Raised Composite Deck with Under-Deck Storage – Corfe Mullen, Dorset

Project overview

We recently completed a raised composite deck replacement at a residential property in Corfe Mullen, Dorset.

The existing softwood deck had reached the end of its life. We stripped it out completely and built a new raised deck in its place using Deckorators Venture composite boards, a black powder-coated aluminium balustrade, and built-in under-deck storage.

The deck sits at first-floor level, accessed directly from the house via French doors, with steps leading down to the lower garden below.

Key Project Highlights:

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Replacing a Failing Softwood Deck

The before photos tell the story clearly. The original deck was softwood, and it had deteriorated significantly. The boards were covered in algae and moss, the fixings were corroding, and the structure had reached the point where replacement was the only sensible option.

This is a common outcome for softwood decks. The material absorbs moisture, promotes algae growth, and degrades over time regardless of how well it is maintained. The replacement deck uses composite boards that do not absorb water, do not support algae growth in the same way, and require no annual treatment to maintain their condition.

The difference in lifespan between the two is substantial.

A Practical Deck with Built-In Storage

The space beneath the deck is enclosed with composite cladding boards and fitted with a lockable access door. This gives the homeowner a dry, sheltered storage area that would otherwise be wasted space.

The cladding matches the warm brown tone of the deck boards, so the storage enclosure looks like a considered part of the build rather than an afterthought. The balustrade is black powder-coated aluminium with vertical bar infills, which suits the proportions of the deck and the character of the property.

Steps at one end lead down to the paved patio below, keeping the connection between the two levels straightforward.

deckorators Venture deck with aluminium balustrade

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A Subframe Built Without Ground Contact

The subframe uses UC4 pressure-treated timber joists, but the support posts are Millboard Plas-Pro, made from recycled plastic. No timber makes contact with the ground at any point.

Plastic posts do not rot, do not absorb moisture, and do not degrade in the way timber does when it sits in or near the soil. Combined with UC4 joists above, the subframe is built to last without structural maintenance.

This approach addresses the main reason raised decks fail over time. The original deck on this site is a good example of what happens when softwood is used throughout, including at ground level. The replacement is built differently from the ground up.

Project Image Gallery

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This decking installation was completed in Corfe Mullen, Dorset

At Minster Decking, we work on a wide variety of decking projects within Dorset and Hampshire. From design, installation, repairs, maintenance and replacement - we have you covered.

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