Gardening: Lie back and enjoy the outdoors

Before building a deck be sure the chosen spot has sunshine, shade and a view and is sheltered enough to catch breezes - not gales.

Decks are a great way to create that extra living space. By Carol Bucknell.

We kiwis love a good deck. They suit the design of most of our houses, are perfect for the casual barbecues we love so much and they beautifully bridge the gap between indoors and out without costing the Earth. Even better, if you're a dab hand with the skill saw you could build a deck with a few mates in a weekend.

Before you rush out to the builder's yard, though, it's worth taking the time to plan your deck properly so that it enhances the design of your house as well as provides the right amount of outdoor space for your needs. Whether it's a new deck or extending an existing one think about what you'll be using it for mostly - lounging in the sunshine, family barbecues, large parties, quiet outdoor dining, as a place for the children to play, maybe all of the above?

Some of these activities obviously require more space than others. Timber is not cheap and a smaller deck might be big enough to provide for your immediate priorities such as family barbecues, with an extension further down the track for larger gatherings as the budget allows.

Don't be too parsimonious with your deck size, though. An average outdoor table and chairs with space for people to circulate requires at least 12sq m. You'll need more room for a barbecue and your food prep area.

When space is not an issue a deck can be used for so much more than basic outdoor dining. Spa areas and seating are commonly built into decks nowadays as are herb planters and water features. Decks are also great places to sling a hammock but you'll need a strong support and a location that does not impede circulation.

Location is not always a given. Although most of us prefer to have our deck on the sunny side of the house and connected to the living spaces for easy flow between them, some opt for freestanding decks away from the house to capture views, afternoon sun or to nestle into a secluded part of the garden.

Others build decks to enlarge spaces such as the master bedroom, bathroom or garden studio.

Decks don't always have to be on one level, either. Stepping a deck down into the garden means you can still enjoy views and sun on the top level while using lower levels that are less exposed to neighbours and wind for outdoor dining and relaxing.

Multilevel decks are the ideal solution for sloping or tight sites plus they will better anchor a house visually to a steep site and reduce the amount of access steps you'll need.

Hardwood timber is generally considered the best material for decking as it has greater longevity than softer woods such as pine, but this is reflected in the cost.

Always check the source of your timber to avoid using hardwoods from threatened rainforests. There is also a number of composite decking products made from recycled wood or bamboo and plastic marketed as non-cracking or warping.

Last but not least is the groundwork, in other words checking whether the ground below the deck is stable enough for construction and that you're not building over subsoil drains and services such as electricity, gas, water, or sewer lines. Bracing and handrails might be needed depending on the deck height and the wind rating for your area.

And well before the build starts talk to your local council about any consents that might be required.