Walk into a builders’ merchant and you will find rows of joist hangers that look reassuringly familiar. They are folded from metal, punched with fixing holes and often described as galvanised. Some listings even mention decking but not all joist hangers are for outdoor decking.It would be easy to pick the size that fits your … Read more
A professional decking quotation should give you far more than a total price and the name of the board you have chosen. It should explain what will be built, how it will be supported, which materials and fixings will be used, what work is included and what may result in an additional charge. This matters … Read more
There is a tendency in garden construction to treat every slope as a problem that needs to be removed, yet decking for a sloping garden can often offer a more practical solution. The ground falls away, the doors sit too high or one side of the garden sits lower than the other, so the immediate … Read more
Your decking can become much hotter than the air around it A garden deck can feel pleasantly warm in spring and uncomfortably hot during a summer afternoon. This often surprises homeowners because the weather forecast may say 28°C while the surface beneath their feet feels considerably hotter. So ask yourself ” why does decking get … Read more
Millboard has recently introduced a new Advanced Installer tier, which sits above its long-established Approved Installer scheme and, at the time of writing, includes just ten installers. First of all, congratulations to them. This is news worthy and should be shouted across all channels… Millboard is a clever brand, it understands presentation extremely well, and this latest … Read more
Choosing between timber or composite decking is one of the first major decisions homeowners face when planning a garden deck. This is an independent comparison of smooth pine, Kebony, hardwood and premium composite decking for UK homeowners. However, advertising often makes that decision appear much simpler than it is. Some suppliers describe timber as outdated, … Read more
A homeowner asks a simple question: “Can you replace just the rotten elements?” It sounds reasonable. However, sometimes a few rotten boards are only the visible part of a much larger failure. That was the starting point for this substantial Deckorators Excursion deck in Capel-le-Ferne, Kent. The existing timber deck had reached the end of its natural … Read more
Decking can work in almost any garden, but the same decking design will not work everywhere. A level garden beside a modern extension requires a different response from a steep site, a shaded courtyard or a garden surrounded by mature trees. Each may suit decking exceptionally well, provided the design responds to the conditions. Choosing … Read more
Before you buy composite decking, it is worth looking beyond the colour, price and headline warranty. Manufacturers and suppliers often make strong claims about British production, low maintenance, fading, durability and long-term protection. These claims may be accurate; they may not be! Homeowners should still ask what published information supports them. Where is the decking … Read more
Placing the deck in the right place is key Most homeowners begin by looking at the area immediately outside the rear doors. That may sit beyond the kitchen, dining room, family room or a set of bi-folds. In many average-sized UK gardens, it remains the most sensible place to start. Where should decking be positioned … Read more