How to keep your composite decking safe for all the family

There’s nothing quite like spending the day outside on the decking with the whole family, soaking up the rays and enjoying the summer weather. If you’re thinking about investing in some composite decking for your garden this summer, you’re in the right place. At North Valley Composites, we’re the UK’s leading stockists of premium quality, 3D textured composite fence and gate boards. So, we know a thing or two about building a beautiful composite deck.

However, like any new addition to the garden, if you have a family with small children, you want to make sure that it’s safe for them to enjoy and explore, too, and decking is no exception to that rule. Although our composite decking is generally safe, there are a few adjustments you can make to ensure maximum security and peace of mind for you and your family as you enjoy your garden all summer long. Let’s take a look!

Invest in some fencing

Investing in fencing or balustrades is one of the first things you should consider if you want to make your decking area as child-friendly as possible. Adding fencing to your decking not only adds an extra aesthetic element to your garden but also offers numerous safety benefits, like preventing falls and offering additional structural support for your kids to hold onto as they walk. They are tall enough to discourage climbing, and the gap between the spindles is too narrow for anyone to fit through. At the same time, they will not obstruct the view of your garden or block out any light.

Install a gate

Install a gate to prevent your children from venturing too far away from the decking. This is especially helpful if you have steep steps leading down to the rest of your garden that you want to block off at certain times. Much like a balustrade, a gate will prevent your children and even your pets from wandering too far away when you have your back turned without blocking out any sunlight or affecting the aesthetic value of your space.

Place your furniture strategically

One more straightforward way to make your decking safe for the whole family is to consider the placement of your decking furniture strategically. If you’ve gone through the trouble of installing barriers and fencing, the last thing you want to do is push your garden furniture up flush against them. While you might be focused on creating an aesthetically pleasing layout for entertaining, you should also ensure that it prevents children and pets from easily getting over the balustrade, which could undo all your hard work. Organising your furniture in the centre of your decking is a great and not to mention a stylish way of getting the best of both worlds!

The last few things we’d say are to make sure any spillages are wiped up immediately and to keep an eye on any sharp objects or wires you may have lying around when you’re out spending the day on your decking. You want to keep walkways free from obstructions to prevent any trips, and if you’re going to light candles or lanterns for some ambience as the sun starts to set, make sure they’re out of reach! If you keep all of this in mind while setting up your deck, you’ll have a safe and enjoyable summer with the whole family!

If you want some stunning, maintenance-free composite decking to enjoy your summer from, we’ve got a variety of stunning shades for you to choose from at North Valley Composites! From Chocolate brown, to Ash grey and even striking modern Black Ash, all of which come with a 10-year warranty. Got any questions about our range? Give our friendly team of experts a call on 01282 677300 and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect composite decking for your space.