1st Class Gardens

Materials, Design & Maintenance for UK Gardens. Decking transforms your garden and extends your indoor living space outdoors. Be it a dining platform on a slope, a relaxation zone, or a usable surface on bare ground, decking solutions have the possibility to transform your outdoor space. Customisation of your outdoor space starts with material and not style. The material you choose translates to cost, risk, load, and climate durability, as well as the usability of the space.

Wood vs Composite: The Real DifferenceNatural aesthetics and feel is the major appeal of timber decking. Pressure treated softwoods are typically cheaper, costing about £20-60/square metre, but are an expensive decking choice in the long run because of constant maintenance. Hardwood decking like Ipe and Cumaru have a better cost to benefit ratio. All timber comes annual maintenance, and in the UK with a damp climate, timber decking is not the best long term choice. Seasonal upkeep is constant for timber to avoid rotting, fading, and splitting. For those who enjoy garden maintenance, timber decking is a great choice. For those with a busy lifestyle and garden maintenance timber decking is a poor choice.

Composite decking, which is wood fibres and recycled plastic, has a higher cost of about £80-160/square metre but is virtually maintenance free. Composite decking is also better long term, as timber decking rots and fails over time without upkeep. The only upkeep for maintenance composite decking requires is cleaning with a hose.

Most composites have a lifespan between 15-20 years, while untreated timber averages 10-15. Untreated timber actually transforms the aesthetic of a home. Timber weathers into a silver-grey, while maintaining a natural color means exposing the timber to treatment. Composite boards maintain their color, with a slightly manufactured look in comparison to timber. Composite boards are improving and now offer wood-effect finishes with a more natural timber grain, but composite boards do not naturally age like timber. Decking is especially great for dealing with uneven ground. Slope in your garden? Decking can solve that without the need for extensive earthworks. Decking also deals with muddy ground. Decking even accommodates gentle slopes. For for more severe slopes a split-level design is ideal, but for a 2 meter drop a multi-level decking solution may not be the most economical. Ground drainage is important for building a dry deck. Decking is built on posts which creates a space for air to circulate under the decking, which makes it a good solution for damp areas. If water collects on the ground after a rain under the decking, that may be a problem. Drainage may need to be addressed, or gravel may be placed under the structure. Size and layout especially matters for decking. 3 meters by 3 meters is a good minimum for a dining deck that can comfortably hold a table for 6.

A lounging platform with a size of 2.5 by 2.5 meters holds a couple of recliners. 1.2 meter wide pathways accommodate 2-way passage. The deck shape contributes to the feeling of the space. Rectangles are easy to build and look clean. Curves and hexagons cost more but look more creative. If your garden has a strange layout, or if you want to define more than one space, L-shaped decks can be used. Zoning can be achieved with edge details, such as a deck with a simple straight edge and a composite trim board. While considering your deck materials, think about barefoot splinters and rough edges. Composite boards are splinter free. Timber boards with a sanded finish maintain a smooth edge longer than boards with a rough edge. Decking and Building Standards. Deck construction consists of more than just screwing in boards. For decks higher than 30 cm, Building Standards in England (and equivalents in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) require load bearing posts at 1.8 meter intervals. Many people hire a builder, as more ground level decks are compliant. Deck posts require concrete pads or footings below the frost line. For the UK, frost lines are 60-75 cm. Boards require spacing to allow for swelling and contracting moisture. Wood requires a gap of about 6 mm while composite boards require 2-3 mm.

Without sufficient spacing, stagnant moisture will cause rotting and mold. Here, we examine the difference between timber and composite decking. Composite decking requires less intensive maintenance. Composite has a tendency to grow mold and algae in shaded, damp areas. Mold can be removed with a soft wash, and algae can be removed with a gentle scrubbing. Discoloration from debris is temporary and will discolor in the rain. In a decade, the boards may develop some minor scratches, but the composite frame will be in sound condition. Comparatively, timber decks take more effort. In the first year, you can simply enjoy the timber. In the second year, you should plan to treat the timber. You will be doing more than a quick task to sand and reseal the timber every two to three years. This maintenance can be burdensome. Although timber decking appears cheaper, it’s more expensive over 30 years. A softwood deck approximately 3 x 4 meters will cost £2000 initially. After 5 years, another £1500 will be spent on upkeep, and after 15 years, it’ll need a complete replacement. A 3 x 4 meter composite deck will be £4500 with virtually no upkeep in the same timeframe. Regardless of the chosen design, enjoy the decking rather than let it become a chore.