Hi Emmeline, We completely agree with Aye Gardening. Softwood requires maintenance, and if you do not have the time to keep it good looking, we recommend you go for composite decking, such as Millboard. We have also seen some amazing transformation with Millboard Composite Decking, as it requires very little maintenance, it has good slip-resistance, it doesn't age, and can be used in damp areas as well - such as pool surrounds. Have a look at more photos here: https://www.houzz.co.uk/ideabooks/81725744/thumbs/how-composite-decking-can-transform-your-outdoor-space  Kind regards, London Stone

I think rather than fixing any seating - keep it flexible - as despite being a floating home - it looks to me to me moored in one fixed location ? So if you keep the seating flexible you can follow the sun (or shade ) ... 2x three seater or four seater sofas could potentially double up as two sun loungers - might be worth looking at... are you thinking of an outdoor kitchen up there too ?

It might be that time of the year when everybody likes to kick back and relax — summer. Grab this golden opportunity to make some renovations to your home that will not only make life more comfortable but also increase the value of your home. Home improvement is increasingly becoming popular among homeowners, and nothing provides sufficient time for this than that long summer break. Never make the common mistake that many do by concentrating too much on the outdoors. Your well trimmed lawn and perfectly aligned hedge could look good to your neighbors, but your family’s needs to be considered, especially if they’re burning from the summer heat inside. Renovations Tips You Can’t Ignore It is no doubt that the number one priority for most homes is how to handle the heat when it becomes too much for comfort. This season (the summer) also is the perfect time for you to work on your lawns and gardens to ensure everything looks bright and lively. There are numerous projects you can undertake to improve your home in the winter. However, this doesn’t mean you should try everything you hear about. Here are some key areas you can work on over the summer to make home a much better place: Ventilation: Effective interior ventilation is important during summer to make the heat more tolerable. This also improves the quality of the indoor air you inhale. The easiest way for most homes is to install a venting skylight. A more affordable way is to employ cross ventilation by setting up windows opposite each other. If these don’t work out for you, you can try one of these: • An open floor plan instead of one with many partitions. • Placement of air entry and exit vents. • Use of ceiling fans. In-ground swimming pool: Sounds expensive but more than worth the money if you can afford one. This will guarantee relaxing and cool water sessions especially in the afternoons. Deck: Attaching a deck to your home is one of the best renovations you can do in the summer. A composite deck would be good for durability and easy maintenance. Storage unit: Building a storage unit can be also a part of renovation. It will free up the home spaces from gathering. Patio: If you need space in the backyard for outdoor barbecues and parties, setting up a patio is the way to go. This is especially if a deck is too much to ask of you. Backyard kitchen: Well if you can’t take the heat, you can move your kitchen outside. For the places where summer gets too warm to cook, this will be a great idea to improve your home value. Plan In Advance Cutting costs is important in the summer, and as such cutting down energy costs by use of sun control window films is a good idea. In case you opt to water your lawn, a analyze your soil structure and terrain to identify the most economical positions to place sprinklers. There’s much you can do to renovate your home in the summer, but never without planning. Planning in advance will help you know the most economical ways to improve your biggest lifetime investment to your home.

Looking for advice on what material to sit a hot tub on? We have an as yet ‘unlandscaped’ area of the garden adjacent to the garage wall. Photo attached. Have recently had the garage wall rendered in white and now has 3 wall lights and power outlet so seems a good location for the hot tub. The ground is slightly higher next to garage as is on a slope running down to the patio where the photo is taken from which is next to the house. Was thinking possibly composite decking to mix up the materials as we have 2 patio areas already. One in silver sandstone and one in grey slate. Is either a better option for weight of a hot tub? Thanks