All Hands on Deck: Advertisement Feature

Over the last few years garden decking has been described by some individuals as passé. This may be so but one cannot deny that garden decking is now firmly established as a main stream garden landscaping product alongside concrete patio slabs and natural stone. This is due to the fact that it is incredibly versatile, easy to handle and work with, and creates attractive and functional areas outdoors quickly. In most instances a well built and designed deck will add the value of a property, and decks have quite often been marketed as a 'new room outdoors'. Decks can be used to extend your living space, create a focal point of your garden, provide an area for you to eat outdoors, surround a pool or hot tub, create a space for kids to play in or for adults to enjoy a sun trap, the list is endless!

There are certain situations where garden decking wins over stone or concrete type flooring products hands down. This is where an area of your garden is sloped and currently difficult to make the most of or where the height from your door sill to ground level is above a comfortable step height. In both these instances because decking is laid onto an elevated timber frame, the ability to overcome a gradient or drop in height between indoors and out is very cost effective because the materials are relatively inexpensive, easy to handle and quick to construct to a height above ground level. In general landscape design, the use of a mix of materials is generally most effective and more often than not decking is utilised to assist with creating form. It is also wise to keep things simple and not overcomplicate your deck design; the less intricate you can make it whilst incorporating planting the more pleasing it will be on the eye. Landscaping sleepers are great for creating robust edges and planters within and around decks.

As the decking market has grown over the last ten years so have the products, from pressure treated softwood to cedar to home grown and topical hardwoods and composite decking (plastic and wood mix). It really depends on your budget but the vast majority of decking fitted in the UK is pressure treated softwood because it provides such good value for money, but do bear in mind that the quality can vary quite considerably and it is wise only to buy those that come with a warranty against rot and insect attack. The application of end grain preservative to all cuts and notches made to treated timber is often a condition of any warranty. Cedar is also a popular species because it is naturally durable  and has a spicy aroma, but care must be taken to exclude any sapwood as this part of the timber is perishable. At the upper end of the price range Hardwoods and composite type products are now more widely available. Composites generally combine timber and plastic which is sometimes from recycled material. It is a known fact that decking, if poorly maintained, can become slippery and therefore there are slip resistant decking products (anti-slip decking) also now available. Some composite decking has slip resistant properties whereas timber decking has to have a hard aggregate strip built into the upper surface to provide enhanced grip. Another feature of timber decking is that over time it will fade to a grey colour whereas some of the composite decking available is coloured and stays coloured.

When buying timber decking, be it softwood or hardwood, it is advisable to source material that has come from properly and sustainably managed forests. Those products sold as FSC, PEFC or CSA certified are proof that the products have suitable forestry certification.

For more information about garden decking and where to buy it visit www.qualitydecking.co.uk or for a free brochure please call the Q-Deck helpline on 0800 849 6339 (Monday-Friday).