5 Ways Decking Can Improve Your Home and Garden

As well as looking good, garden decking offers you a way to show off your garden differently and make the use of your outdoor space to best effect. Of course, it’s also great for providing a place where you can rest and relax after a busy day, so you can enjoy your garden during the warm summer evenings.

If your garden is uneven, perhaps some parts of it are on a slope, you can easily level it out with decking and give your garden a more symmetrical feel. It’s cost effective too, so you won’t be investing an absolute fortune.

Elevation and Split-Level Decking

If you want to improve the view so you can see the landscape, you can always add some extra elevation to the decking or make it split-level, so you can see over the horizon. Always give consideration to your neighbours though, you don’t want your decking raised to the point where you can see directly into their garden as this would be intrusive.

Bring Your Garden & Inner Space Closer Together

Garden decking also allows you to spread your indoor areas outside. Such as your living room or kitchen. By extending your living space you can add more charm and endless opportunities for entertaining. By having your decking area near where you cook or serve food you cut short the journey from stove to serving. There’s a more seamless entry from the kitchen to the decking dining area and food will stay hot for longer.

Cooking and Entertaining

You can even add more cooking facilities to your decking with a barbecue or modest cooking area with kitchen facilities similar to your main kitchen. You can lay out your decking in such a way that it leads the eyes to the garden outside so there’s something beautiful to look at.

Flowers and Plants

You can add some beautiful flowers and plants to your decking, it doesn’t have to be bare. How about some vegetables too? You can also have a vertical wall garden, if you have fencing around your decking. Climbing plants are great and help give you some foliage if you don’t have much space available.

Have Your Garden Decking Just the Way You Like It

As you can see there are no limits when it comes to your garden decking and you can have it as full or as bare you want it. You can have a minimalist garden decking that’s stylish and elegant, or you can have it bursting with colour and busy with plants and flowers. Whatever you decide your garden decking will be the perfect area in which to entertain your guests.

Lothian Fencing & Decking – Garden Experts

If you’re looking to improve your home and garden, why not ask us about garden decking for your home. Get in touch and we’d be more than happy to take you through our range of quality garden decking and help choose one that’s right for you. Here’s to all that summer evening entertainment!

Benefits of Investing in Decking in 2018

Today we’d like to talk about the advantages of decking and why it’s such a great idea to invest in it. Decking, when properly installed, can add a charming, elegant area in which to relax, and it can also add value to your home. So, as you can imagine, it’s well worth the investment. What we’re going to do today is talk to you in more detail about the benefits of decking and then you can decide for yourself.

Entertaining

The first thing that springs to mind is that decking is the perfect way to entertain guests. It creates the space for dinners, barbecues and general gatherings where you can entertain guests with plenty of room for manoeuvre. With decking you can enjoy the outside in a cordial living room style, making it a place where you’ll want to spend more time in.

Extra Space To Enjoy Your Home

You’ll also get extra space, space which gives you extra storage options and this means that your garden is clutter free with more room to move around. It’s almost like adding an extra room to your home. Here, you can add furniture, create an area for children to play and install some outdoor cooking features, so you can eat outside more often.

Is Decking Too Expensive?

If you think decking is too expensive, think again. Decking doesn’t have to cost as much as you think and it’s worth the investment. Decking can be relatively cost effective, and in comparison to other renovations you may carry out on your home, this is probably one of the cheapest. What’s more, as we mentioned earlier, it adds value to your property so should you decide to sell in the future, you could sell it for considerably more.

Garden Decking Looks Great!

Decking is also aesthetically pleasing, basically it looks really good and gives your home and your garden a real facelift. If you’re trying to avoid moving and want to create more space, this is the ideal way to do it and cheaper than selling if that’s not an option right now.

Lothian Decking and Fencing – For Beautifully Installed Quality Decking.

In essence, installing garden decking is a win-win for you and will add so much in terms of pleasure, aesthetics and value, both fiscal and emotional. If you’re looking to install garden decking make sure you hire professionals, such as ourselves. We’re a team of qualified, trained and experienced craftsmen and we have many years’ experience installing garden decking for many satisfied customers. So, if you want that ideal space to entertain your guests this summer, get in touch with us today.

Spring Clean Your Garden

Have you spring cleaned your garden yet? Now is the perfect time to get started, but if you think you need a bit of help, then you couldn’t have come to a better place to get it. Here at Lothian Decking and Fencing we’re all for helping our customers get the most out of their garden. So, stay tuned while we go through some useful tips on keeping your garden in tip top condition.

Get Rid Of All That Winter Debris

Removing debris is the first step to approaching your spring tidy up. Your garden will have taken a battering over the autumn and winter months, however now you have a chance to get all that rubbish cleared away, so you can get your garden ready for spring. Try using a rake or broom to get all those broken off branches and leaves together, and be thorough, include any other debris that’s landed in your garden and then just place it in a wood chipper or just place directly into your compost.

It’s A Great Time To Start Pruning and Trimming

The next step is to take a careful look at your bushes and hedges to see what needs a gentle prune and trim. Trim them back carefully, only touch those that have become overgrown and ones which are damaged. If you have trees in your garden and they need a trim, and don’t feel you’re able to tackle it then call in a professional.

Plant Any New Seeds And Plants Now

This is a good time to start planting so check any dates on new plants you’ve bought recently. However, if you have some which you’re not really supposed to plant now, do it anyway if you feel they’re strong enough to survive a few cool days before the warmer temperatures arrive.

Are You Planning On Any Major Changes To Your Garden?

Do you have any plans for your garden, like landscaping, plans that involve radically changing the design of your garden? Draw it on paper first and draw out the trees and plants you intend having in your newly designed garden. It might be a good idea once you’ve got a clearer plan of how you want your garden to look, to discuss it with a professional landscaper/gardener before making any purchases.

Lothian Decking and Fencing – For Quality Landscaping and Beautifully Designed Gardens

If you need advice on your garden spring clean, or if you’re hoping to make some drastic new changes to your garden, why not get in touch with one of our experienced landscapers, we’re always here to help, and if you’re looking to change your garden and you’d prefer to leave it in the hands of a professional we can certainly help you with that, just give us a call today.

Best Time to Install Decking

When should you be installing your decking? We’re going to be looking at this today, and if think that because it’s winter there’s no point in starting now, you couldn’t be more wrong, because it’s the perfect time of year for this. It is actually highly recommended you have your decking installed in winter.

Quieter Times Means Quicker Decking Installations

Why? Well, there are many advantages to having your decking installed in winter. Firstly, builders are usually not as busy, and this means you won’t have to wait as long to have it done. It may also cost a little less at a quieter time of year. Due to the drop-in sales during the winter months, you’ll save some money, so as you can see there are some distinct advantages to having your decking installed in winter.

Dry Seasons With Less Humidity Means Better, More Stable Installations

Winter is a dryer season with less humidity that during the warmer months, therefore the wood will stabiliser much quicker and dry much more evenly. You’ll also find that the wood is less likely to get damaged during the installation, too much sun can cause the wood to crack and warp.

You’re Less Likely To Wait When You Order Decking in Winter

During the rest of the year most people are ordering their decking, and with this in mind, it’s difficult to get someone within a shorter period of time as they are so busy. During winter you’re far more likely to get a quicker, more efficient service, and the time you have to wait to have it done will be very much reduced.

Barbecues and Sitting Out in Spring

So then, if you want to have your decking in time for spring and summer, having your decking installed in winter is an excellent idea. And finally, if you get it done now, if we have early summer warmth in spring, your decking will be ready in time for barbecues, and you’ll be able to sit out in it much earlier without having to wait for it to be installed first.

Lothian Decking and Fencing – For The Best in Wooden Decking Scotland

If we now have you convinced of the distinct advantages of having your decking installed in winter, why not give us a call here at Lothian Decking and Fencing. We’re really proud of our history of consistently good customer service, and we’d more than happy to show you our testimonials and previous work. So, get in touch today and get ahead of the crowd, with gorgeous, quality, beautifully and securely installed wooden decking.

January Gardening Tasks

January is one of the hardest months for your garden, and with the cold weather it’s enough to give you the January blues. However, rather than staying indoors while the weather rages outside, what can you do to keep your garden going till spring arrives?

Leaves and Debris

This is a good time to clear anyway any more leaves and debris that may be lying around. The winter will have brought with it the storms, snow, sleet and gale force winds, so now is a good time, once it’s a bit calmer, to clear away all the rubbish in your garden. And that’ll include any that may have strayed in from other people’s gardens too. Use a rake to clear the debris away or you may prefer to use a broom.

Spring Clean Your Greenhouse

It may seem early for a spring clean but there’s no better time than now to get that greenhouse clean, both inside and out. The roof will have taken a bashing through the storms, so it’s a good time to clear it and give it a good wipe down. If you have tools in the shed that are in need of a good clean, then now is the perfect time to get them ready for use in the spring. Any lawnmowers may need servicing, and now while they’re not in use is a great time to get this done.

Shelter Hour Plants and Offer Them Some Protection From Bad Weather

If you haven’t yet done it, you could cover your new plants with a shelter. This will give them good protection from the strong winds. You could over any shrubs you have in containers into the greenhouse. You can also use netting or a fleece to protect plants from the frost and snow and any trees should be tied and staked to offer protection against wind and rain. Keep winter indoor house plants in a cool dry place and not near any radiators, and remove dead leaves and flowers as you find them.

Lothian Decking and Fencing – For The Best In Garden Knowledge

Taking pride in your garden can be all year round, not just in the warmer months. We believe it’s worthwhile to take care of your garden throughout autumn, winter, spring and summer, and that way you have less to worry about and no back log of backbreaking work to catch up with. If you want a garden that’s easy to care for, you need to work on it all year, so start the year right and get your garden up to speed. And if you have any further questions about what we’ve talked about today, get in touch with us here at Lothian Decking and Fencing, we’re always here to help.

How to Maintain Your Decking This Winter

You have decking, and the question is, when winter comes how can you maintain it? If you leave it, then once spring comes you’ll have a rather unpleasant and unkempt garden decking to deal with. So, winter is an ideal time to keep it in check, so you don’t have any nasty surprises to deal with once the warmer months arrive.

Clean Your Decking

It may seem blindingly obvious, but not everyone realises the importance of cleaning your decking regularly. It’s cost effective and will help your decking last longer. Check your decking for any debris and sweep it all away before cleaning. There may be debris and moss too that will have formed over the decks. You can use a broom to remove it, sweeping firmly to get rid of it. After you’ve completed this exercise, you want to use a hose pipe to clean it down, the pressure washing effect should be good enough to remove any build-up of debris.

The Weather Can Do Its Worst

There’s no hard and fast rule on how often you should clean it, but depending on the weather conditions where you are, some of you may have to clean it more often than others. The weather is always the nasty culprit, and if it’s especially rough and windy where you are, or you get a lot of rain, then it may be necessary and beneficial for you to clean your garden decking more often.

Protect Your Decking

It makes sense that in order to maintain your garden decking you protect it. To do this you can rely on a range of good quality products from hardware stores that will help protect your garden decking. The three main ones are protector, stain and oil.

A protector will help absorb water, so it creates a layer of protection over the wood, you can’t see it, but it will be effective and help your decking avoid wood rot. A stain will come in different colours and will help weather proof your wood. If you decide to use a decking oil, you’ll find this is a product which will replace the natural oils in your decking and give it colour. These layers will help protect your decking against the elements, helping it to look amazing. It’ll also help keep it good condition against knocks and scuffs from animals or humans, so it’ll always look in pristine condition.

Naturally, as you can imagine, winter weather is when your decking is at risk of attack. It’s now in these colder, wetter months that you give it the protection it needs. You could give even more protection once you’ve cleaned it and applied oil/stain/protection. You could apply a protective cover and leave it there till the worst is over, and this will also protect it from ice and snow. Don’t leave it on too long however, or you could leave it at risk of condensation and that can cause its own kind of damage, and it doesn’t look good either. Let the decking have some air, so don’t apply it too tightly or leave it on for too long.

Lothian Decking West Lothian – For Quality Decking That Lasts

Got any questions about what we’ve discussed today, or perhaps your decking has seen better days, if that is the case why not get in touch with us here at Lothian Decking & Fencing? We have years of experience and a finely tuned expertise in all things, garden, fencing and decking. Let us help you keep your decking in pristine condition and find out how we can transform your garden in to an oasis of peace and calm.

Why install a fence this winter?

Once the winter comes you may feel like curling your feet up and relaxing. Going out into your garden for some routine maintenance might be the last thing on your mind. And if your fences need replacing can’t it wait until spring? Today we’re going to be looking at some of the reasons why you should install a fence in winter, you may find it’s the best thing you’ve done since summer.

It’s Much Easier To Erect a Fence In Winter

You might find this surprising, but winter’s the best time to do some landscaping. The ground is hard, and the garden is dormant throughout the winter months so it’s less likely your lawn or plants will be damaged while you install it.

Fill In Those Gaps Left By Plants In Winter and Give Yourself Some Privacy

As you can imagine, the garden looks a little bare in winter and that means prying eyes can see into your garden, much more than they normally would when the trees and plants are in full bloom. Therefore, what better time to have a fence constructed than in winter, filling in all those gaps will help you to feel less exposed during those colder wintry months.

Get Your Fence Erected In Winter and Get It Done Quicker

Fencing contractors work all year round, not just in the spring and summer. As a lot of people aren’t aware of this, they may have less work on during the winter months. If you book your fencing contractor in the colder, less popular months you’ll probably get your fence erected that much quicker.

Get It Done Now and Enjoy It During The Warmer Months To Come

If you get your fence erected now, you’ll be able to enjoy it in the spring. Your fence will be standing strong by this point as it will have had time to settle, and you can start your barbecues, parties and family get togethers in the garden. Rather than erecting it in spring, by doing it early, you’ll be literally laying the ground work for the warmer months.

Lothian Decking and Fencing West Lothian – For Quality Fencing All Year Round

So, have we convinced you enough of the benefits of having your fences erected in winter? If so, why not get in touch with us here at Lothian Decking and Fencing West Lothian and one of our team will be happy to discuss your requirements with you. We’ve erected thousands of fences for satisfied clients and we’d love to work with you.

Benefits of Artificial Grass

Artificial grass has many benefits for the garden and commercial properties. For those of you unaware, and perhaps considering the addition of artificial grass for your garden, then read on while we make you aware of the many benefits that artificial grass can bring.

Aesthetically Pleasing All Year Round

Firstly, artificial grass looks good. And that’s all year round. It doesn’t matter what the weather’s like or what time of year it is, your artificial grass is going to look lush and green all the time. Therefore, on an aesthetic level it’s perfect for that all year-round healthy lawn look.

Say Goodbye to Water Hoses and Chemicals and All That YearlyMaintenance

At the moment, your natural lawn probably requires a certain degree of care and attention. This will include watering during dry spells, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides to keep pests away. You’ll also be mowing regularly to keep your lawn at a reasonable grass length. When you have artificial grass, that is over. When you have artificial grass, you don’t need to mow it, cover it with chemicals or water it even. This means that you save your money and the environment, your utility bills will be less because you’re not using so much water and electricity mowing and watering your garden.

Allergies Are No Longer an Issue With Artificial Grass

If you suffer with allergies, then you’ll know how hard it is going outside in the garden at the height of the pollen season. This may also apply to your children, if you have any, and to any pets even. Hay fever can create havoc during the warmer seasons and make life unbearable. Going outside becomes agony. Not so with artificial grass. You can go outside in the spring and summer and enjoy it in a way that you couldn’t before.

Easy Installation

What you’ll also find is that artificial grass is incredibly easy to install and nowhere near as difficult as you might think. Just a small amount of effort, focus and concentration and you’ll have a gorgeous brand-new lawn that’s fit for purpose.

Lothian Decking and Fencing for Quality Artificial Grass in West Lothian

So, have we convinced you of the benefits of artificial grass yet? We hope so, and if you feel that installation isn’t something you’d like to attempt you can always let us do it for you instead. We’re always here to help, and if you have any questions regarding artificial grass ask us, and we’ll be happy to answer.

Don’t delay, get artificial grass in your garden and kiss goodbye to all that maintenance and save money. You’ll also have a garden that looks amazing throughout the year, one that looks green, lush and healthy all the time, a garden you’ll be more than happy to spend time in.

How to Maintain Your Garden Fencing

It’s all very well getting that garden fencing up, but what happens once it’s in place? You need to keep it maintained or otherwise it won’t last, especially with autumn upon us and winter only a few months away. In our post this week we’re going to be talking about how to maintain your garden fencing, and hopefully you’ll be able to use them on your own fencing and keep it in excellent condition.

What is your garden fencing made of?

Wood will need a lot of maintenance because it’s susceptible to rot and permanent damage therefore it’s best to seal and stain your wooden fencing. If you’re fencing is made from vinyl it may not need as much work to maintain it, but it may not look quite as authentic as wooden garden fencing. You’ll need to learn how to take care of your wooden fencing if it’s wood and learn how to protect it from pests and weather damage. That way your wooden fencing will last a long time.

Keeping your wooden garden fencing stained and sealed

Staining and sealing deserves another mention here due to its importance in the upkeep of wooden garden fencing. You may decide not to paint your fences and leave them natural, if you do make sure you seal them so they have some protection against the elements. If you stain them too you’ll given them some colour, but a more natural wooden feel. If you live in an area where the weather is particularly bad in winter it’s probably a good idea to seal and stain your wooden fencing a little more often. You’ll know when it looks like it needs another coating by how easily water soaks into it.

Equipment

It’s a good idea and will make things much easier in the long run if you make sure you have all the things you need to maintain your garden fencing. You’ll need a hose or a power washer to clean your fencing, and for staining and sealing, protective sheets, wood stain and some brushes, and of course your stain and seal.

Try treating termite infestation with natural insecticide

We mentioned pests earlier on, what we meant was termites and these can be very destructive. Softwoods are particular susceptible and unfortunately it is softwoods which are used for most garden fencing. You can use a professional service to rid your fences of it if you prefer, but you can treat the fencing yourself. Try using borax, this is a natural insecticide and much safer to use than other chemical treatments. You should keep it away from children and pets just to be on the safe side, however, borax is probably a safer than anything else under your kitchen sink.

Lothian Decking and Fencing - or quality garden fencing

If you need any advice on what we’ve discussed today or you want to order quality fencing, then get in touch with us here at Lothian Decking and Fencing. We’re always happy to help and you’re guaranteed a friendly, professional and helpful response.

Garden Fencing: Boundaries and Planning

We're going to be talking about garden fencing and planning, we feel this is a useful topic and of benefit to our readers. It's a quick guide to give you a better idea of what you can and can't do, and when you should seek advice from a professional. We hope you find it useful.

Is it necessary to fence your boundaries on you own land?

To find the answer it may be of use to look to your property titles first, you will find these with the Land Registry. If your land is unregistered then you will find your answer in the deeds.

If you have animal stock, such as cows and sheep, there is a legal obligation to fence off the land. It is necessary to fence off animals in this way so as to protect people's safety.

Other than that, there is no common law requirement or statutory legal requirements to erect a boundary to your land, especially if it does not say this in the property's deeds. Naturally however it is a good idea to have something that denotes ownership of the land, even if you don't have livestock. For instance, if you have a dog, or any kind of domestic pet it will need to be contained within the boundaries of your property.

Who Owns Garden Fencing?

People often ask whether the fence on the left-hand side of a property is owned by the house owner. You can see which boundary fence belongs to who by looking out for what's known as T marks. This T mark will be drawn on the side of the property which they own and are therefore responsible for that boundary fence.

However, the left side of the fence ownership, if you're viewing it from the street, is not true unless you live in a row of terraced houses, but owners at the far right of the terrace, at the end, will be responsible for all of their fences and not just the ones on the left-hand side.

Coming back to the T mark, even though a T mark will indicate that a fence belongs to the property who will have responsibility for maintenance and erection of that boundary, if it was erected by the neighbouring property, then they will have ownership, even if the deeds dictate that you own it.

Sometimes a T mark may show a H instead of a T, this symbolises two Ts and means that the responsibility of a particular boundary is shared between two properties. It is always best to keep lines of communication open with your neighbours and be aware of who owns which boundary, and hopefully you can come to an amicable agreement of who does what.

Whoever owns which boundary, as we've seen today, it’s not always as cut and dried as we'd like it to be. However, what is important is that you talk to your neighbours and always be in agreement about who does what and who is responsible for their side of the fence. Also important is to check the Land Registry or your property's deeds.

First Class Garden Fencing

If there's anything you'd like to ask us about the garden fencing on your property, then get in touch with us here at Lothian Decking & Fencing in West Lothian, we'll be happy to help.

Garden Decking Maintenance Over Summer

Once you’ve bought your garden decking and then installed it you may think the hard work is over and you can simply enjoy it, and while this is mostly true, you will need to carry out a certain amount of maintenance. This will be in the form of treating it and cleaning it. In this post, we’re going to be talking about how you can go about doing this, so you can maintain your decking’s attractive appearance and improve its longevity.

Old Treatments or Stains Can Be Removed With a Good Power Wash

Firstly, has your decking been treated with a stain, oil or any type of treatment? If it’s wood then your decking will definitely need to be treated so it doesn’t turn colour. If it is a little silver or grey already, or if it looks a little dry, then it’s probably never been treated or it’s been a while. This could be decking you’ve inherited with the property you’ve bought – it may also be peeling or flaking and this could be due to a coloured finish which is now a little old. What you can do is power wash your decking to remove any old stain or finish and any mould or algae. Use water and don’t try using a detergent as this could harm the wood. Let it dry once you’ve finished and then you can treat it again anew.

Always Keep Your Decking Free of Debris

One of the most important things to get you started is to keep debris off it as often as possible. Debris is usually things like pollen, which in itself can cause misery with allergies. Then it’s dirt, dust, leaves and sand. If it builds up then you have a film of dirt that can rise up when it’s windy, so get a soft broom and sweep now and again so you’re on top of it.

Garden Decking Décor Update

Once you’ve given your decking a clean, whether it was a power wash or a simple brushing, followed by new round of treatment, you can then think about the aesthetics. Depending on the season, you’ll probably have a different kind of décor for the time of year. You can make it festive nearer Christmas, more colourful and fresh in summer, and in spring perhaps a few flowers to celebrate the arrival of new plants and flowers.

Garden Decking Specialists

Do you need garden decking installed? Contact us, because we’re not just experts in decking we’re also very knowledgeable about fencing too, so give us a call.

Why Invest in Artificial Turf This Summer?

Are you wondering whether artificial turf is right for you this summer? If you are then let us spend some time convincing you of its benefits. We know how great artificial turf is and that’s why we sell it, we’ve seen how it’s been able to transform people’s gardens and make gardening a much lower maintenance thing all round. This means there’s more time for you to spend outdoors entertaining friends and family than having to care for natural grass. Read on to discover how artificial grass could make your life a whole lot easier.

Hayfever

If you suffer from this debilitating condition then you’ll only know too well how much of a nightmare it can be when you go outdoors. It really does mean less time out in the sunshine and less time outside in the garden with friends. Artificial grass will pretty much eliminate all that for you, if your main allergies are grass related then say goodbye to your natural lawn and a big hello to artificial grass. You’ll be able to spend time out in the summer without sneezing and having your eyes water, those awful symptoms which make going out in the garden such a chore.

Artificial Grass, Versatile and Natural Looking

It’s true that in the past artificial grass has had a bad rap, and before more sophisticated materials were used, it was pretty awful. In fact, it was easy to identify as artificial grass because it looked so fake an unnatural. That’s not the case anymore because artificial grass is come a long way. Not only is it better made, there are different varieties to choose from, making it versatile as well as durable. It’s aesthetically pleasing in an authentic way, making your grass lawn look real, with lush looking green grass throughout the year – without any of the hard work.

Little to No Maintenance

Yes, there’s little to no maintenance with artificial grass, no herbicides and no pesticides, no mowing and no watering, so it’s kind to your pocket, the environment and to your nose! If there are any hose pipe bans this summer, you won’t have to worry about it because your garden won’t need watering. All it will need is the occasional brushing and wiping over with a damp towel.

Pets are Going to Love It

If you have pets, then don’t worry, any solids can be picked up from the surface and liquids will drain away beneath.

Children won’t be bringing the half the garden in with them!

If you have children, then perhaps you’re tired of them bringing in grass and mud from the garden, leaving your house muddy mess, with artificial grass you can forget that. What you’ll find is that there’ll be no more puddles, no more patches, no more grassy carpet, your children can play outside and come in without half the garden attached to them!

Artificial grass has advanced exponentially

Artificial grass has had such a bad rap in the past, but it’s come on in leaps and bounds since then become the favourite for many domestic as well as commercial properties. It’s also popular indoors as well as outdoors, but for summer you’ll find it’s the perfect outdoor solution for hay-fever sufferers and the perfect host for exuberant children and happy bouncy pets!

Lothian Decking and Fencing for helping to make your garden perfect

If you’re looking to change your garden for the better, you’re interested in artificial grass or any other garden related issue, then why not get in touch, one of our team will be more than happy to help you.

Garden Decking Ideas

Do you have garden decking? It may be something you already have, or something you are considering investing in. Garden decking is a great way of relaxing and entertaining outdoors during the summer months. It’s also good for increasing the value of your property, decking can really swing the balance if someone is looking to buy. As part of the fixtures and fittings, decking gives that extra oomph that another similar property won’t have.

Jazzing up the garden decking

If you want to make your decking look that little bit more interesting, how can you do it? Whether it’s to make it more interesting to sell or purely for your own pleasure, we’ve come up with some ideas which may help jazz up your garden decking. If you’re interested in giving your garden decking a makeover then read on to find out how.

Edging

This is edging around your decking that’s made from either brick or gravel. You’ll just need a little extra decking and some coloured gravel. Just add some weed membrane so you won’t have any weeds come through, and you’ll have a really fabulous looking professional finish.

Planters

Rather than just have wooden boards, why not have an area within your decking where you can place either an herb garden or plants. A little greenery can make the decking seem less boring and vanilla, adding a little nature and an interesting talking point.

Seating

Obviously, you’ll be considering seating for your decking, but have you considered matching seating? You can make it out of the same decking boards you used to create your garden decking and create storage areas within it at the same time. With raised decking, you can have built in seating with storage beneath. This will also help to keep clutter to a minimum.

Lights – You can easily provide lighting to your decking without it having to be a complicated affair. It can help create mood and ambience to evening entertainment. You could have lighting fitted to the decking or have it with lights already fitted, some decking tiles come with pre-fitted lighting. This has the ability to make your decking look a little more expensive and high end.

Drinks - How about adding a drinks cooler, for the ultimate in summer entertainment? You could use simple materials to create it, such as using outdoor guttering, or any material that allows for drainage and fits in within the decking boards. It’ll need to be strong enough to add ice and bottles, but it’ll be a really interesting addition to entertaining guests.

Handrails

Your decking will certainly have a polished look if you have handrails around it. You can opt for glass and metal for a more industrial, minimal look or try something fun like rope. Whatever you use, it’ll add extra style to your decking.

If you are looking to install garden decking get in touch with us here at Lothian Decking & Fencing and we’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Security Garden Fencing

Depending on where you live, whether it’s for your home or a commercial property, security fencing is going to be of great importance to you. You should consider security throughout the entire property, but naturally the perimeters are going to be worthy of a little more attention.

Spend time considering what type of fencing will do the job best

Security fencing can be a good deterrent to word-be burglars and help protect your property from criminals. By spending time considering the type of fencing you have on the perimeters of your property, you may create a useful and effective way of stopping anyone from breaking in.

Metal security fencing – There are types of metal security fencing, steel, bow top and steel palisade. Wire mesh and steel palisade offer higher security but all three are useful.

High security fencing is good for all kinds of different property

If you’re going for medium and high security fencing then you’ll need to consider the kind of threats your property will face before deciding on what type to aim for. As we’ve already mentioned, wire mesh and steel palisade offer the best security, they’re good for factories, warehouses, prisons and airports, so they’re known for being effective.

The best obstacle and deterrent

They can help to create a hard to breach obstacle in the way of criminals, they’re tough to climb or get past and look very imposing. This type of fencing is good as a first line of defence, and are a visual threat to anyone who’s considering breaking and entering. The type of fencing we’ve discussed so far is designed specifically as a barricade against forced entry. They’re high and it can be too dangerous for anyone to attempt at climbing it.

If they can’t climb it they may try to break through it, however the time it takes to break through such sturdy fencing is enough time for them to be discovered, or for your security team to apprehend them, and enough time to for you to call the police.

CCTV and electronic access control can support your high security fencing

Metal is a sturdy material and can easily stand up to brute force, but if you feel security fencing isn’t enough on its own, you could invest in CCTV cameras and electronic access control. Never forget however, that a good quality steel fence will always provide solid foundation against first attempts to get through the perimeters of your property.

In summary then, have high security fencing as a deterrent and follow it through with other security measures

As we’ve already seen, the visual impact of a good quality high security fence is enough to deter any criminals from attempting a break in, and even in the unlikely event they manage to break through, after the time it’s taken for them to get over or through the fencing, any other security measures you’ve taken will catch them before they get any further. Other security measures we’ve discussed might be CCTV cameras and electronic access control.

If you’re after high security fencing for the parameters of your property, get in touch with us here at Lothian Decking & Fencing and we’ll be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Why Choose Wooden Decking?

If you’re investing in some decking, then you’re probably going to choose wood simply because it’s what we most associate with garden decking. There are different types of wooden decking such as hardwood or softwood, and you can also have PVC if you prefer. We’re going to be talking about wooden decking in this post and convince you of its virtues, and why it’s always such an excellent choice for your home.

You’ve already decided to have garden decking, and the reasons you’ve chosen to have it is probably because it provides such a versatile and elegant way to entertain, providing unique seating space and an area to relax. You can even have a pool or hot tub area, so you can loosen up in style at the end of a busy day.

What are the advantages of wooden decking?

Keep in mind that wood is a natural material, yes stating the obvious, but this natural occurring material is a sustainable resource and so eco-friendly, much more so than manmade decking.

Wood – a unique, beautiful material to work with

What you’ll also find is that there’s no two pieces of wood the same, each sharing its own unique set of patterns, colour and hue. You’ll also be pleased to know that wooden decking is a lot cheaper than PVC or composite decking. Of course, wood will need some tender loving care as it can be susceptible to cracking, warping and rot. However, a little care and attention over which type of wood you purchase should help, so spend some time choosing between soft and hardwood.

Hardwood – Hardwood is either elm, teak, oak, maple, birch or cherry, and all of these are renowned for their density, which in turn makes them extremely durable. They can last for over 20 years, so you certainly get your money’s worth if you buy garden decking made from a hardwood. The only downside is that they are a little more expensive than softwood, although you may consider this a worthy investment in terms of what you get back.

Softwood – Softwood consists of spruce, pine and cedar and they are all far less dense than hardwoods. They come from coniferous trees and can last as long as hardwoods as long as they’re treated first. This will usually consist of a preservative that is consistent with British Standards EN 335.

Making an informed decision and adding value to your property

Always make an informed decision before you buy so that when you do come to purchase your garden decking, you’re choosing something you really love, and something that you’re going to get years of pleasure from. It’s also part of the fixtures and fittings and should add value to your property, so make sure you’ve made a sensible decision over the materials you’re going to use. For the best results possible, and for a long-lasting, strong garden decking, make sure you use a professional to install it, and that way it’ll last a lifetime.

Contact us here at Lothian Fencing and Decking if you have any further questions about what we’ve talked about today. Our professional team are always on hand to help, and we’d be happy to take you through our versatile range of decking and install it for you so you get a good fit. Call us today.

5 Signs That You Need New Fencing

A broken garden fence is usually a good sign that it needs replacing, however there may be more subtle signs that you’re in need of new fences and that’s what we’re going to be discussing today. Yes, most fencing lasts a lifetime, but sometimes you’ll be unlucky and have some that don’t, and you’ll need to replace it. Naturally, it helps if you take good care of your fencing and regularly maintain it, but what signs should you be looking out for that scream replace me?

Leaning

A leaning fence is one of the most visible signs of damage and is usually caused by structural weakness. This can be due to poor weather conditions such as rain and wind, which are the most likely culprits. If it’s not too bad, the lean can be repaired with minor adjustments, however if it’s too bad, then it may be that the whole of the fence needs to be replaced.

Rot

There can be a number of reasons why a fence rots quickly, it could be because it’s preservatives have stopped working, and once these have lost their power to resist rot then they’ll decay even faster. Depending on how much the decay has spread it may be worthwhile to replace it with new fencing, rather than just one or two parts replaced with new panels.

Damage

Repeated damage is also a sure-fire way of seeing the end to your fence. This can be caused by anything from football, children and animals. Minor repairs can be administered over time, but there’s only so long you can continue to repair before the fence is beyond help.

Loose ‘Parts’

You’ll find that the older your fence gets the more repairs it needs as bits of the fence and much needed fasteners fall off, for whatever reason, and make it hard to stay erect.

Colour

Your fencing can lose colour over time and you might not be too overly bothered about this as long as your fencing continues to perform. However, should you decide to sell your property in the future, you may feel it’s worth the effort to spruce up the property with a few layers of paint or to completely replace it. This may be more urgent if the fence is subjected to strong sunlight which could lead to splitting and fracturing.

Lothian Fencing & Decking – Garden Fencing Experts

If you need any further help with fencing advice, then please do get in touch with us here at Lothian Fencing & Decking where one of our professional team will be more than happy to help you.

Your Guide to Garden Decking Design

Are you thinking of having some garden decking installed? It’s wise move, because not only will you be able to spend many years enjoying it along with your friends and family, you’ll also increase the value of your property.

We’re going to be looking at garden decking design, and we’re hoping give you some tips on how to make it look as perfect as you want it too.

Garden Decking Patterns

Just the simple way you lay out your wood can make a difference to your garden. When planning your decking, take a look around and see what it is you’d like to change or improve about the way it looks. If you have some areas which are deprived of space, why not take the attention away from that and use narrow bands of hardwood which leads out on to the horizon. Hardwood is a great choice as it can really set the scene for your garden, and by changing the direction in which the bands of wood go, you can really create a beautiful scene, by going either diagonally or at perpendicular intervals.

Garden Decking Structure

A good structure is essential and if well made can carry the weight of planters and garden furniture. It can hide things too, such as lighting cables and irrigation pipes, so while everything is beautifully laid out on the top, all the stuff that helps to make it work is underneath where it can’t be seen. If you want to have handrails, planters, vases, furniture and perhaps some cooking equipment on your decking, then making sure the structure is strong enough is important. Discuss this with your builder/designer.

Garden Decking Steps

Consider some steps as part of your decking, it’s a great feature and if you install lighting beneath, then it creates a really gorgeous effect in the evening. If you have enough space you could even consider creating deeper steps and adding plants to the side, so you create a beautifully scented and colourful scene.

Garden Decking Lighting

Use lighting carefully so it adds drama and excitement at night and can remain shut off during the day so they don’t distract from the design of your decking. LED strips are good because they’re really effective for your garden in the evening and they don’t create glare.

Mixing Materials

Mixing a different materials with the wood of your decking is a great idea. You can balance contemporary designs with a more old fashioned look, and create a warm, intimate space. Stone is one material you could consider, it’s a material that blends in well with decking to form an exciting and vibrant scene.

Mixing materials – Hardwoods and Softwoods

You can also mix woods together to create strong, durable garden decking. You also create different patterns and shades, and this can make for an interesting dynamic and a great talking point.

Lothian Fencing & Decking – Quality Garden Decking

Are you looking to create a scene in your garden? If you’re looking to create a stunning view of the landscape from your garden and you want garden decking, then get in touch with us here at Lothian Fencing & Decking. We can talk you through your many choices and help to create something dynamic, an area which you’ll turn to again and again when you want to entertain, or simply sit outdoors when you need to relax.

Tips to Choose the Right Garden Fencing

Today we’re looking at choosing the right garden fencing for your property. So, if you have this current dilemma at the beginning of a new year, then you’ve struck gold, because that’s what we’re going to be talking about today.

Garden Fencing - What Are Your Needs?

Any fencing you choose needs to fit in with your lifestyle and the needs of your family, and of course the shape and design of your garden. When choosing something suitable you’ll also have to think about how much maintenance it’s going to need, and what type of restrictions there might be regarding things such as height. If you’re hiring someone to put up the fencing, then you’ll have to let them know if there are height restrictions.

Why do you need new garden fencing?

When deciding on which type of fencing to invest in, ask yourself why you need a fence in the first place. This may help you to think about what your fence needs to do, what its purpose is. You may want a combination of security and privacy, visual appeal, or just to make it safe for children and pets.

What is Your Fence For?

Keep in mind that wherever your fencing goes, whether it’s front or back, you’ll need to make it visually appealing enough so that it attracts buyers should you decide to sell in the future. If you have a 6ft fence, they may look at it and think, what are they hiding?

Materials

The materials you use will have some visual as well as functional impact. If you’re looking for privacy then wood is probably the best material for your fencing, as well as giving privacy, wood is also a strong material that will withstand inclement weather well, as long as it’s been treated first. Vinyl fencing panels may be too far apart to offer much in the way of privacy, but if you’re not too bothered about that, and it’s not your priority, then vinyl might be perfect. Aluminium is great too, offering a minimalist look that’s open and clean.

If you want to keep pets and children on your side of the garden, any material will do. However, with pets in mind, you may want to find something that’s capable of stopping dogs from digging their way out, or jumping over them.

Maintenance

We discussed wooden fencing as a potential material for privacy earlier, but wood does require a certain amount of maintenance. It’ll need painting and staining every few years or so, but for all the time you have to spend on it, you’ll get it back when you increase the value of your property. Never underestimate curb appeal. If you’re not keen on maintenance, then perhaps vinyl or aluminium is a better choice.

Check WithYour Local Authority

Always take into account what rules govern your area regarding fence height. Get in touch with the planning office at your local authority so you get it right first time. That last thing you need is to have to take it down and erect another one.

If you have any further questions regarding garden fencing, do get in touch, we’re here to help.

5 Common Decking Problems & Solutions

1 Slippery Decking

Make sure you treat your garden decking so it won’t be slippery. Using anti-slip decking paint and varnish will help, however these may deteriorate over time and both flake and peel. You may be better off treating your decking with anti-slip decking oil.

2 Blackened Decking

The winter season can cause real problems for your garden decking and blackening of the wood is one of them. It’s usually caused by fungus on wet wood. You need to act quickly if you see this happening. Buy yourself a good quality mould and mildew cleaner and this should help clean the black stains away from your decking. This is a strong fungicidal wash which is made specifically to kill off fungi, mildew, mould, and of course, algae. It’s great for outdoor wooden doors too and sheds, fences and windows.

3 Faded Decking

To bring back the natural colour of your garden decking try using a good quality biodegradable cleaner which will help restore your decking to its former glory. Remove the cleaner from the decking once 20 minutes have elapsed by using a brush and water. If the staining is severe you may need to do it a few times and clean it over and over again, it will be worth it in the end.

4 Dirty Decking

Use a good quality garden decking and patio cleaner that will be specifically designed to remove grime and dirt. It will also help with mould, algae and mildew. Apply a quality decking oil after so you’ll give your decking some protection afterwards.

5 Warped Decking

If you’ve not had the time to take care of your garden decking for a while, then when you come back to it, you may have noticed that it’s slightly bowed. This can happen when it’s not been treated to cope with the vagaries of the weather.

You could try straightening them, but if this doesn’t work, then try replacing the individually warped boards. You can also fill in holes and gaps where rot may have started to take hold by using a good quality wood filling product. Don’t use it for really big gaps and holes as it won’t be strong enough, this will involve a bigger job of actually replacing the boards.

Lothian Fencing & Decking – For All Your Garden Decking Needs

If you have any further queries about garden decking care, or if you’re concerned about anything about fencing or decking, get in touch and one of our team will be more than happy to help.

Considerations When Erecting Garden Fencing

If you’re considering erecting garden fencing around the perimeters of your property, whether domestic or commercial there is much to think about. However, fencing can be cheap and easy to maintain and can easily fit into your environment. Chosen carefully, a fence around your garden can be built to last and be both reliable and secure.

How High Should You Go?

Before you erect garden fencing, think of the neighbours. There are rules for residential areas, and these are that your fence should not be any higher than 6ft. It can be even less than that for a front garden or yard with a limit of 4ft.

Let’s Talk Garden Fence Boundaries

A few inches outside your boundary could cause conflict with your neighbours, if you encroach someone else’s land you could land yourself in trouble. It can depend on the type of neighbours you have, but some may not always be so generous if your fence has crept into their garden.

Treating Your Fence and Keeping it in Good Condition

So now you’ve gone over the boundaries, the height of your garden fencing and now everyone is happy. So what next? What you need to consider now is what sort of treatment if any your fence will need to keep it in good condition. If your fence is wooden, as it often is, then you’ll need to preserve and stain it in advance. There are a number of different treatments available, so choose one which will best suit the fence you’ve chosen. If you’re going to paint over it, it will need upkeep, and repainting every few years.

Garden Fencing Design

You want your garden fencing to fit in with the rest of your property. You want the design, colour, height and whatever panelling it has to look good and to fit seamlessly in with the rest of the area in which you live.

Try to find garden fencing that fits in terms of design, height and colour, you don’t want it to be too much of an eyesore. For instance, if you have a smaller garden go for something smaller and if you have large garden again, find a larger fence which fits in with the overall size and shape of your property.

Lothian Fencing & Decking – First Class Fencing

Beautiful looking garden fencing will help you to keep your garden neat, set boundaries, and give a seamless finish to where your property ends. If you check the size, shape and height of your garden fencing, making sure it doesn’t upset the neighbours and fits in with your environment, then you shouldn’t get any nasty surprises somewhere down the line.

Why not get in touch with us here at Lothian Fencing and Decking, and let one of our professional team members reassure you on any further questions you may have on erecting garden fencing.