Spring and summer are now in sight, which means one thing: it’s easier to make the most of the outdoors again.

And for many, the arrival of better weather and longer days means getting their garden back to its best so it can be enjoyed throughout the warmer months. One of the most popular ways to make the most of an outdoor space is the use of decking – which has been showing an upwards trend since the 1990s and continues to soar in demand among homeowners and property developers alike.

As we enter decking season, Jonathan Cooper, Trex business manager at Arbor Forest Products, explains why decking is one of best investments homeowners can make this year.

Adding value
One of the key ways that investing in decking is a great choice for homeowners is that, quite simply, it adds value to the property.

And it’s not just a small return that can be made on a decking investment: research by the Homeowners’ Alliance shows that decking can potentially add thousands onto the value of a home. Depending on the type of decking boards used and the size of the space, it can be a relatively inexpensive way to add value to a home which is one of the reasons it’s become such a popular choice for anyone looking to make an investment in their property.

Not all decking is made equal though, and investing in better quality timber or long-lasting composite decking will see a higher return – so it’s likely to be worth paying more to begin with. It’s always worth doing some research on which type of decking will work best for your project and needs, and suppliers will be able to offer advice and guidance where required.

An extended living space
The addition of decking isn’t just for those looking for a relatively quick solution for adding value to a property prior to selling: it’s also a great investment for anyone wanting to simply make the most of their outdoor space.

Despite the unpredictable weather, Brits are known as a nation of outdoor lovers – and even if it’s only for a small proportion of the year, we love to make the most of the sun. Decking provides the ideal solution for both relaxing and entertaining outside throughout the warmer months, which is one of the many reasons its popularity has continued to soar over the past three decades.

Using outdoor space as an extension of indoor living space is becoming increasingly popular, especially as we continue to adjust to spending more time at home, and decking is a great way to do this. With so many types, styles and colours now available, there’s a deck to suit every home and professional decking installers are able to provide guidance on the best fit where required.

Once installed, decking provides the perfect blank canvas for homeowners to add those finishing touches to truly make it an extension of the home. From furniture to plants, these personal touches will make a deck a worthwhile investment in making the most of the outdoors. What’s more, additions such as canopies, lighting and heaters will allow the space to be enjoyed beyond spring and summer.

And with government guidance likely to recommend socialising outside where possible for some time yet, now is the ideal time to take the plunge and invest in transforming an outdoor space with decking.

For the planet
Decking is widely regarded as an environmentally-friendly way to transform an outdoor space, with wood generally seen as one of the most sustainable materials used in garden projects.

Of course, this depends on how the decking materials have been sourced – and investing in sustainable timber products is always worthwhile. When installing a traditional wooden deck, we recommend selecting timber which has been certified by organisations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for peace of mind when it comes to responsibly purchasing decking boards.

Alternatively, composite decking can provide an eco-friendly decking solution, with some leading brands using up to 95 per cent recycled materials for decking boards. Quality composite decking also provides a long-lasting solution which means that there will be no need to use harsh wood treatment products for maintenance, and it has the added benefit of residential warranties of up to 25 years for leading brands, meaning there will be no need to replace it for many years.

If there’s enough space, adding plants and flowers can make the deck even more environmentally friendly by encouraging bees to pollinate, and a deck is also a great place to add planters for growing vegetables. Not only will these help to create an eco-friendly deck, but there’s a well-known link between nature and better mental health – so decking is not only a great financial investment, it’s also an investment in wellbeing.