Renovating parts of your home can be a challenging, yet ultimately rewarding part of owning a property. What starts as an idea, progresses to an internet search, and then the finished product can soon have you looking at what to take on next.

For many, the question lies in the value. Will another project cost you more than the others? Will you get many benefits from your investment? And perhaps more importantly, will it increase the value of my home?

In many cases, renovations do increase property value, especially when done well. Stats on refurbishments to kitchens and bathrooms show that they can see the value of a house rise by as much as 10%.

When it comes to decking, there is not quite as much data, partially due to everybody having a kitchen and not as many people having a deck. It is safe to say, however, that you will see an increase in the value of your home if you install a deck. Some industry experts have said that the installation of a deck could see the increased value match that a new kitchen brings.

Why does a composite deck add value to your home?

Renovations to a home not only give you a great new feature to enjoy but they also stand to give your home a new and refreshed look. It’s this look, as well as the features it provides that can help drive the value of property up. In fact, in many cases, anything that can create more outside space is almost certain to help see the house price increase. It isn’t just the space and the new look that help drive the value. Competitiveness is key in house sales and when a new deck is added, the wow factor can be the difference between actual offers or just enquiries.

For some people, moving from a house without a garden, or without a patio to one that has is a huge incentive to put an offer in. Being able to offer the family something that may not have been possible before is often a key factor in the decision-making process of buying a house.

Some renovations though can hinder the value of your home, a poorly remodeled deck with cracked, warping and rotten wood will certainly not draw the same interest as one that is installed correctly and made of better-quality materials.

This begs the question though of what deck would be best to see the increase in house value?

What type of deck best improves house value?

If you are considering installing a deck and hope to see it deliver a good return on investment when it comes to selling your house, you can’t go wrong opting for composite decking.

The reasons vary and the main one is perhaps the longevity you get from it. Even though you can treat a wooden deck to increase its life span, with wood being a natural material, it is prone to the elements. Composite decking on the other hand is not.

In addition, composite decking will not warp, rot or splinter making it safe for the whole family, including your pets.

The way it is maintained also makes it a much more appealing asset for your home.  Where wood may need frequent treating or more thorough cleaning, a composite deck can be swept and mopped quickly and easily. This is where another attribute of a composite deck stands up well against wood. Over time the wood can discolour which, when it comes to selling your house may hold people back from putting in an offer. It can look older than it is and with a deck having an expected life of anything from 10-15 years (perhaps more) a wooden deck that is in fact only 5 years old can appeared aged and make potential buyers start thinking whether they need to consider installing a new one. With composite, it remains consistent. Many manufacturers of composite decking mention how their decks can last up to 25 years in stunning condition.

How else can decking affect my house value?

We have touched upon the positives that adding a deck can bring with regard to the value of your house and it is almost a certainty that it will see the value of your house increase. There are still a few things to consider, however.

• Look at how long you think you may live in the property. If you are planning to live there for a long time before a sale then of the deck options available, composite would be the only viable option. With it being able to last for 25years+, it will still look great many years down the line. If you are planning to live there for a short time, wood may be better, however, it will likely not have the same visual appeal.
• Think about the furniture. If you can decorate it appropriately and showcase what the deck has to offer, it stands to reason people will be more interested. Compliment it with flowers and plants too for extra impact.
• Factor in your location. If your property has a very small garden, a deck may compromise the green space. It is then down to you to weigh up what you think may be more beneficial to buyers. Additionally, be weather savvy. In the UK we get a lot of rain, a wooden deck isn’t best suited to that type of weather. Where the weather is exceptionally hot, a PVC deck will not be the best option. A summer’s day walking on hot plastic isn’t good for anyone!

If you are thinking about a deck for your garden, consider millboard composite decking to get the best increase in sales value for your house. We install them throughout the year and work on both commercial and residential decking projects. With its long-lasting properties and total versatility, it’s the option you need to add the WOW to your garden! Contact us today to find out more.