Daffodils are bursting onto the scene, the evenings are getting lighter, and we’ve glimpsed sunshine on our faces. Spring is coming, and it’s enough to have you dreaming of the summer and long, lazy afternoons in the garden…

…or hosting a BBQ on your new deck.

That’s right – there’s still time to turn your space into the place for the summer with a stunning decked area. Below, we talk you through what makes spring the ideal time to upgrade your garden with a new deck or retrofit an existing one.

Quiet mornings in the sunshine. The splash of a paddling pool on hot afternoons. A spot to take a break from gardening, cool drink in hand. Casual pizza nights with friends, just because. Whatever the summer looks like for you, a decked space gives you freedom and flexibility to make the most of moments outside.

Like a kitchen is the heart of the home, a deck is the hub of the garden. Planning, designing, and having it fitted in the spring means it’ll be ready for every occasion under the summer sun.

While it wouldn’t be spring without some showers, one of the biggest draws of composite decking is how resistant it is to the elements. Even in winter when temperatures are freezing, composite boards aren’t affected. They hold their own against rain, ice, and snow, so you can feel confident that your decking will look as good as new by the time summer arrives.

A dormant garden is ideal for a composite decking installation. It’s likely that areas will need to be dug out or levelled off to make space for your new decking area, which usually means your garden will be home to wheelbarrows or mini diggers – and plenty of activity.

“Opting for a spring install helps to minimise damage from people and machinery to your grass, shrubs, and plants, and gives them plenty of time to recover so they can thrive later in the season.”

Chris Cunningham, Head of Outdoor Living Design

The summer is one of the most popular times of year to have decking installed. It works well with school holidays and days at home, but it also means you’re limited to how much of your garden you can use during the peak months. With installer diaries booked up, you could be waiting longer to step foot on your new deck, too. 

On the other hand, spring is a less popular time of year for decking fitting – but that doesn’t mean it’s any less suitable. Installers are freer, so you’re more likely to get your decking fitted on days and times that suit you. Plus, it’ll be ready before the weather really improves, so you can get an extra few months outside. Bliss!

For more information about composite decking installation, head to: How it works.

Having your composite deck fitted in the spring means you’ve got plenty of time to find the furniture and accessories to complete the space – and make it your own.

Wipe-clean chairs and tables are ideal for families with young children. Store toys and games in an outdoor basket, add a shade sail or parasol, and prep the paddling pool for a summer of fun.

Rattan’s a firm favourite among our team. It’s cosy yet contemporary and it’ll never go out of style. A lounge set surrounded by planters and lanterns is the ideal spot to read the paper, enjoy a cuppa with friends, or simply take five at the end of the week.

Born entertainer? Mimic a festival at home with an outdoor bar, fire pit, and plenty of string lights around your deck, fence, or pergola. Drape throws over chairs to keep friends and family warm well into the evening, and watch your garden turn into the go-to spot in the summer.

The British weather is known for being unpredictable, but composite decking can be built at any time, in any weather. It doesn’t matter if it’s a drizzly day – the boards are water-resistant and don’t need to be sealed (unlike timber), making them ideal for installation all year round.

At Vale & Eden, we design and make all of our boards in-house, here in the UK. For peace of mind that your deck will spring into shape and stay that way for years to come, all boards are:

• Rot and split resistant, even when the temperature drops
• Not impacted by excess moisture, so they don’t expand in the wet (unlike timber boards)
• Easy to maintain, thanks to a robust finish which doesn’t need varnishing or painting to cope with the changing seasons

Spend summer exactly where you want to be: outdoors. Though it feels far away, we’ll be saying ‘hello’ to longer, brighter days again before we know it. Prep your garden this spring so you can make the most of every sun-soaked moment.

Simply get in touch to get started.