting a tradesman.
And many are tight-lipped over budgets, which Ivan says can wind up hindering the process.
“Consumers often don’t want to reveal their budgets because they think they’ll be charged more, but from a builder’s perspective, we need to know the ballpark figure.
“Most decking will range from as low as $300 a square metre to upwards of $500 a square metre for a range of reasons - not so much the materials used but more around how many steps up to the deck are required, are there seats to be built in… it’s the add-ons that can be costly.”
It’s important to think about the space needed for what homeowners want to put on their deck.
“They might want a barbecue, an outdoor table, a sun lounger… all of a sudden that deck becomes quite large.”
Therefore, Ivan suggests homeowners figure out exactly how much space their desired deck will take up, consider the add-ons like steps and built-in seats and draw it to scale.
“If you want outdoor living, get what you really, really want, so draw it out to scale, and include everything you want on that deck it’s just like a dining space in a house, think about the space.” Then do the maths, says Ivan. Whether it’s a substantial deck or a small deck, the foundations and drainage are important factors to consider - and they will bump up the costs.
But don’t take shortcuts, warns Ivan.
“Before you build anything, you must have strong footings & foundations, correctly treated timber piles, bearers and joists for starters.
“One big failure with decks that we, as Master Builders, are often called in to rectify is the lack of drainage and clearance under them.
“Nine times out of 10 it’s the way in which a deck is prepared the minimum clearance is 300mm, yet there are plenty that are only 100mm off the ground, it’s just crazy.”
The lack of clearance - and sufficient drainage - will result in a drastically reduced lifespan, says Ivan.
“Decks that should last 20 years might only last a few seasons - the timber will suck up the ground moisture, and that dampness will create mould.
“The timber will then expand, gaps will close up and the deck will hold more water causing the deck to swell and warp - it can be quite catastrophic.
“So if you don’t prepare the foundations properly in the first place and spend that bit extra, you’re likely to have to revisit and rebuild it, which will cost a lot more in the long run.”
The choice of decking timber is another important consideration and there are plenty of options.
Whichever timber is used, there are variables in thickness, from 19-25mm, but Ivan says thicker is better and fix the deck down with stainless steel screws on joists at 400mm centres.
“It’s just sturdier, especially if you’ve got lots of heavy items on your deck, and you’ve always got people on it.
Kwila is the most popular option, a reddy-brown South East Asian tropical hardwood used for extensively for decking here in New Zealand.
It is hard wearing, easy to work with, has good strength, durability and stability, though the downside is it is prone to bleed in the first few months.
Ivan describes the hardwood Heavy Hopea as a premium product, a light to medium brown colour, which is also easy to work with, has good strength, durability and stability.
Traditional New Zealand timbers such as macrocarpa and pine can also be used for decking.
Macrocarpa is described as an exotic cypress softwood, a light blonde-coloured softwood decking timber that is easy to work with, has good strength and naturally durable.
“But it’s not a taste most people like because of the knottiness of the grain,” explains Ivan.
Pine, on the other hand, is a better option, he says.
Pine is a sustainably-sourced option that is durable, low maintenance and cost-effective, but the downside is that it has a green tinge to it, which some homeowners dislike.
Composite decking, meanwhile, has the beauty of being longlasting and low maintenance in that it won’t need staining, oiling or painting like traditional timbers.
“It is a wood plastic composite, it’s all pre-sealed and doesn’t need washing down once a year like a timber deck either, it’s quite an impressive product really.”
Whatever the choice of decking, composite, timber or concrete, Ivan says it will improve the value of a home.
“I saw a deck recently that had a raised planter that doubled as a seat and a hedge around it to add greenery, it was quite simple yet very appealing.
“Any improvements you do will enhance the value of your home, but adding a deck can also transform a space.
“Kiwis love the outdoors, so it will always get plenty of use.
“Just make sure everything is done properly and don’t rush the process, you want it to last.”