Deck Builders Sovereign Islands

Residential and commercial decking around Sovereign Islands

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.

Big decks need a plan for the joins

Decking boards come in set lengths, typically up to 5.4 or 6 metres. Once a deck is longer than that, there will be joins. On a small deck, a few staggered butt joins are barely noticed. On a deck of 80 or 100 square metres, a random pattern of joins looks messy. We lay these decks out with breaker boards or set join lines, so every join falls in a straight row and the deck looks planned rather than patched.

On very long runs, we also think about expansion. Composite boards in particular need room to move with temperature. Breaking a long run into sections with a breaker board helps manage that movement.

Multiple levels

Many larger homes step down from the house to a lower terrace and then to the pool or lawn. Splitting a deck into two or three levels can follow the ground without tall posts, and it gives you natural zones for dining, lounging and the pool. Each step between levels needs a consistent height, and wide steps make the change in level easy to walk.

Hardwood on a large deck

Spotted gum and blackbutt are the most common choices. On a large deck, hardwood board selection matters, because colour can vary a lot between boards. We mix boards as we lay so the colour variation spreads evenly rather than clumping. Oiling a big hardwood deck is a real job, so if you want the colour to stay warm, plan on oiling it every year or so, or budget for someone to do it.

Composite on a large deck

On a big deck, the maintenance saving with composite is larger, which is why many owners of larger homes choose it. Ekodeck and Ezy Decking both come in widths and colours that suit large areas. Composite is heavier than timber, and needs closer joist spacing, so the frame costs more. See the composite decking page for the details.

Around the pool

Where the deck meets a pool, we look at how the boards finish against the coping, drainage from splash, and the position of the pool fence. Raised deck edges and steps must stay clear of the non-climbable zone around the barrier. More on the pool decking page.

Fascia, edges and lighting

On a large deck the edges are long and visible. Fascia boards hide the frame and should match the deck boards. Step lights or edge lights recessed into the fascia are worth considering at the design stage, because the wiring goes in before the boards. A licensed electrician does the electrical work, and we leave the access they need.

Approvals and structure

Larger decks, especially raised or roofed ones, are more likely to need building approval and engineering. We can work with a certifier and engineer and include their fees in the quote.

Supply and install, or install only

We can supply the frame, boards and fixings, or install boards you have sourced. On large jobs, ordering from one batch helps keep the colour consistent, which is one reason we usually supply.

Costs for larger decks

Larger decks often cost less per square metre than small ones, because setup and finishing are spread over more area. 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. Multiple levels, balustrades, lighting and pool detailing are priced on top. The decking cost guide has more.