Decking advice

laurathree

Hi all,

We're re-doing the garden this summer, and want to put a low deck in along the back of our garden (about 8.4m wide, and 3.5m deep). Here is a pic of the garden for context. Ignore the godawful state its in!



So where the current potting shed is, we want a replacement (much nicer, more windows), sat on a low deck running across to the other back corner, where we will have another summerhouse/ occasional office (already sussed electrics, but need to build shed and deck first). Seating area in the middle, because the back of the garden is where we get the most sun for the longest part of the day.

I haven't done decking before and am a bit overwhelmed with all the tutorials and the options, so I thought I'd ask for some tips from people who have done it and who have lived with their deck for a while.

- What kind of finish have you got, and how has it lasted?
- If properly maintained, how does your deck hold up, year to year?
- How is decking as a shed base (two sheds at either end of the deck is the plan?
- How easy is it do do a 'shape' instead of a straight horizontal line? We're thinking either a curve, or a diagonal line, so deck getting gradually wider from L > R.

Any other tips gratefully received!

Thanks,

Laura

glasgowdan

Don't put decking under the shed and summer house... put them on their own basic foundations, and make the decking much smaller to fit the space between. It's quite easy to create the shapes you have in mind, just the ability to cut a nice line/angle on planks of wood.

Decking can last a long time if the supporting framework has been done well with decent materials. I'd suggest a good sand and reseal/paint every 2 years. It's a laborious task.

laurathree

Thanks glasgowdan. We had considered that, but would like the decking to extend in front of the office shed a bit - for somewhere to sit as well as for aesthetic reasons - at which point not having the potting shed on it also might look odd. Although I was thinking of how I could have a coldframe in front of that potting shed...

Something like this could bridge the gap a bit, and we could edge it in the same edging as the deck, whether that's pebbles or whatever...

Davesnave

Just bear in mind the maintenance aspect, and the possibility that animals might decide to take up residence under it.......

laurathree

That's why I have asked, really - I know it will need serious maintenance once a year, but wanted to know if people were bothered by that. I'm not, really - I spent a lot of time in the garden anyway - happy to do a sand/stain or oil once a year.

Also - we're going to go for almost ground level low, so hopefully no animals. We're also enclosed on all sides by fence and other gardens, so we have very little accessibility for our larger fury friends.

EmmyLou30

Ours has been down 10 years this summer. No sign of rot or damage and all we've done is pressure wash it every 3 years (one side is in the shade and can go a bit green and slippery), then coat it with clear decking oil (nothing coloured or else it might wear off in a patchy fashion). Never had any animals under it as far as I'm aware (maybe the odd toad!?) and we have the odd pot on it.

My relative has had theirs down for less time than us and theirs has rotted (just the boards, not the underlying framework) so they're having to re-do it this summer. Both sourced the wood from the same place and was fitted by the same person, similar size area and orientation to the sun. The only difference I can see between them is that they haven't ever oiled theirs and they kept way more pots of bedding plants on it that were being watered all summer long every year. And they got hedgehogs under theirs too :-)

laurathree

Thanks Emmylou - good to know. Think we will go for a clear oil then!

We're now thinking of a decking kit in a specific size for ease - my amazing garden design skills on show here...



So 8x6 potting shed in the corner - not with grass around it in those tiny gaps, but probably some basic paving/ gravel; a sentry shed behind it for the lawnmower etc. so you can actually walk in the potting shed; decking kit (probably looking at 4.6 x 3.6m with a small seating area and an office shed of some size and shape as yet tbc on top. Black circle is compost bin, brown edging roughly where plants will grow, and patio is the patio that is already there.

Love to hear your thoughts on it. The seating area will be tricky - I want enough room to seat four around a small table ideally, and if we did decking the whole width of the garden, that would be best, because you have the max space then. But then again, the price and the work is dramatically less if we get a sizeable kit instead.

Fosterdog

Decking isn't too difficult to lay yourself if you have the right tools and always measure twice and cut once. Because you are laying it over a lawned area I would suggest a weed membrane laid over the lawn and the decking framework on top of that.

The first time I helped do decking it was at a random size so every board needed cutting. Most recently I was helping a friend with her decking and suggested added a foot onto the length she had chosen which meant each decking board was the exact length needed and the only cutting was around the fence posts and to make a step up.

The first one took four days (although it was with three people who had never done it before and only spent a few hours each day doing it) the most recent was done in around five hours with most of the time spent cutting and building the framework. The decking boards themselves were done in around half an hour.

Rather than wondering about sizes with kits pop along to a local builders merchant and find out what sized boards they sell and try to plan around them as full length, they are usually very good quality, very reasonably priced and deliver for free or just a few pounds (my most recent was £3 as they let us split a £6 delivery charge with someone two streets away and just sent both deliveries on one lorry)

ripplyuk

Rats might be a problem, especially if it's close to ground level. Decking seems to need a lot of maintenance. Not just preservatives, but it'll also get covered in green algae/moss every winter which means more spraying.

The_Biff

My deck has been up 5 years. No sign of wear on the wood yet. Planks are painted every year. Think I'll try decking oil this year.
The deck comes away from the middle floor of a 3 storey house and is supported on wooden legs (6 x 6ins-I think).I now wish I had built it on oak legs that would last a lot longer than pressure treated softwood.