The Complete Guide to Caravan Decking

Park living offers an array of luxuries that are hard to find in a traditional housing estate, arguably the best of which is the scenic surroundings. All our park homes are situated in beautiful parks with picturesque views, so it’s only natural for you to want to make the most of the sights that border your home.

A great way to enhance the views from your home is in the form of decking. Lots of our static caravans come complete with exterior decking, but if yours doesn’t, it’s not a difficult change to implement.

We’ve summarised all the essential information you need to know to be equipped when considering caravan decking; so if it’s something you’re looking to invest in, keep reading.

Why Add Caravan Decking

Improving the exterior of your caravan won’t only increase your kerb appeal, it will also increase the footprint of your home and therefore add value. From an investment point of view, this is well worth doing as adding decking doesn’t cost a huge amount, but it could add a lot of extra value if you were looking to sell in the future.

In addition to financial value, decking is a great way to give your static caravan an instant facelift and make it look more contemporary and modern. Paired with other makeover ideas for your caravan, you could create an entirely new space for you and your family to enjoy without spending too much money. It also allows you to extend outwards and incorporate more furniture or storage solutions into your caravan, as well as offering a ‘complete’ look that clearly sets out the perimeter of your property.

Types of Caravan Decking

The type of caravan decking you choose will depend on a variety of factors, the most decisive of which being how often you use your caravan. If you own a holiday caravan and are absent from the park for the majority of the year, uPVC decking is a good option as it’s extremely easy to look after.

You can purchase uPVC decking that replicates the look of wood, but at a fraction of the cost. There are so many styles and colours to choose from, allowing you the flexibility to choose decking that suits your caravan the best.

Whilst uPVC is an attractive choice for many, it can be susceptible to sun damage. The colours can fade and look weathered and, in wet weather, can be quite slippery. This is something to keep in mind, especially for your residential caravan.

Unlike traditional wood decking, uPVC doesn’t absorb water, requires little attention and offers extended durability. Whilst all of this is appealing, wood decking has a certain draw as a result of its versatility, low risk of warping and classic finish. With the right care, wood decking can be extremely enduring and long-lasting, making it ideal for residential caravan homes.

It isn’t slippery and doesn’t weather in the same way as uPVC decking does, but timber wood decking requires a lot of upkeep. It needs to be varnished and treated to avoid mould or damp damage, although this can be done on a yearly basis.

If you’re stuck between wood or uPVC, there is a middle option called composite decking. A combination of wood and plastic, composite decking is eco-friendly and easy to maintain like uPVC whilst retaining the durability and relatively classic look of wood.

It doesn’t need to be treated and it doesn’t splinter. Composite decking doesn’t require staining and doesn’t absorb moisture, but it does have a shine to it as a result of the plastic content. Depending on the overall look you’re going for, composite decking is a good medium.

How Much does Caravan Decking Cost?

The price of static caravan decking will depend on the type you choose. The most affordable option is uPVC at roughly £12 per square foot. Composite and timber wood decking on average cost £50 per square metre each, making them a pricier option compared to uPVC.

You will need to decide if you want decking just at the front or side of your caravan, or if you’ll want decking around the full perimeter of your caravan.

In addition to your decking, you will need to add on fascia boards, posts, post caps, a balustrade and edging strips. You will also need to consider whether you wish to install handrails or gates as these will need to be costed in separately and will dictate the overall price of decking for a static caravan.

When thinking about price, you should always note how expensive damaged decking can be to replace. For example, uPVC is relatively budget-friendly, but it’s extremely difficult to fix which means if it does become damaged, it will be costly to replace and could end up costing more in the long run.

How to Build Caravan Decking

Purchasing the material is one thing, but you also need to factor in the cost of the installation. Whilst it’s possible to install decking yourself, outsourcing a professional company is the best way to guarantee a refined finish of the highest quality. Any gaps in the decking could provide an entry point for damp and moisture to get in, resulting in mould. This could be costly to fix in the future, so it’s essential that you take every care to avoid such issues during the building stage of your decking.

That being said, most decking boards slot together seamlessly which makes them easy to build yourself. Plus, you could save upwards of £1,000 by installing your decking yourself.

You will need to ensure the ground is levelled off and feel confident enough to install the basic framework including the joists and concrete slabs, so although the actual boards themselves are easy enough to lay, the rest of it is a bit trickier and could be more problematic.

Is Caravan Decking Suitable for Me?

Decking can be added to any static caravan – space permitting. You will need to check with your site manager on how far you can extend out but, generally, decking can be applied to any holiday or residential home. It can be adapted to accommodate ramps, providing easy access for wheelchairs and pushchairs, allowing your caravan to grow and change alongside your needs.

Here at Allens Caravans, we have a large range of holiday and residential homes. If you have any questions about buying a residential home, or if you already own a caravan on any of our parks and would like some advice about decking or anything else, don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be happy to help.