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How to lay decking on grass

Wondering how to lay decking on grass? Read our 'how to' guide to find step-by-step instructions to tackle this home improvement project.

Decking can transform the appearance of your garden and, if installed correctly, will last for decades. However, you’re right to research how to lay decking on grass, as there are one or two factors to consider to help ensure a job well done.

We outline the step-by-step process of installing decking on grass to help you prepare for and complete this project with confidence.

And don’t forget, if you’d prefer to use an experienced tradesperson, just enter your postcode below to see who comes highly rated in your area.

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Laying decking on grass: preparation

Garden decking with pergola
Concept image of garden decking

Before you buy a truckload of timber, spend some time planning your decking project to make sure you’re happy with the result.

Layout and design

Think about how you want to use your decking and, hence, what layout would be best suited.

Will it be a suntrap in a sunny spot in the garden? If so, does it need to be large enough for sunloungers? It’s a good idea to provide some shade for the hottest part of the day, so make sure there’s adequate room for the type of parasol you choose. For example, Cantilever parasols require more space than the traditional type.

Do you wish to incorporate a pergola into your decking design? It’s a great way to generate some shade and support scented climbing plants. If this is in your plan, you’ll need to factor in the position of the posts during the build.

Whichever design you choose, draw a sketch to help calculate the volume of materials you need. It’ll also help you navigate the build and installation of your decking.

Location

If your decking is away from the house, do you need to lay some paving to link the spaces and create a dry walkway?

Taking note of, and ensuring easy access to, existing structures such as manhole or cesspit covers is essential.

Laying decking on grass in a low-lying area is best avoided to avoid pools of standing water.

Will you be dining alfresco?

If the plan is to use your decked area for dining, make sure it’s large enough for your outdoor table and chairs, with sufficient space to push the chairs out from the table comfortably.

Planting and decorative accessories

If you’re planning on having plants on your decking, either built-in or in pots, make sure there’s plenty of space for now and as they grow.

You should also look to see what’s above the area you’re considering for your decking installation. For example, a tree that produces sap wouldn’t be ideal for overhanging a decked area for the risk of making it slippy.

Safety and accessibility

Does your garden decking need to be accessible for those with mobility issues? If so, a sloped entryway and/or handrails could be helpful.

Related content: Find out more about accessible design for homes and gardens.

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How to lay decking on grass

For best results, we always recommend hiring a professional.

Tools and materials

  • Protective clothing, including gloves, a face mask, and safety goggles
  • Handsaw or circular saw
  • A drill
  • A shovel and tamper
  • Tape measure and spirit level
  • Builder’s line or string, pegs, and hammer
  • Pencil
  • Your chosen decking material
  • Timber for the decking frame
  • Decking screws
  • Coach screws
  • Weed membrane
  • Gravel
  • Concrete pads or risers
  • Sandpaper
  • Wood preservative and a paint brush

Tradespeople installing decking

How much decking do I need?

To work out how much decking you need, measure the width and the length of the area you want to deck (in metres). Multiply these two figures to get your decking surface in m².

Next, having chosen your decking material, look at the coverage of one decking board.

Divide your first figure (decking surface area) by the coverage of one single board. Then multiply this by 1.1 to factor in wastage.

This will tell you how many boards you’ll need to order, including a few extra for wastage.

What types of materials are best for building decking on grass?

There are several choices to consider when building a deck on grass. Some common options include:

  • Weather-resistant natural woods such as ipe (Brazilian walnut) and cedar
  • Pressure-treated lumber
  • Very hardwoods, including teak
  • Composites that are made from recycled materials, including other wood and plastic

Many suppliers will provide samples so that you can get a feel of what might be the best option.

Example of Trex decking

Step 1: Prepare the area

  • Clear away any weeds and rocks
  • Mark out the area for your decking with builder’s line and pegs
  • Using a shovel, remove the turf from the marked-out area to a depth of 50mm
  • Ensure the ground is level with a tamper and spirit level
  • Cover the soil with a weed membrane and weigh it down with gravel. Check the level again

The same steps apply if you’re looking for how to lay decking tiles on grass. Ensuring the ground is level, allowing airflow between the ground and the decking, and preventing damage from moisture, are key.

Step 2:  Building the decking frame

Having completed step one, it is possible to lay decking on grass, but it will be more susceptible to absorbing moisture. We recommend building a decking frame. Here’s how:

  • Use concrete pads or risers to ensure that the deck is not physically touching the grass. It should be at least 40mm off the ground
  • Build a square frame on top of this foundation. Ensure it’s level
  • Create joists so that the deck boards will be supported
  • Insert noggins (short pieces of timber) between the internal joists for extra stability

Some people choose to place furring strips between the joists and the boards, providing a slight angle so that water can exit the deck surface. A membrane can also be placed over the joists so that water dripping from above will be prevented from damaging the underlying wood.

Step 3: Laying the decking boards

  • Lay the deck boards perpendicular to the joists
  • If adding a fascia board, your first deck board will need to overhang the edge of the frame
  • Pre-drill holes with a 2mm drill bit to prevent the timber from splitting. Then countersink the holes and screws for a flush finish. Use two screws on either side of the board to secure it to the joist underneath
  • Use a spacer to ensure a consistent 5-8mm expansion gap between each board, along the full length of the board. This will prevent warping as the boards expand and contract and allow for drainage

Step 4: Finishing touches

  • If adding a fascia board, mark regular intervals of 600mm along the length of the board
  • Hold the fascia board in place using packers to keep it level
  • Pre-drill holes where you’ve marked, then secure the fascia board with decking screws
  • Use sandpaper to smooth any cut ends of decking and protect them with a wood preserver

That’s it! Time to enjoy your new decking! Remember, if you’d prefer to call in the experts, search our leading directory to find the help you need.

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Tips from the experts

Outdoor decking in a garden with seating

We asked the professionals here at Checkatrade, who shared some additional tips for homeowners looking for how to build decking on grass:

1. Keep it simple

Many homeowners want to install something with lots of additions, such as LED lights because they want to stand out from the crowd. But in reality, these can cause more problems than they’re worth.

Sometimes water can get into the LED lights meaning they stop working, or when they do stop working through age they don’t all go at once, and so you’ll have some that work and others that won’t.

This means you need an electrician to come out – not just to install them initially, but to carry out repairs. This can be costly and time-consuming. We advise customers to keep things simple.

2. Regular maintenance

It’s also vital that once you have your decking installed, you keep on top of maintenance.

Many people complain of slippery decking. It’s a build-up of algae that causes the majority of this.

To avoid this, decking should be treated with decking oil. You should also make sure to clean the decking every month or two, just by brushing it down and cleaning it with a hose. This will prevent your decking from becoming slippery and will also keep it in tip-top condition for years to come.

Related content: Price up your home improvement project with our handy garden decking cost guide.

Find a professional to install your decking

Unless you’re an experienced DIYer with a good selection of tools, laying decking can be quite complex, especially if you want a bespoke design.

Should you require some expertise to install your decking, don’t hesitate to search for approved tradespeople on Checkatrade. Compare customer reviews, view photos of previous work, and check credentials, all in one handy place.

Simply enter your postcode below to get started.

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FAQs

Can you lay decking directly on grass?

It is possible to lay decking on grass directly, but it will be susceptible to moisture damage. We recommend laying a weed membrane and positioning your decking on a frame.

Can you put decking on uneven grass?

Laying decking on uneven grass is not recommended as your structure will be unstable. You will need to level the ground first, or install posts to level the area.

How do I prevent grass growing through when building decking on grass?

You should install a Geotex weed membrane so that grass and weeds can’t grow up through the decking itself. Layer this with shingle or similar materials on top, to weigh it down.

Do you need planning permission for decking?

It’s not normally necessary to get planning permission for garden decking unless it will be more than 30cm above the ground, or if combined with other outbuildings, it covers more than 50% of your garden.

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