The Nice People Thread, No.16: A Universe of Niceness.

GDB2222

silvercar wrote: »

How do you make your deck anti-slip?

We have decking that I painted with some product that is meant to contain granular bits to be less slippy in the Winter, but I haven't noticed much difference.

For the ramp, I put thick splodges of varnish on. Then, whilst it was still wet, I threw on big handfuls of sharp sand. When the varnish was dry, I brushed and scraped all the surplus sand off, leaving a very grippy surface. But, it looks an awful mess. It's fine, and very effective, for a temporary ramp, but you won't want it for your deck.

You could try mixing sand into varnish, then painting that on nice and evenly. I suggest doing a trial run on a square of surplus wood or even a cardboard box to see whether you are happy with the look. It won't be as grippy as having the sand on top, but the look may be acceptable.

ukmaggie45

silvercar wrote: »

How do you make your deck anti-slip?

We have decking that I painted with some product that is meant to contain granular bits to be less slippy in the Winter, but I haven't noticed much difference.

Because this was a new deck we were able to start afresh. We stayed at old caravan with old deck over Christmas, and it was horridly slippery to the extent that I couldn't really go out on it at all. Given that OH and me are getting on now we really don't want to be falling and getting broken hips or limbs! :eek:

We went with Gripsure Decking, though we decided to go for the more interesting version of it called Zebra, which apparently has been used at the Eden Project. We figured if it can survive the traffic there it ought to survive a couple of OAPs plus our kids and the grandkids! Here's a photo to give you an idea of what it looks like.

Deck by Maggie, on Flickr

PS on the deck of boat we just used to chuck sand from the beach on top of the wet varnish when we varnished it. But that only had to last about 3-4 weeks, whereas the caravan deck we hope will last at least 10years, hopefully longer.

ivyleaf

Spirit! What a lovely surprise to see you dropping by. I was thinking of you just yesterday and wondering how you were getting on. So sorry to hear about the second stroke.

silvercar

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

Because this was a new deck we were able to start afresh. We stayed at old caravan with old deck over Christmas, and it was horridly slippery to the extent that I couldn't really go out on it at all. Given that OH and me are getting on now we really don't want to be falling and getting broken hips or limbs! :eek:

We went with Gripsure Decking, though we decided to go for the more interesting version of it called Zebra, which apparently has been used at the Eden Project. We figured if it can survive the traffic there it ought to survive a couple of OAPs plus our kids and the grandkids! Here's a photo to give you an idea of what it looks like.

Deck by Maggie, on Flickr

PS on the deck of boat we just used to chuck sand from the beach on top of the wet varnish when we varnished it. But that only had to last about 3-4 weeks, whereas the caravan deck we hope will last at least 10years, hopefully longer.

Looks amazing. Thanks for posting.

SingleSue

So nice to see you Spirit although I am sad to hear of your second stroke, hope your recovery from that goes well.

I met James' girlfriend for the first time yesterday, they've been together a while but he had been worried about what she would think about us, plus I think he wanted to keep her all to himself for a while. She's lovely, a bit older than him (only 4 years) and very intelligent, she is a history graduate.

Her introduction into the family was a political debate held in my parent's back garden, she held her own and was excellent in her debating skills...she'll fit right in!

She actually reminded me of me in my younger days and she reminded my dad of my mum.

Pyxis

Ooh Sue! How exciting!

Were you as nervous as she probably was?

I think that meeting a son's girlfriend is different from meeting a daughter's boyfriend, iyswim! There's a different dynamic!

A political debate, eh? :eek:
That was brave! Of everyone!




Maggie. I like that look! What a good idea!

It reminds me of a time when I went to a weekend course at an adult college in Sussex. They had just opened a new section of upgraded guest bedrooms, with integral ensuite pods. State of the art, designer rooms, of which they were very proud.

Well, it struck me after one night that the designers can't have actually stayed in one of their rooms. There was a tiny hanging rail, all of about 12", I'd say, hidden behind a fancy bit of artwork. There was a large blank space of wall covered in attractive wood panels, but no knob or hook for a coat or bag......it could easily have incorporated a 'designer' knob or two.
The bedside table drawer was a challenge.... it looked lovely, but took me ages to find out how to open it! And even when I did, it was tricky!

However, the worst, the very worst thing of all was that the shower floor, when wet, was absolutely lethal! I had never stood on such a slippery floor before. I am really not joking. Not only that, but there was nothing to hold onto, as the rose was overhead and there was just the single control tap. Nowhere to put a scrunchy or flannel, nowhere to put soap or shower gel! Nothing! Just blank walls and this total ice-rink of a floor.

I'm not joking when I say that I did not dare move, not even an inch. It was the most incredibly difficult and dangerous shower I had ever come across.

Form triumphed beautifully, but function was nowhere to be seen.

SingleSue

I didn't get a chance to be nervous, they just turned up on the doorstep Sunday late afternoon! Talk about completely the wrong time, holiday stuff still to be unpacked, huge piles of caught up washing waiting to be sorted and unwashed washing waiting to go in and us about to leave for my parent's house. Oh and me with no make up, hair everywhere and wearing shorts.

Not exactly the first impression I wanted to give....


They decided to go down to my parent's too and because they live onthe seafront I said for James and his GF to go first and park in the drive and I would then park over the drive (parking as you can understand in a seaside resort is a little eeky on a very sunny Sunday). I joked to the boys that mum would be out of her seat and ready to battle when she saw a strange car backing into her drive way....and I was right. Apparently it was a picture to behold, a rampaging mum who then turned all smiles when she realised it was her grandson. Dad said he hadn't seen her move so fast in years....

The debate just evolved somehow, one minute we were talking about the weather or something else nondescript, the next we were talking about Trump, then Brexit and so on. Nothing unusual for our family really and apparently not unusual for hers too.

Pyxis

SingleSue wrote: »

I didn't get a chance to be nervous, they just turned up on the doorstep Sunday late afternoon! Talk about completely the wrong time, holiday stuff still to be unpacked, huge piles of caught up washing waiting to be sorted and unwashed washing waiting to go in and us about to leave for my parent's house. Oh and me with no make up, hair everywhere and wearing shorts.

Not exactly the first impression I wanted to give....

:eek: :eek: :eek:
Boys!

GDB2222

Building collapses in Istanbul after torrential rain http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44946992

That's my dose of schadenfreude for today.

GDB2222

DD (she of my avatar) is getting married in an open air wedding on Friday at 12.:00 Thunderstorms forecast for 13:00.