Decking/seating area options

Friday1989

I'm planning to have a seating area at the back of my garden. I'm thinking either decking or gravel. Gravel would be easier and cheaper but I'd prefer decking. 

If I were to do decking, what would I need to do in terms of ground prep? Is it just digging out, weed proof membrane, gravel then building the decking on top? 

Ground level decking looks much easier for DIY but raised looks better. Has anyone built raised decking? How difficult was it? 

Do I risk animals (particularly rats) getting under both raised and ground level decking or just raised? 

I'd be looking at getting a kit because my DIY skills only extend so far! There's kits that look reasonably priced. If you had a good or bad experience with a particular company it would be great to hear personal recommendations. 

rob7475

It's not that hard to do really. I'm not sure what you mean by ground level or raised decking? Even decking on the ground needs to be sat on joists.

Make sure your ground is reasonably flat, lay a weed membrane and crack on.

As long as you build your frame properly and get your joist centres about right (about 45cm), you should be fine. Your frame ideally needs securiing to something, either the house wall or a 4inch post at each corner which will be concreted into the ground. The tricky bit is usually creating a balustrade, I'm guessing you aren't looking at doing that though?

FreeBear

Friday1989 said: I'm planning to have a seating area at the back of my garden. I'm thinking either decking or gravel. Gravel would be easier and cheaper but I'd prefer decking.

Gravel needs quite a bit of ground work - Dig out to a depth of ~100mm and then put down ~75mm of well compacted hardcore (MOT1 or crushed rubble). Then you can put your gravel down & compact it. Personally, I dislike weed proof membranes. Weeds will grow in the gravel and the roots knit into the membrane, and eventually you end up with a thick mat. When it comes to digging it up, the membrane has to go to landfill as it can not be recycled (more plastic pollution).

If you are putting decking in, it will shield the ground underneath from rain & sun, so very few weeds (if any) will take root - Not a lot of point putting a weed proof membrane down.

Belenus

Have you considered sandstone or other types of hard paving?

Friday1989

Belenus said:

Have you considered sandstone or other types of hard paving?

Having just looked at a couple of DIY guides, that's beyond my capabilities! I'm not keen to be playing with mortar. It's also not really the look I'm going for.


Thanks everyone. It's good to know what's involved and I think it's doable. I'm a firm believer in knowing your limitations when it comes to DIY! 

Eldi_Dos

If you do decide to go with decking and are concerned about rodents, fill the framework with tampered down pea gravel before putting on the decking planks.
Several utilities stipulate that the base's of their equipment cabinets are filled like this to keep the pests out.

twopenny

Won't it depend on how large, what sort and how many seats and what you intend to use it for.
I have a hard, flag area for a patio but for me and my friends to enjoy a coffee or lunch just levelling, weed membrane and gravel.

Bendy_House

Hi Friday.

What size of decking? And is the ground where it's going nice and firm?

The absolute easiest way of doing this - if the ground is firm - is to place 'cheap' (is anything cheap these days?) paving slabs on the ground, making sure they are reasonably non-wobbly, sit adjustable pedestals on top (around £4each?), and sit the joists on this, secured with a single screw at each ped.

Keep an eye out on local eBay, Facebook Marketplace, local papers etc for someone selling old slabs - their condition isn't important. That could be very cheap.

This will keep the joists away from the ground - essential - act as a rising damp break - essential - and be as simple to get it all level as can be.