Decking fixtures and fittings

Corrosion resistant fixings should be used when building a structure outdoors, such as decking. This will prevent rusting and the weakening of the decking over the years.

Screws are better than nails for fixing together your garden decking as they are more secure and enable boards to be lifted easily, if necessary for mainenance or repair. The screws should be at least 3 times the size of the thickness of the timber boards and positioned at least 25mm away from the edges of the decking, also countersunk below the decking surface to avoid creating a hazard. All fixing points near to the edge of the decking boards must be pre drilled in order to avoid splitting the boards.

Other fixtures and fittings includings bolts, joist hangers and deck clips should also be made of similar rust resistant metal to avoid corrosion.

Are decking boards slippery in wet weather?

The main factor in preventing your decking boards from becoming slippery is to make sure that the surface of the boards are kept clean. You must make sure that you regularly remove any mildew, algae and mosses from the surface of the boards as otherwise they are likely to cause your decking to become very slippery.

As mentioned in my previous post about ‘looking after your garden decking’, you should make sure that you regularly clean your decking with a firm broom. You should also consider pressure washing the timber yearly to make sure that it is thoroughly cleaned. Use a timber decking treatment to help prevent algae and mosses from growing on your deck boards.

Looking after your garden decking

You should consider regularly brushing your decking with a firm broom throughout the year in order to keep your garden decking clean and in top condition. It is also advisable to clean the deck boards with a pressure washer once a year and then treat the boards with a timber decking treatment as mentioned previously, to make your decking look as good as new.

If you want to keep the original colour of your decking without using a timber stain, you will need to coat the timber with a clear water repellent coating in order to help prevent fading.

Decking – Softwood or Hardwood?

The names hardwood and softwood are terms which are used to describe the species of a wood. Hardwoods come from broad leaved trees and softwood is from evergreen trees. The terms do not relate at all to how hard the wood actually is.

There are many types of wood that would be suitable for decking. The main factor that is important for consideration when using wood outdoors is that it can resist fungal decay.

Most deck boards are made from pressure treated softwoods as this is more readily available, easy to work with and cost effective. Hardwood decking is more expensive however comes in a range of colours.

Useful decking construction tips

To ensure your decking provides you with many years of service, you should consider the following tips:

1. Fixtures and Fittings - Make sure all screws are weather resistant and that you use galvanised nails and bolts. These types of fixings will ensure that your decking is kept free from discolouration from rust.

2. Drilling Pilot Holes - It is useful to drill pilot holes for your fasteners especially if drilling near the edge of your deck boards.

3. Spacing Decking Boards - Timber decking boards need to be spaced evenly about 3-5mm apart. This will ensure there is room for any natural movement of the timber as it takes on, or loses moisture.

4. End Coat Preservative - Use an end coat preservative on all saw cuts and drill holes.

Selecting a deck board pattern

There are various ways and directions that decking boards can be laid. The only consideration that you need to take into account when making the decision as to which way to lay the boards, is that of drainage. The Checkboard decking pattern tends to hinder drainage and is therefore likely to require more maintenance than other decking designs. The most common deck board patterns include:

Parallel 90 or 45 Degree Decking



Chevron Decking

Checkaboard Decking

Framed Diagonal Decking

Please visit my previous blog post for advice about building garden decking.

Garden Decking Safety

For decking which is raised off the ground, a barrier or rail of some form should be placed around the edge of the decking for safety purposes particularly if it is to be used by children or the elderly. Balustrades or parapets can both act as a safety barrier. The height of the parapet depends on how high the decking is from ground level.

• For decking that is up to 600mm off the ground a parapet of height - 900mm should be constructed.
• For all decking above 600mm a parapet of height - 1100mm should be constructed.
  

For fairly low level decking, lattice panels, planters or a decorative rail can also be used.

Choosing between grooved or smooth decking boards

Before purchasing garden decking you need to decide whether you want to get smooth or grooved garden decking boards. The main difference between these two types of decking board is that grooved decking boards are said to be less slippery than the plain smooth timber boards, especially when wet. Although it is not essential to have grooved decking boards for the main decking area, it is recommended that grooved boards are used for decking steps, making them less slippery and therefore less dangerous.

Smooth Decking Boards

Grooved Decking Boards

If you want to try something different to the normal 'timber' decking boards, there is a decking product currently on the market called Deck Grip which is made from fibre glass and is slip resistant.

The hidden decking fastener = Easy Installation

The Hidden Decking Fastener has incredibly strong holding powers and is ideal for easy installation of garden decking. It can be used with many types of decking including: hardwood, composite and synthetic. The fastener enables installation of decking without the need for unsightly face screws. No pre drilling is required when using this clip making the installation of decking quick and easy.

The shape of the decking fastener enables it to grab both sides of the decking (as shown above). It holds the decking down like a miniature spring and keeps the deck boards tight. The clip works with deck boards that have either pre grooved or biscuit jointer slots.

Planning your decking (futher advice)

Step Three - Decking steps

The first step when planning out decking steps is to measure the distance between ground level and the decking height. You will then need to make a decision about the number of steps required to lead up to the decking and whether a rail is required. The rise of each step (vertical distance) should be no more than seven and a half inches (seven inches is a common height) which will avoid making the steps too steep. The width of the tread of each step should be at least ten inches. If you decide to use a smaller sized tread width for your decking steps, you risk making your decking steps dangerous. You will also need to consider how wide you need the steps to be. A common size for the width of decking steps is 3 foot.

Many companies selling deck boards also sell decking step packs. Some of these packs contain everything you need to make your decking steps, whereas others just contain the stair stringers which are the side panels of the steps and give you the height and depth of each step, you then just need to put a wooden board on each flat part for each step as shown below.

Planning your garden decking

First step - Deciding the shape and pattern of your decking.

Decking can be made to be any size and shape you wish, however the more complicated you make the shape and pattern of it, the more difficult it will be to build and it is likely to require more deck boards and other building materials. There are however simple changes that can be made to the shape of the decking, for example an angled corner or 45 degree decking pattern. To make your decking more attractive you could also add a pergola or trellis to one side.


Second step - Deciding on the height of your decking.

When building decking right outside your back door, you should make sure that the decking is no further than two inches away from the bottom of your back door. Steps should always be placed at the edge of the decking leading to the ground, especially if there is a big drop. Deck lights can be purchased to illuminate steps making them safer to use on darker nights. Decks can also be built on multiple levels which is useful if you have a sloping garden. You must remember however that if your decking is more than two foot off the ground then the deck posts should be braced to make the decking stronger and therefore prevent swaying.


See my next post for more things to consider when planning your garden decking.

Decking accessories

There are a wide range of garden decking accessories available on the market. These can be added to your garden decking to make it stand out more and look more attractive. Some of these accessories can also make your decking more user friendly especially if you have raised deck boards with steps. Common decking accessories include:

Hand rails
Base rails
Deck posts
Deck joists
Roman columns
Newel caps
Newel posts
Deck bearers
Trellis panels

For more information about common decking accessories and others available please visit the following websites:

• www.all-diy.co.uk/decking
• www.decking-fencing-accessories.co.uk
• www.homeandgardengifts.co.uk/Garden/Decking
  

Ideal furniture for your garden decking

There is a huge variety of garden furniture currently available on the internet. The most popular furniture purchased for use with garden decking includes: Wooden tables, chairs, stools, benches, planters and heaters. There are many different styles of each of these products to choose from to meet each gardens requirements.

The following websites are some of the best sites that sell decking and deck furniture:

Garden Oasis

Buy Decking Direct

Riverside Garden Centre

Faraway Furniture

When your garden decking furniture is not in use for a long period of time for example over the winter months, you may find it beneficial to store your furniture in something like a garden shed or garage to protect the wood from the frost.

Decking Solar Lights

Following my previous post about decking lighting I will now look specifically at the best types of solar powered decking lights which avoids making decisions as to where the wires would be best placed.

The solar light unit above can be fitted into garden decking boards as can be seen, and provides a gentle upwards light. The light sensor which is incorporated inside the light switches the light on during the evening/night time (lasting for around 8 hours) and off during the day to allow for it to recharge the units internal battery. Most of these solar lights come with a number of light units attached so that for example one can be placed in each corner of the garden decking or on each step leading up to the decking.



The solar post lights above are another great type of decking lighting without the hassle of lots of wires. These lights are perfect for background lighting to light up decking steps or around the edge of garden decking. These light posts are free standing therefore there will be no need to start drilling holes in your decking for installation. The solar panel is incorporated within the top of the post to recharge the internal battery. They light up automatically once it starts to get dark, once charged the light will last for approximately 8 hours. The posts are fitted with an energy saving white LED.

Garden decking heaters

Decking and patio heaters are becoming very popular in gardens due to the fickle British weather. Using a decking heater enables you to use your garden decking within the autumn and the spring as well as the usual summer months. The popularity of decking heaters has sprung from the lowering of the prices of decking heaters which have become more realistic for an average family to afford.

Decking heaters are obviously not the most efficient way to keep warm, however they are a must have if you enjoy having barbques and dining outside in the evenings. One of the most common types of heater is the gas heater mounted on a metal pole which has an integral gas supply. This type of heater is priced around £100 for a domestic heater and around £200 for a commercial heater.

There are also electric heaters on the market which tend to be wall mounted and transmit radiant heat. These electric heaters cost less than the gas heaters although they are not as attractive (they lack the victorian charm). They are more reliable though as they warm the rays from the heater unlike a gas heater therefore gas heaters aren't very reliable on windy days. Electric heaters are also smaller than gas heaters which can have its advantages.

Other decking heaters include Chimneas which are cast iron pots housing a fire providing lots of heat on a chilly evening. There are also fire baskets which are simply a wood or coal burner in a steal frame to produce heat.

The increase in popularity of garden decking

Over the last 10 years the number of people choosing to build garden decking instead of laying a concrete patio has grown enormously. This change is thought to have been fueled by programmes such as Ground Force and gardening magazines setting trends within the gardening world.

Decking is big news when it comes to outdoor living. The trend isn't even just confined to the summer months as people are seeing their decking as another living space or another room attached to the house and therefore the decking brings life to their garden all year round and a place to entertain and dine.

Many people use their decking every day throughout the summer, so it is well worth spending the time and money to get the perfect decking design to work best for your garden. There are many decking kits available on the market but it may be worth personalising your decking to your garden style. The price of garden decking varies according to individual needs but on average it is between £300 and £1,000.

Decking Lighting

There are many different types of lights available to light up your decking. Below are two of the best decking lights available.

Halogen Deck Lights

This type of decking light can be inserted into your garden decking (as shown below). You may want to place them in the main decking boards or in the steps leading up to the decking. This gives you the chance to light up your decking so that it can be used later into the evening and the lights can be positioned so that the light faces towards the middle of the decking in order to light it up. These lights can also be attached to the wall if there is a wall nearby.

Please click on the following link for more information - http://www.cmsgardens.co.uk/lightselect.htm

LED Lighting

This type of lighting can also be inserted into your garden decking (as shown below). As can be seen from the picture this type of lighting is more hidden than the halogen light. They can be used to light up steps or a main decking area, it doesn't matter where they are placed because you can walk on them. You are likely to require more lights placed around the decking if you choose LED's than if you were to have halogen decking lights.

Please click on the following link for more information - http://www.lighting-direct.co.uk/led-decking-and-ground-lights-c-20.html

The best decking cleaners

1. Cuprinol Decking Cleaner

• Gets rid of dirt and grease
• Kills algae and mould
• Protects against regrowth

http://www.cuprinol.co.uk/products/decking_cleaner_overview.html


2. Ronseal Decking Cleaner

• Removes dirt, grease, stains, fungus, algae and mildew
• Ideal for use on hardwood and softwood
  
• Best applied before a decking finish

http://www.ronseal.co.uk/products/product.jsp?id=32


3. Stone and Decking Cleaner

• Removes dirt, grime, algae and moss
• Protection against algae for up to 12 months

http://www.gardenoasis.co.uk/stone-decking-cleaner-p-1333.html

Making your garden decking stand out

Decking is perfect for many uses including hosting parties and dining in the summer sunshine (on days like today). It can become part of your lifestyle! Decking looks stylish within a well maintained garden and is fairly easy to look after, only requiring occasional treatments to the wooden deck boards and wooden base.

There are many ways in which you can personalise your garden decking and make it stand out, these include adding trellis, pergolas, steps and balustrades, you could also purchase some solar powered decking lights so that you can use your decking later into the evening. You could also split your decking up into different areas (if big enough) for example to have one part for sitting/dining and the other for various plants. If placing plant pots onto your decking you will need to make sure that they have adequate drainage and that they aren’t placed directly onto your decking as this may discolour it, this may require raising plant pots or containers using bricks or old wood etc.

Wooden garden furniture looks good on decking, although you need to make sure you buy something that fits properly onto the decking to save it getting in the way when moving around. Wooden furniture can also be treated to keep it looking like new.

Eco decking

Eco decking tiles are a fairly new product on the market made from 1.5cm thick Ipe timber. The benefits of eco decks are that they are easy, quick and cheap to install as the tiles just clip together on the modular Polypropylene base. This means that it only requires one person to install the decking, unlike other timber decking products.

Eco decking can be used where other types of decking may not be suitable, such as balconies and roof gardens. It can be built on a range of surfaces, it doesn’t require any digging before it can be laid, it’s adaptable and it drains well.

Benefits of Eco Decking

• Fairly cheap
• Easy to install
• Only 3cm thick (1.5cm thick decks and 1.5cm thick base)
• Ideal for patios, decking, balconies, hot tub surrounds etc.
• Slip resistant
• Splinter resistant
• Resists growth of mould and lichens

For more information please visit - www.ecodeckuk.com

An alternative to timber decking

DeckGrip

DeckGrip is a product of Marina Decking. It is very different to the more traditional timber decking as it is made from fibreglass. This type of decking is cost effective and lasts a lifetime as it doesn't wear in the same way that timber decking does, therefore there is no twisting, stretching, warping or swelling of the decks.

This fibre glass decking also has the following benefits:

• Slip resistant
• Easy to build
• Hardwearing

Click on the following link for more information - www.marinadecking.com/index.htm

Top wooden decking treatments

Cabot Decking Stain

• Suitable for all types of wood
  
• UV protection and water repellant
  
• Drys within 2 hours
• Can be used with Cabot’s decking applicator or a brush
  

http://www.cabots.com.au/exterior/deck_stain_garden.asp


Wolman DuraStain

• Prevents graying, water damage, resist peeling and blistering.
• Scuff resistant finish
• Mildew resistant coating
• Only requires one coat

http://www.wolman.com/product_detail.asp?ProductID=20


Olympic WaterGuard

• Suitable for all types of wood
  
• UV and waterproof protection
  
• Scuff resistant finish
• Mildew resistant coating

http://www.olympic.com/stain_products/exterior_stains/clears/index.htm

Preparation and planning required for garden decking

Questions that you should consider before buying garden decking:

What will the deck be used for? It needs to be large enough to accommodate garden furniture and to hold a desired number of people.

Where will the deck be located? To make the most of a view or sun trap, consider the position of the sun and wind direction.

Where are your utilities? Check the position of utilities such as gas, water and electricity pipes.

Do I need planning permission for a deck? Generally speaking planning permission is not required to build a deck, however, if you are considering building a raised deck that may overlook neighbours you should check with your local planning department and consult with your neighbours.

Building garden decking

Preparing the site:
Mark out the area with pegs and string to ensure right angles. Remove any turf and some of the top soil before applying a proprietary weed killer. Lay a weed suppressant membrane to prevent any further weed growth. Cover with either gravel or weigh down with slabs.

Construction the Base Frame:
Construct the decking base framework positioning joists at 500mm (19”) centres. Use a spirit level and the slabs to ensure a level surface is achieved. Insert staggered noggins to strengthen the base. If a pergola is to be included, install the uprights at this stage or install Deck posts at this stage, which can be either 6’ deck posts or 54” pre notched deck posts. Deck posts should be positioned no more that 2.4m apart. Once posts are installed, lay the decking.

Laying the Decking:
Deck boards should be laid at right angles to the joists. For decks larger than 3m, the boards will need to be staggered. Your chosen layout design for the deck boards may effect the position and quantity of supporting joists.

Creating the Deck Surround:
Deck surrounds can be made using either pre-formed deck panels and handrails or baluster and handrails. Two handrails will be needed for every span – one top and bottom. Drill holes in the bottom rail to allow drainage. If using balusters position at intervals not exceeding 100mm (4”).


Three of the top online suppliers of decking within the UK include:

• Timber Decking Company - www.timberdeckingco.co.uk

• Buy Decking Direct - www.buydeckingdirect.co.uk

• Quality Decking - www.qualitydecking.co.uk

Decking vs. patios

There are many differences between decking and patios, including the flexibility of decking over that of a patio. Patios tend to become riddled with weeds; they stay damp for hours after rain fall and tend to be cold even during warmer months. As decking is raised off the ground it allows for ventilation and therefore the decking boards tend to dry a lot quicker after rainfall, especially if the decking is placed in an area of the garden that catches the sunshine. Decking is therefore more useable, and tends to require less maintenance. Decking can be the perfect area for hosting a barbeque on a warm summers evening.

Useful decking questions & answers

How long is decking likely to last?
This is difficult to estimate as it depends on how well the deck boards are looked after. If looked after properly (treated using a specialist deck treatment) decking should last for around 25 years.

Is decking slippery?
Generally decking isn’t slippery if it's exposed to sunlight and treated properly.

Are grooved decking boards better than smooth?
The only difference between these two is that grooved decking is less slippery when wet.

What difference is there between hardwood and softwood decking?
There is very little difference when considering how long each will last. Hardwood is more expensive though.

How are weeds controlled underneath garden decking?
Weed control fabric can be placed underneath the decking as part of the base.

Is there any ventilation around the decking?
Yes, slight gaps are usually left between each deck board which helps air flow underneath and around the decking, and allows for drainage.

Advantages of garden decking

Whether relaxing, dining or entertaining, timber decking can provide a practical and versatile solution for larger and smaller gardens alike, extending the home into the garden to make the most of your available space.

Most garden fencing and timber suppliers offer a wide range of garden decking products for customised results to suit all lifestyle requirements. These include deck-bearers, deckboards, deck tiles and many more accessories. Pre-formed deck surrounds are available in timber Chippendale or Sunburst or decorative metal Valencia and Barcelona style panels.

Among the best online decking suppliers are:

Eco Decking Tiles

Timber Decking Company

Buy Decking Direct

Decking may at first appear a daunting project. However all you need is a saw, a hammer, a spirit level and a free weekend. Simple step-by-step instructions on planning and building a deck make creating a fantastic and functional setting for outdoor living simple, even if your DIY expertise is somewhat lacking!

Whatever your level of DIY skill, there are a range of deck kits available which come complete with everything you need to assemble a deck with minimum time and effort, including comprehensive instructions, making it an ideal weekend DIY project.

Decking Doctor Treatment

To keep your timber decking ship-shape, you will ideally need to treat it regularly using a specialist deck treatment. I recommend that you carry this out once a year for the first two to three years after you first install the deck, and then just once every other year. Follow these four simple steps:

• Remove all surface dirt, algae and grit. Before you start, use either a pressure washer or a stiff brush to clean off the debris - something like an old-fashioned scrubbing brush is ideal!

• Deep clean Specialist 'decking cleaners' are now available to help you remove all grease and dirt and prevent the re-growth of algae and fungus. Remove and soapy residues by washing throroughly with clean water - again, with a pressure washer if you have one.

• Apply stain or preservative When the decking is dry, a deck stain or preservative can be applied. If you have a hardwood deck you should also consider an annual treatment of revitalising decking oil.

• Seal and protect Finally, you need to seal the wood with a decking protector. This is a clear, water repellent coat that contains waxes to help prevent moisture damage, a preservative to keep the surface free from decay, and an algaecide to prevent mould growth.

Three of the top online suppliers of decking within the UK include:

• Timber Decking Company - www.timberdeckingco.co.uk

• Buy Decking Direct - www.buydeckingdirect.co.uk

• Quality Decking - www.qualitydecking.co.uk