Our love affair with having an indoor-outdoor flow to our homes continues unabated, and the popularity of decked areas in our gardens is as strong today as it was in the days of Alan Titchmarsh and his Ground Force team.
Why decking continues to hold court in our gardens
- A decked area can be built relatively quickly and, with the correct tools and supplies, can be achieved easily by the professional landscaper or the enthusiastic DIYer alike.
- Of all the renovations that can add value to your home, the addition of decking is one of the most cost effective to carry out.
- Decking can transform the entire look and appearance of your garden, and can cover up eyesores such as cracked patio stones, that may have been inherited from previous owners.
- A decked area that links your interior to the outdoors can provide the perfect platform for entertaining. Dressed with seating, your decking will add an extra dimension to your living space, giving you more room for socialising.
- Decking does not have to flow directly from your house and inspired garden designers can utilise it to create zonal areas with different purposes.
In terms of landscaping features, decking offers a versatility like no other. If your garden is not perfectly square in shape or if it undulates in places, decking can be bespoke made to fit your exact requirements. The finished appearance of timber decking can also be tailored to your individual tastes - the depth and richness of the wood can be enhanced with decking wood stain and varnish for a natural finish, or you can choose to paint the timber for a contemporary feel.
The way your garden design incorporates your decking boards can greatly influence the appearance of your garden too, changing the way its proportions appear. For example, decking boards positioned leading down the garden, away from your house, will give the garden the illusion of length, while boards placed widthways will make an area feel shorter. Diagonally positioned decking boards will simultaneously lengthen and broaden the space, while encouraging movement around the garden.
The type of decking you choose is very much down to personal preference.
Timber decking
Our timber decking is manufactured from graded timber which has been kiln dried and pressure treated to give it the maximum lifespan. Removing the need to source supplies elsewhere, we have an extensive selection of decking joists, newel posts, handrails, decking spindles, and all decking fixings. Relatively low maintenance, the decking will require a coat of oil or preservative from time to time to maintain its condition and strength.
Composite decking
Every year, our eco-friendly Trex decking saves 400 million pounds of waste going to landfill sites by blending recycled wood fibre with plastic. A protective outer shell is stain, scratch, mould and fade resistant and all boards carry a 25-year warranty. As easy to cut to size as traditional timber decking boards, Trex decking is maintenance-free, requiring no oiling, staining or painting. Available in a selection of natural colours, our complete range can be seen here.
When Alan and Charlie Dimmock laid their first decked area almost 25 years ago, one decking retailer had annual recorded sales of £9000. After the programme came to an end eight years later, this had risen to £8m. Now, in the 21st century, decking has most certainly come of age, and continues to be a favourite with both professionals and DIYers.