There is a version of the deck quoting process that skips the thinking. A builder arrives, takes dimensions and returns a price per square metre based on surface area. That version produces decks that are structurally adequate and visually ordinary, structures that fill the space without really belonging to it. Bayswater’s residential character makes the more considered approach worth considerably more to the homeowner.
What Bayswater Looks Like on the Ground?
The suburb of Bayswater falls into the Knox council area, and a large proportion of the housing stock in Bayswater is representative of the extensive suburban era that was instrumental in creating the suburbs of Melbourne’s outer eastern region during the middle to latter parts of the twentieth century. The average property features an existing home on a site which has never been modified since the initial landscaping took place, complete with mature tree coverage, adequate garden size and varied terrain. Deck builders Bayswater experienced in the area will recognise this character immediately and factor it into how they approach the assessment.
This particular situation, with established houses and gardens which no longer meet the current needs of households due to the lack of modification, represents the perfect example of where a good deck would add most value.
The Timber Palette in Context
Bayswater’s got a lovely tree canopy so that’s worth thinking about when you’re choosing your decking timber. All the leaf litter and debris from the native trees plus the shade they cast will make a big difference in what kind of timber is sensible for this site:
- Merbau is the go-to for lots of Bayswater builds; it’s super dense, naturally oily and can withstand summers without cracking.
- Spotted gum is a bit harder and lighter in colour, develops a nice silver-grey if left untreated. If you’re after a wood finish that looks really natural this could be a good choice.
- Composite decking is worth considering too; it can deal with leaf tannin stains and all you need to do is give it a clean now and then. By contrast, sealed timber surfaces can be a real pain if you’ve got a lot of tree cover.
Building to Last Under Melbourne’s Soil Conditions
Melbourne’s got some pretty tricky soils especially in areas like Bayswater, with reactive clays that expand and contract like crazy with the seasons. If you don’t build your footings right they’ll just shift over time and you’ll end up with a deck that’s falling apart. To avoid that you need to:
- Make sure your footings are designed to deal with all that movement.
- Don’t just go by minimum standards for your joist spacing and beam sizing; do the maths to make sure they can handle what you’re planning to use them for.
- Use stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanised fixings everywhere you can; they’re the right material for the job in Melbourne’s unpredictable weather.
- Make sure any pro you hire is giving you a pretty ironclad workmanship guarantee.
Permits, Victoria’s Reforms and What Knox Requires
Victoria made some pretty big changes to the rules around building and renovating a couple of months ago. If you’re building a deck in Bayswater, what you need to worry about is exactly the same permits you’ve always had to worry about, but now you have this new Building and Plumbing Commission, which just consolidated a few other bodies, and which is there to help protect the consumer in case things go wrong. The Victorian Building Authority is the right starting point for understanding what your permit obligations are, and checking in with Knox Council directly can also confirm any local overlays that apply to your specific site before work begins.
Ground Level, Raised or Split Level: The Site Decides
Many Bayswater properties, especially the older ones, have a drop in level from the house to the back fence. That means you’re likely to need raised framing on at least one side to make a proper level deck. How big a deal this is will depend on how steep the drop is and where the deck is going to end up.
A split-level deck design is a great way to go with the natural fall of the land rather than fighting it. This can create all sorts of interesting zones at different heights, and even helps keep the subframe from being too tall in any one spot. On a site with a really decent slope this can end up looking a lot better and feeling more like part of the yard than a flat platform.
