Not every decking project starts with a clean, level surface. Some of the most rewarding installations we undertake begin with a site that looks, on first inspection, like it has no business hosting a premium outdoor living space. The project at Finlake Holiday Resort — a recent installation that showcased what structural precision really means — is exactly that kind of job.
The Challenge: Slope, Soft Ground and a Hot Tub Brief
The plot was sloped, the ground was soft in places, and the client wanted a level deck with integrated hot tub, privacy screening and a balustrade system — all finished to the standard expected of a premium holiday lodge. The brief called for groundworks first, then a structural steel and timber subframe, then composite decking boards, then screening and balustrade. In that order, with no shortcuts at any stage.
Stage 1: Groundworks and Subframe
Getting the groundworks right on a sloped site is everything. We excavated to firm ground, installed compacted hardcore and post bases at the correct centres for the structural load, then erected a pressure-treated timber subframe at a true level — measured from the lodge threshold. This is the work that nobody photographs but everybody depends on. A deck that moves, twists or settles in year one is a failed deck, regardless of what boards are on top.
- Firm ground foundation — excavated to bearing capacity, not just scraped level
- Hot tub pad engineered separately to take the static load of a filled tub (typically 1,200–2,000 kg)
- Pressure-treated subframe set at true level from the lodge door threshold
- All fixings are marine-grade stainless steel — appropriate for the Devon climate
Stage 2: Composite Decking and Finishing
Once the subframe passed our level check, composite boards went down in a running bond pattern — consistent gaps, consistent fixing depth, boards cut cleanly at the perimeter. The privacy screening panels were framed in timber and clad to match the deck aesthetic. The balustrade system was fitted last, set into the outer joist and tensioned to meet building regulations for fall protection.
Why Composite on a Sloped Site?
Composite decking is the right material for any installation where moisture retention could be an issue. On a sloped garden, water runs toward the structure during heavy rain. Timber boards on a poorly designed sloped deck will absorb that moisture, swell, twist and eventually rot from the underside. Composite boards are impervious to water infiltration — they will not swell, will not harbour mould in the core, and need no annual treatment. The extra upfront cost pays back very quickly in a Devon climate where we see more than 1,000 mm of rainfall per year.
"From a tricky sloped plot and bare base… to a solid, clean, fully finished deck and screening ready to enjoy."
The Finished Result
Twelve days from groundworks to sign-off: level composite deck, structural hot tub pad, privacy screening on three sides, balustrade around the perimeter, and a finish that looks as though it grew from the lodge itself. The client walked out of the lodge door, stepped onto the deck, and said nothing — because sometimes the work does the talking.
Have a sloped garden?
Slopes are our speciality. We survey the site, engineer the solution, and deliver a level, safe, beautiful deck — regardless of the terrain. Book your free survey.