My Cart
0
You have no items in your shopping cart.
Looking to make the most of your sloped garden this summer with a timber deck for you and your loved ones to enjoy? The good news is that building a deck on sloped ground is not as challenging as you might think! While it requires a slightly different approach to building on flat ground, you can achieve the perfect outcome with the proper guidance.
At Savoy Timber, we offer a range of composite and timber decking kits and accessories, providing a handy one-stop shop for all your garden decking needs. However, if you’re new to this, it’s best to seek the help of an expert tradesperson to ensure that you get the most cost-efficient and safest possible outcome for your garden — especially if it’s a steep slope!
A sloped deck is a relatively complex project, so it’s always particularly important to make sure you take your time during the planning stage. As we touched on above, we’d generally recommend using a tradesperson if you’ve not tackled a DIY job of this size before, and even if you have, it’s always good to have a second pair of hands to help!
The general direction of your project may vary slightly depending on a few factors, like the size of your garden, how steep the slope of your garden is, how large you want your decking to be, and the kind of decking you choose to go with.
Most decking projects fall under what’s called ‘permitted development’, which means that you don’t need to get any specific planning permission in order to go ahead. However, there are instances in which you may well need planning permission – for example, if your decking project is more than 30cm above ground (which is likely to be the case if you’re building on or into a slope), or if the decking platforms cover more than 50% of the garden. We wrote an entire blog on the topic covering everything you need to know.
Railings will be non-negotiable when it comes to sloped decks; they play a crucial role in ensuring safety and stability. They can also add a nice aesthetic touch. If your decking overlooks a significant slope, it’s best to factor this into your budget and design plans when you’re gathering your materials.
Another important consideration to keep in mind when designing your outdoor space is lighting. Not only does it create a beautiful ambience, but it can also help to prevent accidents like slips and trips. As the sun starts to set, proper lighting becomes crucial to ensure everyone’s safety. You’ll want to make sure any steps, gaps, or low-to-the-ground furniture items are well-lit so everyone can see where they’re going. Enjoying a relaxing evening with friends and family on your deck is great, and with proper lighting, it can be done safely.
Lastly, it’s crucial to consider water drainage when installing your new decking. This is universal for all decking, whether it’s built on a slope or on flat ground. You’ll want your deck to sit at a slight incline—only slightly, though! It shouldn’t be enough for you to notice the tilt, but it’ll be enough to ensure that no water collects on your deck, which can be slippery in the short term and do some damage to your timber in the long term! It’s also best practice to leave slight gaps (at least a couple of mm) between your decking boards for any rain to slip through. If you live in a particularly rainy area or you’re planning to be out enjoying your decking, rain or shine, then a canopy is also a great way to keep water off the surface!
And we’ll say it one more time – remember, if you’re not 100% confident when it comes to laying your decking DIY, it’s always best to consult the help of professionals!
If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and cost-effective way to build a deck in your garden, check out our timber decking kits. Each kit comes with a complete set of step-by-step instructions and all the fixings you’ll need to do the job. What’s more, our handy decking calculator will help you work out which kit is best for your space. If one of our kits isn’t suitable for your sloped garden, we sell a variety of affordable and stylish decking boards and accessories that you can check out instead!
If you need any additional advice we’re always here to lend a helping hand! Just give us a call on 0345 0268 799 or pop into any of our DIY stores in Preston, Blackpool, Bradford and Wigan.
