A raised deck is a great way to make the most of space that can otherwise go unused such as slopes and uneven areas, creating a level space for entertaining, eating al fresco, or just sitting out and enjoying the sunshine.

Before you start, head to our guide to planning your decking project for an essential introduction. This covers everything from how many boards you'll need to what design you should arrange them in.

Read How to plan your decking

Our example is of a deck that is:

• Raised - not laid on the ground floor
• Built on flat, soft and level ground
• Attached to a building (or wall) - ignore this section if building independently from a building
• Designed with the boards in a horizontal pattern
• Fitted with a balustrade made from spindles (balusters)
• Fitted with decking steps (with options for both timber and solid composite decking) and accompanying handrail
• Finished with skirting panels

If you plan to lay a more simple deck on the ground floor, check out our article on laying a basic deck for more information.

Read How to build a basic, ground-level deck

Let's start with constructing your elevated deck.