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DIYing your own decking? Whether using traditional timber deck boards or composite decking, here's everything you need to know to do it yourself. Remember, the foundations are what matters - get that right and you'll have a deck built to last.
Decking ServicesIf you’ve found yourself Googling “how do I build decking”, you’re not alone. Decking is one of the most popular home improvement projects in the UK, and also one of the most commonly underestimated.
Most DIY guides make it look deceptively simple: a few tools, some timber, and a free weekend. What they often don’t tell you is that a deck’s success isn’t decided by how it looks on day one, but by what’s happening underneath. It's the foundations, the frame, and the spacing that keeps everything solid for years.
This guide walks you through the real process of building decking, from planning and ground preparation to joist spacing and laying boards. Along the way, we’ll highlight the common pitfalls we see when things go wrong (and where bringing in a professional can save time, money, and stress).
Before you touch a single board, planning matters more than anything else.
Start by asking:
This is also the stage where many homeowners realise decking isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade, it’s a structural installation. If you’re already weighing up whether this is a DIY job or something better handled by specialists, this is a natural point to explore a professional decking service.
Decking can be installed on soil, grass, or concrete, but every surface needs proper preparation.
Key considerations:
Poor ground prep is one of the biggest reasons decks start to sink, twist, or feel spongy over time.
This is one of the most common questions we hear: can you lay decking on concrete?
The short answer: yes, but not directly.
Decking should never be fixed straight onto concrete. Instead:
Where DIY projects often go wrong is ignoring water runoff and ventilation. Concrete bases can hold moisture, and without the correct build-up, timber deteriorates far faster than expected.
Foundations are where long-lasting decks are made, or where failures begin.
Common foundation methods include:
The right choice depends on height, load, and ground conditions. Too shallow, and the deck moves. Too few supports, and the frame flexes. These issues often don’t show up immediately, but they will.
This is also why commercial installations demand a higher standard. Large-scale projects, like hospitality decking, require precision planning and structural knowledge.
The frame is the skeleton of your deck. If it’s not square, level, and properly fixed, nothing else will be.
A professional-grade decking frame:
This is where experience makes a huge difference. Small miscalculations here lead to uneven boards, visible gaps, and long-term movement.
This question deserves its own section, because joist spacing is critical.
As a general rule:
Incorrect spacing causes:
Professional deck installers don’t guess this, spacing is calculated based on material type, load, and layout.
Once the structure is right, laying the boards becomes far more straightforward. But still easy to get wrong.
Key points include:
Rushing this stage often leads to warped boards, uneven lines, and fixings working loose over time.
After installing and repairing countless decks, the same issues come up again and again:
These are the same kinds of problems we also see in other “weekend projects” — from unstable flat-pack furniture to shelving that pulls out of walls.
The pattern is the same: it looks simple, until it isn’t.
Hiring an expert isn’t about avoiding effort. It’s about getting the outcome you actually want.
A professional decking installation delivers:
And once your decking is installed, keeping it looking its best matters too. Ongoing care and regular decking maintenance protects your investment and extends its lifespan.
DIY projects can take several weekends. Professional installations are often completed in a few days.
Most ground-level decking doesn’t, but raised or large decks may require approval.
Pressure-treated softwood is common, while hardwood and composite offer greater longevity.
With correct installation and maintenance, decking can last 15–25 years or more.
Yes, but it requires proper foundations and levelling.
Find out more in our ultimate decking Q&A.
Decking can completely transform a space, but only when it’s built properly. While DIY guides often focus on the visible finish, the real difference lies in the structure beneath your feet.
If you want a deck that’s solid, safe, and built to last, getting expert help early on can make all the difference. Whether you’re planning a small garden upgrade or a large commercial installation, professional input saves costly mistakes down the line.
If you’re considering decking and want advice tailored to your space, getting a professional assessment is a smart place to start.