9 Simples Ways To make Your Deck More Functional

Summer is quickly approaching here in Australia and that means longer days, warmer weather and sunny evenings and weekends spent soaking up the rays outside on your deck making memories with your friends and family. As these days are fast approaching, now is the time to ensure you are making the most out of your deck and outdoor living space.

In this article, we share our top tips for getting the most out of your deck.

Squarepegs Handyman’s Top Tips For Making Your Deck More Functional

Refurbish and Restore Your Deck

Over the years, your deck has been there for your through thick and thin. It has hosted countless backyard barbecues and been the spot where you lounge and watch your skin turn a darker shade as you soak up the sun’s rays. 

After all that your deck has been through with you, don’t you think it’s time you treat your good buddy to a spa day? Pressure washing and oiling your deck, or if it’s more weathered than that, sanding and re-staining your deck is a great way to ensure it looks good and is prepared for the summer months ahead.

Make Deck Umbrellas Portable

A deck umbrella is a great way to add some shade to your outdoor living space. The problem is, most deck umbrellas are large, unwieldy and, for the better part of most summer days, in the exact wrong spot.

Mounting several galvanised plumbing pipe straps to decking posts at various spots on your deck suddenly gives you options for mourning your umbrella and the ability to move it to create shade as needed.

Be sure to choose a strap that is slightly wider than your deck umbrellas diameter.

Swap Out Your Deck’s Timber Railing for Aluminium Balustrades

A timber deck rail, while timeless and classic, can date your deck and change the entire aesthetic of your outdoor living space.

Replacing timber rails with aluminium balustrading and glass panels, or stainless steel cables is a great way to create a modern and edgy aesthetic.

Add Lighting to Your Deck

Lighting is a great way to improve the aesthetic of your deck and outdoor living space. It is also a great way to lengthen the amount of time you can enjoy your deck by making it possible to keep going late into the night.

Adding stair lighting to your deck is a particularly clever and cost effective way to improve the appearance of your deck. Deck stair lighting also adds safety to your deck.

Consider a Pergola for Your Deck

How incredible is it to sit outside and watch a powerful Australian storm roll in? Adding a pergola to your deck makes this experience all the more pleasant as it allows you to keep dry while enjoying the rolling clouds and clapping thunder.

Repel Bugs From Your Deck

With all the wet weather we have been having here in the Hunter, we are almost guaranteed to experience a plague of mozzies when the warmer weather hits. A plethora of mozzie bites is a sure fire way to put an end to barbecue festivities.

Fortunately, there are a number of products available to help keep mozzies away from your deck. The easiest and most attractive option is easily citronella candles. Strategically placing them around your deck creates a barrier and a mozzie-free radius.

Add Heating to Your Deck

While summer is just around the corner, spring has sprung. While spring days can be warm and sunny, spring evenings have the propensity to have a bit of chill to them. 

To keep the spring evening chill at bay, keep some outdoor blankets on hand for you and your family and friends to curl up under.

For those die-hard deck lovers who want to enjoy their deck long into the night, or in the Autumn and Winter months, consider more extreme heating measures including gas or panel heaters, or even an outdoor fire pit.

Enclose Your Deck

Want to take your all-weather deck to the next level? Consider fully enclosing your deck.

There are a number of materials you can use to enclose your deck. Fly screens, for example, are a great option to keep bugs, mozzies and snakes away.

Add Well Placed Potted Foliage to Your Deck

Plants, bushes and flowers don’t have to be exclusively for your yard. Adding potted plants to different spots on your deck is a great way to beautify your outdoor living space.

When adding potted plants to your deck, be sure to protect your beautiful deck by using plant stands or trolleys. Plant stands will keep moisture and dirt from damaging or staining your decking boards.

SQUAREPEGS HANDYMAN DOES Deck Builds and Refurbishment

With Summer around the corner, now is the time to think about building, refurbishing, or renovating a deck. We are currently taking on new clients and would absolutely love having the opportunity to meet you and provide a quote for your deck, whether your project is large or small.

Contact us here to organise a free, in person estimate with Handyman Sean.

WHERE WE WORK

You’ll find Squarepegs Handyman in and around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, the Hunter and beyond. Contact us to find out if we service your area. 

We cannot wait to work with you!

More from Squarepegs Handyman