Views and sun
Many country gardens have a view across fields or to the hills. We stand in the garden at different times and work out where the deck should go: near the house, at the end of the garden or somewhere in between.
Soft ground
Rural soils can be soft and wet in winter. We dig footings to firm ground and keep timber clear of the soil.
Materials that suit
Larch and oak suit stone cottages and barns; composite suits family homes and holiday lets.
Wildlife
Leave gaps in skirting for hedgehogs, avoid sealing the ground under the deck with concrete and plant around the edges.
Dark skies
Low, warm, downward lighting keeps steps safe while protecting the night sky.
Planning
Decks more than 30cm above the ground usually need planning permission. Osmotherley and nearby villages are in the North York Moors National Park, and some homes are listed or in conservation areas. We'll advise.
Where to put it
In town gardens the deck usually goes by the back door. In the country, the best spot is often further out: a corner that gets the last of the sun, or the end of the garden where the hedge drops and the view opens up. A path of stepping stones or a mown strip can lead out to it.
Farmhouses and barns
Barn conversions often have big glazed openings onto a yard or paddock. A wide, low deck along the glazing can bring the inside out, and it's usually best kept close to floor level so you step straight out. Farmhouses may have room for a deck plus a separate seating spot further out.
Shelter
Open country can be breezy. Planting, a timber screen on the windward side or the shelter of an outbuilding can make a deck far more comfortable on cooler evenings.
Questions people ask
Are there special rules in the National Park?
Planning in the National Park can be stricter. We'll help you check before building.
Can a deck help wildlife?
Yes, with hedgehog gaps, wildlife-friendly planting and gentle lighting.