Composite Decking Bradford
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For gardens with children and dogs in them

Decking for family gardens

A family deck is the bit of the garden that gets used every day: breakfast in June, wellies in November, a paddling pool in the one hot week. It needs to be big enough, safe at the edges and easy to keep clean.

Most family decks are 15 to 25 m². In composite, that is typically £1,500 to £3,000 to £5,000 fitted.

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Before

worn, muddysmall pationowhere to sithouse

After

play areatablestep to lawnhouse
A semi-detached garden with a worn lawn. The deck runs out from the back door, wide enough for a table for six, with one long step down to the grass and a clear view of the play area.

What a family garden needs from a deck

  1. Room for the table, not just the chairs

    A table for six with chairs pulled out needs about 3.5 × 3 m. Size the deck around how you will use it, then add a metre for walking past.

  2. No splinters, no stain

    Composite boards do not splinter and never need treating, so there is no annual stain day and nothing toxic for small hands or paws.

  3. Grip when wet

    Choose boards with a textured, capped surface. They stay more sure-footed in rain than smooth timber that has gone green.

  4. Safe edges and steps

    A long, low step is safer than a short steep one. Where the deck is raised, a balustrade with gaps small enough that a child cannot squeeze through.

  5. A view of the lawn

    Put the deck where you can see the play area and the back door at the same time.

  6. Shade for summer

    Dark boards get hot in full sun. On a south-facing deck, pick a lighter colour or plan for a parasol or pergola.

What a family deck costs

Composite boards on a new frame, fitted, on fairly level ground.

Price your own size in the calculator

JobTypical price
Compact, 12 m²
About 4 × 3 m, table for four		£1,200 to £2,400
Family, 18 m²
About 6 × 3 m, table for six		£1,800 to £3,600
Large, 25 m²
About 5 × 5 m, dining and lounging		£2,500 to £5,000
Wide step down to the lawn
Per step, full width		£80 to £200 each
Low balustrade or rail
Per metre		£40 to £120 per m
Where these figures come from

Typical UK fitted prices from published price lists we reviewed, October 2026. National figures, not Bradford-specific, and some lists do not say whether VAT is included. A guide, not a quote.

Composite or timber for a family deck

Timber is cheaper to fit, and a well-built softwood deck will last ten to fifteen years. But it needs cleaning and treating every year or two, and a neglected deck splinters and turns slippery, which matters most where children are running about.

Composite costs more at the start and then mostly needs a wash with a brush and warm soapy water. Over ten years, once you count the stain and the weekends, the gap narrows a lot. Our blog post on decking steps covers the step sizes that suit small children and older relatives alike.

Things families ask for

These come up again and again, and they are all easier to build in at the start than to add later.

  • A sandpit or storage box built into the deck with a lift-up lid.
  • A gate across the top of the steps for toddlers.
  • An outdoor socket for a fan, a hot tub pump or the fairy lights, fitted by a registered electrician.
  • Hidden fixings, so there are no screw heads to stub toes on.
  • A tap close by for washing down muddy boots and boards.

Looking after it

Sweep it when you sweep the patio. Twice a year, wash it with a soft brush and warm soapy water, paying attention to the shaded side where algae starts. Barbecue fat and spilled drinks come off more easily if they are wiped up the same day. Avoid rubber-backed mats, which trap water and can mark the boards.

Planning and the neighbours

A family deck on level ground under 30 cm high does not normally need planning permission. If it is raised, or close to a shared fence where you will be looking into next door, it is worth talking to the neighbours first and checking with Bradford Council.

Questions we get asked

Is composite decking safe for children?

Yes. It does not splinter, needs no chemical stains or preservatives, and good capped boards with a textured surface keep their grip when wet. Pair it with low steps and a balustrade on raised edges.

Is composite decking good for dogs?

Capped boards resist scratches from claws far better than softwood, and they wash clean. Very dark boards can get hot in direct summer sun, so give the dog some shade.

How big should a family deck be?

For a table for six, plan on at least 18 m², about 6 × 3 m. If you also want loungers or a hot tub, 25 m² or more.

How much does a 6 × 3 m composite deck cost?

Typically £1,800 to £3,600 fitted on level ground, before steps, lights or rails.

How long does it take to fit a family deck?

Two to four days on site for most decks of 15 to 25 m² on level ground. Raised decks and built-in extras add a day or two.

Tell us about your garden

Three quick steps. A rough idea of the garden is plenty: the slope, the size, what you'd like to use it for.

Free to use. We are an introduction service: we find an independent local decking installer for the job and tell you who they are before anyone contacts you.

Step 1 of 3

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