5 Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Veranda Deck

A veranda deck is a composite deck material with reversible finish – one side features a combed finish and the other side features wood grain finish. A veranda deck can be used to build any kind of deck and patio or gazebo. As it is used mainly for the outdoors, a veranda deck lightens during the initial 2 to 3 months after building due to sunlight exposure. After this period, there will be no further color lightening and fading. When embarking on building a new veranda deck, avoid making the mistakes listed below.

1. Using Board Lengths That Are Too Short or a Poor Layout

Using board lengths that are too short or a poor layout of the boards can cause wastage of the deck boards. Improper planning can result in you spending more and going over your budget. It also prolongs the time that is needed to build your deck. To eliminate this problem, think carefully before embarking on this project. Start by laying the deck boards from your house outwards to the deck’s edge.

2. Under-Estimating the Board Quantity and the Time Needed for Installation

Because of poor decision making and planning, a normal deck project usually goes beyond the budget. Wastages caused by triangles, odd-shaped decks, 45-degree angle, circles, or non-squared deck shapes can increase the quantity of boards required and time involved significantly. To solve this problem, design your veranda deck in such a way that it suits the deck boards’ length. This will reduce board wastage, and thus you get an even bigger deck without additional cost. It also makes installation fast.

3. Painting the Veranda Deck

If you want to paint the veranda deck, only the top of the deck can be painted. This means that the boards' other three sides are not painted. When moisture gets into the deck, it causes the deck to swell which makes the paint crack and peel. Water seeps in after the paint cracks and causes rotting.

4. Building Decks That Are Too High

Building a veranda deck that is over 3 feet/1 meter high requires a handrail and building consent. This process is usually costly and time consuming. If you do not get the needed consent, it can pose a problem if you want to sell the house later on. However, with some careful planning, you can get around the problem of having a deck which is more than 3 feet/1 meter above the ground. You can also build planter boxes to raise the height of the ground around the veranda deck.

5. Building a Poorly Ventilated Veranda Deck

Veranda decks need ventilation. The substructure requires air flow to prevent it from rotting, swelling and rusting. Therefore, moisture exposure especially during winter has to be reduced. When building a veranda deck, allow a 12mm gap allowance from another building structure, such as retaining wall or house. This is to allow water to drain and prevent capillary action. The deck boards must not be in contact with another surface or the ground, with the substructure as an exception. If the decks is on membrane or very close to the ground, ventilation grates can be used to promote air flow.