Thank you for replying Sobi. It was from seeing your post that I checked the Endurance website out and contacted the local fitter but they said their Endurance doors start at £2,200 - £2,300 which is quite a difference from the quote you received! I will look at your suggestion. I have had a quote and someone measure for a Rockdoor and quotes for Solidor but am just so confused as to which is the best to opt for. I have read negative reviews that recently Rockdoors adhesive is failing and the local fitter for the Endurance door advised that they used to fit Solidor but had issues with damp or something getting into the top of the doors, but that was two plus years ago so might have improved since then, maybe.

With a decking, it is always best to remember that you get what you pay for so material quality is paramount. The support structure is also extremely important and a composite option should be considered as you will have no issues with rot. If your budget is really tight, then have you considered looking on ebay or the internet for a reclaimed hardwood? It may look tatty and discoloured however you can generally buy this cheaply and then renovate it with a jet wash before re-finishing. You can rent a great jet wash from HSS which will strip any algae, etc., quickly and leave the wood looking renewed. A hardwood will last for a very long time if treated properly and this applies to the reclaimed option as well.

I think I’d advise against decking too, at least in the area close to the house as it would need to below the level of the damp course which would involve taking up the paving and a lot of ground works anyway. Decking needs to be raised so there’s no contact with ground but by doing so can create other problems such as make a great nesting site for rats and other rodents, not to mention slipperyness and more maintenance. Not saying it can’t be done and being a party pooper🙂, you could have steel frame and composite decking, just think it will be more work than you’re envisioning. With regards drainage and moss I’m guessing its north facing and doesn’t get much sun? Does water pool or puddle on the paving? Perhaps a drainage channel (see example pic) next to house may work more effectively but in a small area I don’t think it‘d be necessary. Certainly check the gutters for moss but i wouldn’t worry too much about the roof unless it’s really bad. On our house the birds tend to flick moss off the roof and gutters in search of food. You can get porcelain paving that looks like wood, maybe this could be an alternative. Personally I would get some advice from a few local landscapers to see what is possible and look at drainage.

We’ve been doing a new part the garden ( had trees removed ) this summer and we have been looking at various types of decking ... Trex and Millboard have been the most expensive both around £7000 for 52m some suppliers haven’t come back to me ( given then a month to do so ) some places like B&Q had a lovely display of a taupe one I liked but none in stock or available to order ... the result is that we are probably going with either yellow Balu hardwood ( as have that elsewhere so it least it will match ) or softwood if I can get one that’s flat . The hardwood is about £3000 and the softwood seems to be coming in about half of that. Hope that helps a bit ??