How do I Get the Perfect Decking?
Advice on choosing and installing decking as well as maintenance tips to make it last longer
The beauty of a timber deck is that you can completely customise it to your outside space and needs. But having so many options means it’s easy to make a mistake, such as creating a deck that’s the wrong size for its surroundings. If it’s too big, it’ll overpower the garden; too small and it’ll look lost. Likewise, poor-quality materials can add costs and stress if they deteriorate quickly. Here, a trio of experts share their top tips on building and looking after your decking. Follow their advice to get a deck to die for.
Professional advice from: Alex Collins of ecodek; James Napier of Gripsure; Janet Sycamore of the Timber Decking and Cladding Association
Beginning your garden project? Read How to Start a Garden Redesign
Professional advice from: Alex Collins of ecodek; James Napier of Gripsure; Janet Sycamore of the Timber Decking and Cladding Association
Beginning your garden project? Read How to Start a Garden Redesign
2. Take measurements
The next step is to measure the area you’re aiming to deck to work out how many square metres of timber you’ll need. For square or rectangular areas, simply measure the length and depth of the space and multiply the two numbers together. “For areas involving other shapes or curves, it’s a bit more complicated,” says James Napier of Gripsure. “For these, it’s helpful to break the overall space into individual shapes, and work out the area of each before adding them all together at the end.”
Once you’ve measured the space, you need to work out how much extra timber you’ll need for any cutting and shaping. “The amount allowed will vary, depending on the complexity of the design and the amount of cuts required, but as a general guide, most suppliers suggest between five and 10 per cent,” advises Napier. “If in doubt, it’s always worth sending a drawing over to your supplier to get a second opinion.”
The TDCA’s deck calculator (available as an app) helps you to work out how much timber you need for a given size and shape of deck. It also estimates how many fixings you’ll need, plus, if you plan to coat the deck, how much coating product to get.
The next step is to measure the area you’re aiming to deck to work out how many square metres of timber you’ll need. For square or rectangular areas, simply measure the length and depth of the space and multiply the two numbers together. “For areas involving other shapes or curves, it’s a bit more complicated,” says James Napier of Gripsure. “For these, it’s helpful to break the overall space into individual shapes, and work out the area of each before adding them all together at the end.”
Once you’ve measured the space, you need to work out how much extra timber you’ll need for any cutting and shaping. “The amount allowed will vary, depending on the complexity of the design and the amount of cuts required, but as a general guide, most suppliers suggest between five and 10 per cent,” advises Napier. “If in doubt, it’s always worth sending a drawing over to your supplier to get a second opinion.”
The TDCA’s deck calculator (available as an app) helps you to work out how much timber you need for a given size and shape of deck. It also estimates how many fixings you’ll need, plus, if you plan to coat the deck, how much coating product to get.
3. Invest in the best you can afford
Don’t be tempted to buy cheap decking or installation services as they’re likely to disappoint, simply because they won’t stand the test of time.
“It’s better to buy the best you can afford and downscale the size of your project rather than scrimp on a larger deck,” advises Sycamore. You can always extend and develop your decked area in phases later on.
Find local decking, patio and shed specialists and read reviews from previous clients
Don’t be tempted to buy cheap decking or installation services as they’re likely to disappoint, simply because they won’t stand the test of time.
“It’s better to buy the best you can afford and downscale the size of your project rather than scrimp on a larger deck,” advises Sycamore. You can always extend and develop your decked area in phases later on.
Find local decking, patio and shed specialists and read reviews from previous clients
4. Choose wood wisely
“If you’re on a budget, then pressure-treated softwood (such as pine or redwood) is the timber of choice,” says Sycamore. “It needs to have been properly impregnated with a wood preservative in an industrial treatment factory.”
The timber for the substructure is equally as important as the deck boards. “When you buy treated timber from a store, it doesn’t always say what it’s suitable for, so check that it’s right for a deck, especially if it’s going to be in ground contact,” advises Sycamore. “Not all pressure-treated timber is the same because it’s treated according to where it will be used – either indoors, outdoors above ground or outdoors in ground contact.”
Make sure you buy from a credible supplier that offers long guarantees of performance or that’s accredited under renowned quality schemes such as DeckMark.
More: Where to Save Money on a Garden Renovation
“If you’re on a budget, then pressure-treated softwood (such as pine or redwood) is the timber of choice,” says Sycamore. “It needs to have been properly impregnated with a wood preservative in an industrial treatment factory.”
The timber for the substructure is equally as important as the deck boards. “When you buy treated timber from a store, it doesn’t always say what it’s suitable for, so check that it’s right for a deck, especially if it’s going to be in ground contact,” advises Sycamore. “Not all pressure-treated timber is the same because it’s treated according to where it will be used – either indoors, outdoors above ground or outdoors in ground contact.”
Make sure you buy from a credible supplier that offers long guarantees of performance or that’s accredited under renowned quality schemes such as DeckMark.
More: Where to Save Money on a Garden Renovation
5. Boost the budget for longer life
For decking that will really last, choose a naturally durable tropical hardwood. ”Our most popular hardwoods – yellow balau, iroko, cedar and oak – are at the more expensive end of decking budgets,” says Napier. “However, with hardwood decking you get a much longer in-service life (anything up to 50 years plus).”
On a par with hardwoods in terms of cost are modified woods such as Accoya, in which the durability of the timber is improved in a process that changes the timber’s physical properties.
For decking that will really last, choose a naturally durable tropical hardwood. ”Our most popular hardwoods – yellow balau, iroko, cedar and oak – are at the more expensive end of decking budgets,” says Napier. “However, with hardwood decking you get a much longer in-service life (anything up to 50 years plus).”
On a par with hardwoods in terms of cost are modified woods such as Accoya, in which the durability of the timber is improved in a process that changes the timber’s physical properties.
6. Make maintenance matter
“Quality pressure-treated softwoods have built-in protection against decay,” says Sycamore. As a result, you won’t need to apply further wood preservative treatment for the life of the timber. However, the wood will benefit if you regularly apply a water-repellent coating that penetrates into its surface.
Decks need to be kept dirt and debris free. The best way to achieve this is with regular brushing and an annual clean. Check your deck’s condition before you buy cleaning materials and look for specialist cleaners if necessary.
For hardwood decking, Napier suggests applying a UV protection oil. You don’t need to do this regularly, but the treatment will keep your deck looking smart.
“Quality pressure-treated softwoods have built-in protection against decay,” says Sycamore. As a result, you won’t need to apply further wood preservative treatment for the life of the timber. However, the wood will benefit if you regularly apply a water-repellent coating that penetrates into its surface.
Decks need to be kept dirt and debris free. The best way to achieve this is with regular brushing and an annual clean. Check your deck’s condition before you buy cleaning materials and look for specialist cleaners if necessary.
For hardwood decking, Napier suggests applying a UV protection oil. You don’t need to do this regularly, but the treatment will keep your deck looking smart.
7. Look beyond timber
Timber isn’t your only option. Wood polymer composites (WPCs) were developed as an alternative to timber for environments where durability and rot and infestation resistance were needed.
“WPCs are manufactured from a mixing of finely ground wood particles [wood flour] and heated thermoplastic resin. Both virgin and recycled polymers can be used,” explains Alex Collins of ecodek, which uses millions of recycled plastic milk bottles to provide the raw materials for the thermoplastic resin element of the WPC mix.
Pricewise, WPCs are on a par with hardwoods, but may be worth the investment given their benefits. For starters, WPCs have strong environmental and sustainability credentials. What’s more, they don’t erode and are completely resistant to rot and attack by wood-boring insects.
“They’re extremely stable, don’t crack or split, have excellent workability and can be shaped and cut using conventional woodworking tools. WPCs can also be curved with the application of heat to form strong, arching contours,” adds Collins.
Timber isn’t your only option. Wood polymer composites (WPCs) were developed as an alternative to timber for environments where durability and rot and infestation resistance were needed.
“WPCs are manufactured from a mixing of finely ground wood particles [wood flour] and heated thermoplastic resin. Both virgin and recycled polymers can be used,” explains Alex Collins of ecodek, which uses millions of recycled plastic milk bottles to provide the raw materials for the thermoplastic resin element of the WPC mix.
Pricewise, WPCs are on a par with hardwoods, but may be worth the investment given their benefits. For starters, WPCs have strong environmental and sustainability credentials. What’s more, they don’t erode and are completely resistant to rot and attack by wood-boring insects.
“They’re extremely stable, don’t crack or split, have excellent workability and can be shaped and cut using conventional woodworking tools. WPCs can also be curved with the application of heat to form strong, arching contours,” adds Collins.
8. Ensure debris-free decks
Most WPC composites are inherently low-maintenance products, although this can vary between manufacturers.
“You must keep the boards clean, free from debris and litter, and maintain the ventilation and drainage gaps in between and at the ends of the boards, especially where they butt up to another board or a wall,” says Collins. “By keeping them clean and ensuring drainage channels are clear, you’ll maximise slip resistance, aesthetics and lifespan.”
Most WPC composites are inherently low-maintenance products, although this can vary between manufacturers.
“You must keep the boards clean, free from debris and litter, and maintain the ventilation and drainage gaps in between and at the ends of the boards, especially where they butt up to another board or a wall,” says Collins. “By keeping them clean and ensuring drainage channels are clear, you’ll maximise slip resistance, aesthetics and lifespan.”
9. Bring in the pros
An experienced deck builder understands how to design and build to get the best results. “They have an understanding of how wood works and behaves in an outdoor environment,” says Sycamore. “More importantly, they’ll make sure the deck is safe for its intended use, based on what it has to support. This is particularly important for raised decking.” Look out for DeckMark accredited installers – this is the only accreditation where the quality of the installers’ work and knowledge is independently inspected every year.
Tell us…
Do you have decking in your outdoor space? Tell us about it in the Comments.
An experienced deck builder understands how to design and build to get the best results. “They have an understanding of how wood works and behaves in an outdoor environment,” says Sycamore. “More importantly, they’ll make sure the deck is safe for its intended use, based on what it has to support. This is particularly important for raised decking.” Look out for DeckMark accredited installers – this is the only accreditation where the quality of the installers’ work and knowledge is independently inspected every year.
Tell us…
Do you have decking in your outdoor space? Tell us about it in the Comments.
“You need to consider what the deck will be used for,” says Janet Sycamore of the Timber Decking and Cladding Association (TDCA). “Is it simply a case of having a quiet spot for you to sit, relax, read a book or enjoy the sunshine, or do you want space for outdoor dining and entertaining? If your deck is to be a sunbathing spot, it’ll need to be in the right location to make the most of the sun during the day. Consider whether the kids will want a play area or built-in sand pit too. And if your deck is intended as a dining area, how big will the table be and do you want it in full sunshine or some shade?”
Think about everyone who’ll use the deck before you start to make sure what you’ve planned can handle everyone’s needs.
More: 10 Common Garden Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them