Deck Builders Varsity Lakes

Residential and commercial decking around Varsity Lakes

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.

Making a small yard usable

In a small courtyard, a deck can replace patchy lawn or uneven pavers with a level, clean surface you can put a table on. Running the boards the long way makes the space feel longer. Running them across makes it feel wider. A deck that finishes level with the living area floor also makes the inside feel bigger.

Neighbours and boundaries

On small lots, the deck may sit close to a boundary fence. Raised decks close to a boundary can look straight into a neighbour's yard, and there are rules about how close structures can be built to boundaries. Low decks near the ground are usually simpler. Where privacy is a concern, a slatted screen along one side can help. Screens also have height and setback rules, so we check before building.

Strata and body corporate

In a townhouse complex, the courtyard may be part of your lot or exclusive-use common property. Either way, there are usually by-laws about changes, colours and materials. Get approval before you start. We can give you a scope, product sheets and a sketch to include with your application.

Low frames over existing ground

Many courtyard decks sit only 100 to 300 mm off the ground. That leaves little room for a standard frame, and ventilation matters more the lower you go. We use low-profile timber frames with ground-rated timber, steel subframes or adjustable pedestals on pads, depending on the height. Water must drain away from under the deck, otherwise a low deck turns into a damp, smelly space.

Getting materials in

Townhouses often have no side access, so boards and frame timber come through the garage or the house. We protect floors and walls on the way through, and order boards in lengths that will fit. Tell us about access when you ask for a quote.

Boards for small spaces

Composite suits small courtyards well because there is no oiling and the colour stays even. Ekodeck and Ezy Decking are our main brands. Hardwood works too if you like timber. 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. Small decks cost more per square metre because setup and edge work are fixed costs. We also install boards you supply. See the decking cost guide.