Deck Contractors Stoke

Adding an area of Decking to a garden is a popular option. Decking provides a lighter and often quicker solution to anyone who wants to add a flat, level patio surface to their garden. Decking can also be a lot more attractive than concrete slabs or paving stones, and will give your garden a softer and warmer feel.

Wooden decking will never last as long as concrete or brick paving, but if planned and treated well whilst being constructed, and if regular maintenance is carried out, a well built deck can look brilliant for many years.

As when choosing any wood which will be subject to the constant effects of wind and weather, choosing the right decking materials will mean the difference between having a beautiful deck for many years and having a rapidly deteriorating deck for a few years. Any wood which will have to stand up to constant wetting and drying out that decking has to, needs to be properly treated.

Choose timber which has been pressure-treated if you can possibly afford it. Pressure-treated timber has had preservative forced into the grain by specialist machinery directly after it was cut. This provides the best possible protection and will last longer as a result. A cheaper, but less long-lasting, alternative is to treat the timber yourself using paint on preservative. If you choose this option, make sure to follow the manufacturers instructions concerning drying times and number of coats needed. In particular, make sure than any sections of the wood which will be buried (the supporting legs, etc) get at least two coats of preservative, including on the cut end.

There are many different types of wood available for decking, but your choice will probably be dictated by colour and price. If you can afford it, a hardwood is usually the best option for decking material. Softwood is cheaper and easier to work with, but it will usually need more care over the years. Expect to pay at least twice as much for hardwood as you would for softwood decking material.

Pine – One of the most common softwood decking materials available. Pine is easy to work with and cheap, but does have a very visable grain.

Red Cedar – A very attractive softwood with a pleasant smell. Cedar is durable but does mark easily and is inclined to split.

Spruce – Another attractive straight-grained softwood. Spruce is generally only suitable for those parts of the deck which are above ground.

Larch – Not the most popular softwood decking material. Larch can be expensive and have lots of knots in the wood.

Teak – A very expensive, but beautiful mid-brown hardwood. Teak is extremely durable and hard-wearing.

Oak – Very durable and long lasting, but also very expensive when compared to something like Pine or Cedar.

Opepe – A popular hardwood which is cheaper than most hardwood types, whilst still being durable and attractive.

The choice b...