Garden Tips & Resources

If you have a garden then you might want to think about updating its look with some garden decking. Decking is a lovely alternative to a hard, concrete or paved patio. Also, timber decking has a way of drawing the inside and outside of a home together in a way that’s not possible with a concrete or paved patio. Your garden decking doesn’t have to be the same as your neighbour’s because there are different types of decking and different ways of building the deck.

No matter what sort of wooden decking you choose, a good timber treatment will mean that the wood will fare better in poor weather conditions. Treated timber often looks better than untreated and it is less likely to suffer from woodworm and other problems that can affect the wood. Hard or solid wood may be more hardwearing and durable than you think. Your wood will be more weatherproof and better looking for longer if you treat and seal it properly.

Many people choose the attractive, warm tone of redwood as their material of choice for garden decking. As with other timbers, there are a number of different grades of redwood. Which grade you choose will determine how durable the wood is and how long it will retain its original appearance. When you are choosing redwood you need to bear in mind that color can vary from a very lightly toned red to a rich red brown color. When shopping for wood you need to know that decking comes in different grades and some grades may require a different type of timber treatment to others. Wood that is meant for decking is graded as follows: construction common, construction heart, clear heart and B grade.

A primary consideration when instaling a deck yourself is the strength of the foundation. Decks need a strong foundation, because they are designed to hold a lot of weight. While you can buy all the materials at your local garden centre or store and do the job yourself, unless you are used to building large structures, it is best to get a professional in to do the job.

Some people prefer their decking attached to their home so that the whole thing looks more of a piece, whereas others may prefer to have a free standing deck in the middle of the lawn. Whatever you decide, you should also remember that once the deck has been constructed, it will need regular maintenance. You should use wood preservatives on your deck as this helps to protect if from the weather, as well as keep it looking good. Although some people choose composite wood for their deck, you’ll find that the look and feel is nowhere as good as a natural, warm looking hardwood deck.

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