Wood is the most precious natural material we have, and it is evident that Britain is starting to see its beauty. It’s not only strong and functional, it is hardwearing and weatherproof with the right care. There are so many different types of wood to choose from, and the British public are now using wood both indoors and outdoors for both functional and aesthetic purposes.
As an outdoor material wood is a perfect choice, it has many benefits, with minimal foundation work making it a big hit. It can be used to fence a garden, it’s easy and quick to build, and adds character to a garden.
Garden decking is a great idea because wood is so light and it’s great to walk on and blends in beautifully with its surroundings.
Which is the right type of decking for you?
You will need to think about whether the ground you’ll be using your decking for is on a slope or whether it’s flat. Will it be directly in the sun or will it be shaded? Will you be wanting to create a screen to protect yourself from the wind, if this is the case, then you’ll have to figure this in with your initial plans.
Public or private?
Is your garden decking going to be in public view, or do you want it to be in private space, and do you want trees and shrubbery to provide some much needed privacy?
Drains and Manholes
Make sure the decking isn’t going to be in the way of your drains or on any manholes.
Who is your decking for?
Who’s going to be using the garden decking, is it for adults or large family use? You may want to install a play area where the children can play interrupted.
Softwood or hardwood?
Whether you choose to use softwood or hardwood, what you will find is that not all types of either wood are suitable for garden decking. You need something that will work in all weathers when it’s outdoors. You need something that is naturally durable which will invariably be a hardwood. Otherwise a softwood that’s been treated so it is durable.
Treated softwoods are popular in the UK with Scottish pines being a big favourite. Hardwoods are a big advantage with their hardwearing abilities and of course the colours and grain pattern are a big attraction. There are many different types of hardwood that are quite popular and they have a long life expectancy as do treated softwoods.
Deck Board Styles
Garden decking boards have different styles as well as woods. You can have grooves, ribs or with hi-grip if you want extra security for door access points. Choose a style that is in keeping with your own personal style and one which complements your home.
Garden Decking – Lothian Fencing & Decking
If you choose us to fit your garden decking, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that we only work to good industry practices and comply with the guidelines of the Timber Decking Association, so your garden decking will be both safe and secure.
We hope you found our guide on garden decking useful, if you have any further questions, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.