Deck Builders Isle of Capri

Residential and commercial decking around Isle of Capri

Alongside home decks, we take on decking for managed and commercial properties: outdoor customer areas for cafes and retail, office break-out decks, body corporate common areas, and replacement decks on investment properties for landlords and property managers. Commercial work can be timber or composite, and is scoped and quoted the same way: measure, assess what is there, then a fixed written price.

Start with where the deck can go

Before we draw anything on a canal block, we look at where the deck is meant to finish. Building close to a revetment wall can involve setback rules and sometimes approvals, and a structure that loads the top of the wall can cause problems with the wall itself. A deck that stops short of the wall, or that is designed not to bear on it, is usually simpler to approve and safer for the wall.

We do not build pontoons or jetties. Our work stops at the house side of the revetment.

Decks around a pool

If the deck runs up to a pool, the boards need to be comfortable to walk on in bare feet, cope with splashing and chlorine or salt water, and not get slippery. Hardwood with a slight texture works well. So does composite, though dark colours get hot. We also think about how the deck meets the pool coping, whether a gap is needed for the pool shell to move, and where the fence posts land.

Pool fencing has its own rules. Anything that could be used to climb the barrier, including a raised deck edge or steps, must stay outside the non-climbable zone. We set out the deck with the fence in mind rather than leaving the fencer to fix it later. See the pool decking page for more detail.

Keeping the frame dry

Low decks near water are where frames rot first. Without airflow, moisture sits under the boards and the joists never dry out. Our approach on waterfront jobs:

• Keep the frame high enough off the ground for some air to move underneath.
• Leave proper gaps between boards rather than butting them tight.
• Use H4 or H5 treated pine, or hardwood, in contact with or close to the ground.
• Seal the cut ends of treated timber so the treatment carries through.
• Use stainless fixings and coastal-grade hardware.

Choosing the boards

On a canal block you will usually be looking at hardwood or composite. Treated pine boards can work for a budget job but tend to move and split more in exposed spots. Hardwood looks warm and natural, and needs oiling to keep its colour. Composite from Ekodeck or Ezy Decking needs a wash rather than oil. If you are not sure, we can bring samples so you can see them in your own light.

How a waterfront deck job runs

1. Site visit to measure, look at the levels and note where the deck meets the house, pool and canal side.
2. We check setbacks and whether approvals are likely to be needed.
3. A written quote with the frame design, board choice and fixings listed.
4. Footings and frame, then boards, edges and any stairs.
5. A final walk-through with you and cleaning advice for the board you chose.

Cost

As a general guide, timber decking runs roughly $350 to $550 per m² and composite $450 to $700 per m² supplied and installed, depending on height, access, framing and finishes. Pool-edge detailing, raised sections and balustrades add to that. You can supply your own boards and have us install only, if you prefer.