Garden decks are a wonderful way to help you enjoy your garden. They can make an outdoor area so much more versatile – decks can easily be fitted over uneven ground, or on a surface that is not very stable, as they can use supports to lift them up. Many UK homes makes use of decks and in many cases, they are replacing patios as a more modern option. The timber decking you choose is going to be of the utmost importance, because it will dictate the quality and appearance of your decking.
When you are thinking about the type of timber to choose, there are lots of different things to think about. Here are some of your key considerations during the process:
- Grip. You should choose decking boards that are ridged, to allow for better grip when walking on a deck – unless you are using ThermoWood decking, which is treated and has better grip built in. Make sure the decking material you choose is going to be safe for you and your family.
- Easy of fitting. You could use decking boards, or you could use a decking kit if you want to fit the decking yourself and do it easily. A decking kit will come with everything you need, including the boards and the railings and all of the fittings. However, it will probably be cheaper to buy the boards, so if you are more confident, think carefully about this option.
- Appearance. Timber decking comes with so many different types of wood option, and different finishes. Some will be treated, and stained or varnished, whereas others will come as natural wood. Make sure you know what kind of finish you would like so you can begin to envisage your deck.
- Price. This is an important factor – decks aren’t the cheapest of things. By buying decking boards on the internet, you will be able to save yourself a lot of money. Some companies will even be able to send you out a sample so you can try the decking out for yourself.
If you are thinking about getting a new deck, these are some of the reasons why it is going to be a great idea:
- Better use of your outdoor space. Get more use out of your garden – this is something that so many people want.
- Bringing the indoors, outdoors. Fit your deck adjacent to your house and add in some bi fold doors or sliding doors. This will help to blend the two areas together.
- Appearance. Your home will look more attractive and a well fitted deck could even help to increase its value.
- Longevity. You will get lots of usage out of your decking, especially if you are careful to choose high quality boards.
Choosing your timber decking boards
These are some of the boards you can choose:
- Swedish redwood pine
- Oak
- English larch
- Siberian larch
- Yellow balau tropical hardwood
- ThermoWood – this is available smooth or grooved and is heat treated to give it more stability. Heat treatment is more beneficial than chemical treatment.