Decking question

OK_Sauce

I want to deck quite a large area of my back garden (25 sq.metres). Decking is pretty expensive for what it is. Can I use any treated timber? Is there anything I should be concerned about. Minimum thickness etc?

ic

Ensure that the wood has been pressure treated to withstand the elements, and consider how slippy it will get when wet/covered in algae. Decking timbers tend to have grips routed in to them. Flat planks would probably be a death trap when wet!

weekendwarrior

There are some good pages here on decking and deck construction-

Decking

As already pointed out you need pressure treated timber.

ccygirl

Try your local timbermerchants. They can usually supply proper decking boards much cheaper.

OK_Sauce

Cheers for the replies. Was a bit worried about the slippery flat surface. Thanks for the link too!

andymellie

We've just bought some decking for summer from our local timber merchants. They had lots of examples of what can be done with decking, lighting and so on. The lads at the warehouse were really helpful and gave us details of recommended fitters.
They have some useful info on their website for decking www.yorkshiretimbermerchants.co.uk.

ashcarrot

B&Q normally sales it off on their going going gone days maybe you could wait until one of them and get there QUICK!

JennyW_2

As much as I loved the decking in our previous home, it's does get very slippery when wet and that's pretty much every day during the winter months. Plus I found that after one winter, it started to turn green(ish) which of course you can jet-wash off, but hell of a job and add to that the doggie footprints - it was a nightmare. I suppose I could've stained it a dark colour but that really wasn't what I wanted to do as I liked the original colour. I personally wouldn't have it again, I'd rather have some nice stone slabs go down.

lawrie28

cleaning deckign can be done with a cheap biological washing powder - value will do, and a stiff brush.

You could look for a recycle plastic alternative. this is made from part wood pulp, part recycled plastic, and I beleive has stuff in it to stop the algae. Could be making this bit up.

Also, when building decking, B+Q recommended carriage bolts, but the wood yard said use six inch nails. Thought the nails were a bit basic, and may not hold the joints, but then thought, each decking board has at least one scrw into every support on the frame, so there would be aminimum of 30 planks with 30 screws in each so went with the nails. it was easier, cheaper and never had a problem.

you can also use a nail as a good spacer (like tiling) at each end of the board to make sure all you gaps are even.

JennyW_2

lawrie28 wrote: »

cleaning deckign can be done with a cheap biological washing powder - value will do, and a stiff brush.

hard work scrubbing decking on your knees :cool: especially if you have a large decking area. Plus the biological washing powder will remove the treatment from the wood.

securityman

Hi
I brought some yellow balau hardwood from ebay. Cost about £250 for about 20m2. They say it is seconds, but i did not have any bad bits. Had some water stains on the ends. But when oiled up they go. I used teak oil and it looks the biz.
Fitted in my garden last month and looks great. Much better then soft wood that i would have had to treat every year or so.
Can post some pics of it fitted if you like?
I used tanalised timber for the base. cost about £60 - £80 for a timber yard.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140206783960