Is bad decking damaging good decking

Is bad decking damaging good decking?

Pro’s Say NO to junk decking Bad decking damages good decking because clients judge the whole category by the failures they experience. That may sound uncomfortable, although most people in the industry know it already. Proper decking has never offered more to garden design, landscape construction and outdoor living. Yet poor products, weak specification and … Read more

decking business overhead costs

Overheads Explained: What A Small Decking Business Really Costs To Run

Decking business overhead costs are much more than you can possibly imagine. Until you calculate them thoroughy that is. Many decking contractors know the price of boards, subframes, screws, and labour. Far fewer know the true cost of keeping the business alive. That is where problems begin. A company can stay busy, turn over respectable … Read more

Decking business for vision, mission, values and profit

Vision, Mission, Values, Goals and Targets for a Decking Business

Most decking businesses do not fail because the installer lacks skill. More often, they lose direction because the business itself lacks structure. The work keeps coming in, the phone still rings, and the diary stays busy. However, the company drifts. It reacts instead of leading. It takes jobs without a clear standard. It grows without … Read more

owatrol decking maintenance with the best advice for decking

The Correct Maintenance of Timber Decking

Why Most Decks Fail Early (and How to Prevent It) Timber decking does not fail by accident. It fails through neglect, poor preparation, or the wrong products applied at the wrong time. That may sound blunt. However, it reflects what experienced contractors see repeatedly across the UK. Homeowners invest thousands in a deck, yet they … Read more

How to structure your decking business

How To Structure Your Decking Business: A 10-Point Plan For Long-Term Profit

Running a decking business is not the same as being good at building decks. That may sound blunt. However, it is true. Many installers work hard, stay busy, and still feel under pressure. Usually, the weakness is not on site. More often, it sits behind the tools. Pricing lacks structure, overheads remain unclear, staffing becomes … Read more

Decking Regulations update reminder 2026

UK Decking Regulations: A Quick Update for Contractors and Homeowners

Questions to ask before you deck As the decking season gets going again, it is worth revisiting a few of the rules that still catch people out. The same questions come up every year. Does it need planning permission? Does it need a balustrade? Can a homeowner sign that requirement away? Is the frame timber … Read more

10 decking court disputes to be avoided

Top 10 Garden Decking Issues That End Up in Court

Garden decking can transform a space. It can add function, structure, and style to a garden. However, when it is designed badly or built poorly, it can also become the source of serious decking court disputes. Over the years, I have seen this pattern time and again. Since the mid 2000s, I have consulted on … Read more

Why Decking Network matters to everyone

Why Decking Network Matters to Homeowners and Why Your Company Should Be On It

Are you planning a new deck and need the best information Why Decking Network Matters if you are planning a new deck, improving an old one, or trying to understand which materials and methods are right for your garden, good information matters. Too many homeowners still begin their search in the wrong place. They are … Read more

NADRA Best inlay deck design: Hen House Decks

Is composite decking all its cracked up to be?

An article by the TDCA (Timber Decking and Cladding Association) Published 26th May 2025 Composite decking article response because of a blatantly biased report. A news worth report that underpins the current state of decking representation in the UK. It is presented by an organisation exclusively focused on, and funded by, the timber industry. Nothing … Read more

7 decking mistakes to avoid

7 Decking Mistakes That Ruin Great Gardens (And How to Avoid Them)

A homeowner’s checklist for a safer, stronger deck that looks right from day one A good deck should make your garden easier to use. It mustn’t include any of these 7 decking mistakes. It should feel solid underfoot, look crisp at the edges, and drain well after rain. However, I still see plenty of projects … Read more