Get outside! Here are your garden decking options and the pros and cons
Shed or summerhouse? As if there was a choice...sheds can be thought of as sensible and no-nonsense, summerhouses convey an image of long summer days.
Blame the BBC and its Ground Force series. Before the green-fingered trio of Alan Titchmarsh, Charlie Dimmock and Tommy Walsh took to our television screen in 1997 you’d have been hard pressed to see garden decking anywhere. And then seemingly overnight everything changed.
The garden makeover show used lots of decking because it was cheap and economical, which was ideally suited to a TV format that demanded the transformation of a garden in two days.
Many years on from that initial Ground Force programme and decking is as popular ever, and it is so for several reasons; one of which is its versatility. Large garden, small garden and all sizes of garden in between; a raised deck does not create half as many problems, or half as much work, as a raised patio.
Decks can curve with ease, and blend in beautifully with other wooden features in the garden such as trees and fences; and you can even incorporate it with a summerhouse for a bit of extra wow factor (see our recent blog on the delights of the summerhouse)
Decking also lets you carve out a zone for al-fresco dining, and a well-designed and covered space or roof terrace can offer an all-year-round option.
Taking your living space into the outdoors is very on-trend right now, so statement garden furniture coupled with cushions and throws will make the outside as comfortable and personalised as indoors.
If you think that decking is decking, then think again because there are three different types on offer; timber, composite and Gripsure.
Composite decking features a high-percentage of wood giving it a more natural look, but its polyethylene base means that it has certain benefits over natural wood.
Our traditional timber decking is available in softwood and hardwood versions; both of which are low-maintenance and machined for a professional finish, while the former is pressure treated (hardwood doesn’t require it) to ensure that it’s long-lasting. Both come in a range of lengths, thicknesses and profiles to match any requirements.
As with traditional decking there are also two types of composite. HD Deck is a wood plastic compound made of 100 per cent FSC (that’s the Forest Stewardship Council) certified hardwood flour (yes, flour) along with recycled plastic, and UV light absorbers and anti-oxidants which combine to produce a high-quality finished product that outperforms traditional treated timber.
Meanwhile HD Deck Dual takes composite decking to the next level with its “capped” design creating a protective layer that offers maximum protection against stains, fading and the elements for an extra-long life; while the contrasting colour on each side allows your creativity to flow when it comes to designing your deck.
Finally there is Gripsure (the clue is in the name) which offers a wide range of non-slip decking options from traditional treated softwood to naturally durable hardwoods, and modified timber to low maintenance composite.
Gripsure combines natural softwood timber decking with two hardened aggregate anti-slip infills to give a stylish looking deck which is safe and reliable with proven performance for peace of mind.
It is made using Redwood which is machined and pressure treated; and subsequently infilled with a unique aggregate blend resulting in a professional and long-lasting finish.
Garden decking offers so many unique and creative design possibilities; and hopefully we have fired your imagination. It’s time for your creative juices to start flowing!
