Garden Decking

Weymouth_Man

MDM wrote:

I'm looking at building some garden decking. Anyone any good sites that will show me how to go about it? I looked around Jeeves and Google but there's nothing jumping out at me:-(

Also, any known good suppliers in the Edinburgh area?

Thanks

MDM

Hi Just completed my decking using BuildRite, Worth a look :j

http://www.buildriteltd.co.uk/ :beer:

Ted_Hutchinson

Weymouth_Man wrote:

Hi Just completed my decking using BuildRite, Worth a look :j

http://www.buildriteltd.co.uk/ :beer:

Definitely worth checking out Keyline's prices start at DECKING TIMBER 38X150 TREATED (£2.59m)+vat
DECKING TIMBER 3.6MX38X150MM TREATED £9.32

Buildrite £1.63 including VAT OR £1.39 ex vat.
3.6mx32x 125 treated =£5.87 inc vat

However this isn't a like for like comparision. The Keyline is thicker 38mm instead of 32mm
and wider 150mm instead of 125mm

But your going to get the job done for nearly half the price using Buildrite.
EDIT: Had a sleep on this and realised I've been talking rubbish.

• If the boards are wider you need less of them therefore the cost comparision simply isn't right.

• It also fails to take account of the fact that thicker boards would need less supporting joists and therefore particularly if the decking platform were raised, fewer of the expensive tanalised joists would be needed saving more money.

• I'd also forgotten that list prices are often substantially discounted to people who are in the Trade (or who say they are ) So a quick phonecall to Keyline this morning produced a price of £7.50 for a 4.8m board which is listed in the link from my first post at £12.43 Buildrite do a 4.2m at £6.43

Taking all of this into account, together with the fact that a more longlasting end product would be achieved, I think I did right to choose Keyline originally and I think they still are best value.

carl310166

My wife is reluctant to have decking,she thinks that i will not mentain it correctly,and it will look bad in a few years.

So,have any of you had decking for a while? and what do you do to keep it looking good?

The problem is,she has seen at least 2 decks that have been stained,and i have to admit,they look bad,peeling etc.

I would have thought,treated timber would weather quite well,and look nice for many years,but she's not convinced YET

I am looking for something virtually maintenence free if possible.

grant1wish

I have had some decking done about two years ago.

I treated it and it still looks good as new when it has been hosed down.

One corner had a slight mark where I messed up so I bought a water feature for that corner. Now I have two water features and it looks great.

See link below for good site for water features.

cheers

herbal

I would not stain it but use decking oil, it's clear but will protect the boards.

Weymouth_Man

Ted_Hutchinson wrote:

Definitely worth checking out Keyline's prices start at DECKING TIMBER 38X150 TREATED (£2.59m)+vat
DECKING TIMBER 3.6MX38X150MM TREATED £9.32

Buildrite £1.63 including VAT OR £1.39 ex vat.
3.6mx32x 125 treated =£5.87 inc vat

However this isn't a like for like comparision. The Keyline is thicker 38mm instead of 32mm
and wider 150mm instead of 125mm

But your going to get the job done for nearly half the price using Buildrite.
EDIT: Had a sleep on this and realised I've been talking rubbish.

• If the boards are wider you need less of them therefore the cost comparision simply isn't right.

• It also fails to take account of the fact that thicker boards would need less supporting joists and therefore particularly if the decking platform were raised, fewer of the expensive tanalised joists would be needed saving more money.

• I'd also forgotten that list prices are often substantially discounted to people who are in the Trade (or who say they are ) So a quick phonecall to Keyline this morning produced a price of £7.50 for a 4.8m board which is listed in the link from my first post at £12.43 Buildrite do a 4.2m at £6.43

Taking all of this into account, together with the fact that a more longlasting end product would be achieved, I think I did right to choose Keyline originally and I think they still are best value.

I first ordered 4.8M length's at BuildRite, but when the decking came it was only 4.2M, I was then told they only provided the longer length's at the start of the season, STILL they gave me more than I ordered in 4.2M decking

scheming_gypsy

robowen wrote:

:eek: :eek: :eek:

How did you get away with not ripping it up and starting again ??

My OH would have whinged for weeks until I made it perfect ! :rotfl:

rob

i'm single and the dog can't talk............

Loobeylou

Mr Loobeylou and I constructed our decking a couple of years ago, and we just love it. We had had an extension built and decided on the decking rather than a patio. We did loads of research and found that depending on which leaflet from which company you read, they all seem to advise something slightly different for the construction of the base.

We did have a local company come to give us a quote, but the cost was horrendous. It obviously took us a great deal longer to do our own, but we enjoyed the work and feel we have done a decent job.

My tips:

If you have the space, build it larger than originally planned. We have a table and chairs on ours and it is surprising how much room they take up, especially when the chairs are in use.

If you think you are up to it, put some shape into the design. Ours actually comes around the building slightly with a couple of steps, and then has a step from one level of decking to another level. It really does make it more interesting.

Do construct it with a mesh underneath, held down with small pebbles to stop any weed growth. The last thing you need is for weeds to be growing through the gaps each year.

Do keep up to treating it once a year. There are parts of ours (where the plant pots have been standing) which develop a dark green tinge which does not look good. However, after treatment in the spring it seems to get rid of it.

Look out for pests - we noticed this year that wasps seemed to be attracted to the spindles. When we looked closely we discovered that they have stripped vertical lines off the wood! So the spindles have been treated this summer also and the problem seems to have halted.

Above all, enjoy it with a glass of something cold and alchololic at regular intervals after it is finished!!!

chateauneufdupape

Worth having a look at the Arbordeck site for information. There is a step by step guide

http://www.arbordeck.co.uk/diy_brochure.pdf

and they offer a 3D design service

http://www.arbordeck.co.uk/decking_design.html

IJJoseph

I constructed mine about 2 years ago and the best deal I got was from my garden centre.