Kiwis love a back deck, it’s in our cultural makeup.  But what are the top decking trends for 2018?  We’ve rounded up our top finds for you!

Extending out your living space to ‘bring the outside in’ is second nature to Kiwis.  We love to combine the best of both worlds through creating a usable environment that connects us to the outdoors i.e. the back deck.  No longer just a 3 x 3 off the laundry door, our patios have developed into major structures to hold beautiful furniture, outdoor entertainment, BBQ’s and even bespoke outdoor kitchens.  In the same breath, decking companies are developing more softwood, hardwood and composite materials to provide strength and durability like never before.  So, what are the deck trends for 2018 and beyond?  We’ve rounded up some of our top finds for you below…

Curves are In

Forget the sharp, square edges; curved decking is fast gaining popularity in the decking world; achieved through heating a PVC decking board which allows the material to be manipulated into any shape.

All Season Decking

Because Kiwis love their outdoor living and see the back deck as a place to dine or lounge all year round, be mindful of what decking material you use.  Predominantly uncovered and exposed, the classic wooden deck gets a fair hammering, battling against moisture the burning sun so can require a fair amount of upkeep.  Futurewood Composite Decking, available from Industrial Plastic Shapes, can provide you with a bunch of benefits that result in a longer lasting composite product, though might seem a bit pricier in the short term.

Virtual Deck Design

Virtual deck design is now a reality with many companies allowing homeowners to consider their newly proposed deck from all angles and elevations before committing to the investment.  This is a huge advantage for the homeowner as it allows you to fully realise and tweak your deck design dreams before building begins, as well as for the contractor who’s able to ensure their client is 100 per cent on board with the design and cost before installation starts.

In the Gray

Decks that are only in standard brown or wood finished options are a thing of the past.  Manufacturers continue to release paints and stains that are incredibly long lasting and well-wearing, allowing for more personality and colour on your deck.  An on-trend colour for this coming summer is grey due to its uncanny ability to tone in perfectly with many house exterior colours.

For more decking inspiration; head along to New Zealand largest home and renovation exhibition and speak to the deck experts at the Auckland Home Show on September 6-10 at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane.  Tickets available now at  www.aucklandhomeshow.co.nz