[Stuart Marler]

We have a steady flow of enquiries coming in and the “bread & butter” of other services we offer are keeping us busy already and its only the second week of January; looks like its going to be a busy year.

Stuart

decking sussex surrey London

[Stuart Marler]

I havent actually, as we usually do not but the paving directly to the decking. We often leave a small amount of lip and under this a shingle base for expansion, which is covered by the decking and is hidden; to the edge of the paving.

[Stuart Marler]

This is a good questions, as I am often asked this. Sometimes its purely down to the customer’s choice and the type of decking and whether its been oiled or not.

 

For softwood I like to go for a sandstone finish, and oiling the deck yearly, to make it look new, not silver.

 

[Stuart Marler]

I do not think we need full planning requirements for all decking. There are rules in place for decks of certain heights etc. and these are enough for the time being.

If there were more rules and planning application for all decking, then this would need to be introduced across the rest of landscaping projects. Why have one rule for decking and not for a patio for instance?

[Stuart Marler]

Excellent reply Karl,

I shall give you a call for my Landscape Architect’s project.

 

Stuart

[Stuart Marler]

I agree that we need to bring in colours and the more natural they are the better. By this I mean bring in natural beauty, plants, flowers and within this is of course natural wood and water.

His write up is interesting but a bit blase and based at people with larger gardns, larger budgets and time on their hands to devote to the extra maintenance and care.

Its not an ideal world Piet!

[Stuart Marler]

Steve,

 

How can you justify this high price for membership?

If it is such good value, why do you have so few members?

 

Regards,

Stuart

Steve Young said:

Hello Robert – happy new year. The TDA supports the UK decking sector through our technical, advisory, marketing and DeckMark quality assurance roles. Funding for this comes from our members Annual subscriptions are based on the size of an individual business and start at an entry level of £900. In our experience we find that once in the TDA, installers find membership provides a definite commercial benefit and competitive advantage. The fact that NHBC now requires that raised decks are built in accordance with the TDA Code of Practice is in itselfe acting as a door opener for TDA DeckMark quality accreditted installers.

If you would like me to send you a customised membership proposal let me have your business e-mail and we will send you a pack.
Steve Young

Director

Timber Decking Association
robert jones said:

Hi Steve

I think the TDA is a good idea and generally does a good job. My problem is the fees, I have enquired a couple of times over the years and always been surprised by how much it costs to become a member. Its OK for major suppliers or organizations that can afford the cost, but small independent installers have enough overheads as it is. If membership was made a legal requirement it would be fair for all as we would all be operating with the same overheads but until then I will be opting out, unless you  reduce your fees in the new year, worth a try.

[Stuart Marler]

Robert, nothing appeared in your answer.

Stuart
robert jones said:

Steve Young said:

There are already regulatons in the form of various British Standards and Building Regulations. There is also a recognised Trade Association that has been in operation since 1999 – the Timber Decking Association ( TDA). The TDA is an independent, not for profit technical and advisory body that has been instrumental in interpreting British Standards and developing technical and good practice guidance in collaboration with TRADA ( see the TRADA/TDA Professionals Guide) and also publishes various technical bulletins to help designers and installers meet planning and building regulations. The TDA Code of Practice for Raised Timber Decks is incorporated by NHBC into its standards for all new homes built by NHBC registered builders. Over 165,000 architects, designers and consumers sought information from TDA in 2009.

The TDA operates “DeckMark” a quality assurance scheme developed by BM TRADA Certification for decking materials and contractors to provide those who buy materials or design and installation services to be reassured that products and practices meet TDA standards – see http://www.tda.org.uk for more.
Steve Young
Company Secretary
Timber Decking Association

[Stuart Marler]

Steve, for an organisation that has been going for 11 years, why do you only have 10 installer members? Only 2 designers; this is a low membership for a trade association.
Your members or committee must have been extrmely busy answering 165,000 enquiries in one year!!

Please explain more.

Steve Young said:

There are already regulatons in the form of various British Standards and Building Regulations. There is also a recognised Trade Association that has been in operation since 1999 – the Timber Decking Association ( TDA). The TDA is an independent, not for profit technical and advisory body that has been instrumental in interpreting British Standards and developing technical and good practice guidance in collaboration with TRADA ( see the TRADA/TDA Professionals Guide) and also publishes various technical bulletins to help designers and installers meet planning and building regulations. The TDA Code of Practice for Raised Timber Decks is incorporated by NHBC into its standards for all new homes built by NHBC registered builders. Over 165,000 architects, designers and consumers sought information from TDA in 2009.

The TDA operates “DeckMark” a quality assurance scheme developed by BM TRADA Certification for decking materials and contractors to provide those who buy materials or design and installation services to be reassured that products and practices meet TDA standards – see http://www.tda.org.uk for more.
Steve Young
Company Secretary
Timber Decking Association

[Stuart Marler]

No, never heard of them!

[Stuart Marler]

I have been installing decking for a number of years, not one customer/designer has asked me whether I am a member or even if I have heard of the TDA.

Can you explain more about costs for joining, members benefits etc.?

Steve Young said:

The Timber Decking Association has excellent coverage in the consumer media and is used by other organisation such as the BBC for whom TDA is the decking expert called up to comment on radio. We have a supervisory board made up of representatives from each sector of membership and a technical committee which is responsible for establishing the best practice guidance, technical bulletins and code of practice that we publish. Any one who Googles “timber decking” will see a link in the first response unpaid. We have held this position on google for a good number of years.
With the TDA Approved Retailer network, we have some 91 members, a number of whom are involved in decking for the Olympic projects.

The commercial benefit of TDA membership is open to any business so long as it agrees to conform with The TDA Membership Charter. A key part of this is accreditation to the DeckMark quality scheme. For installers this means having their workmanship and materials specifications verfified under the scheme. DeckMark quality assessed installers find the third party recognition and ability to offer insurance backed deposit protection and warranty protection gives them the edge when bidding for contracts where the customer is looking for a high quality structure with a long service life. The TDA Code of Practice endorsed by NHBC for example is for decks with a 60 year service life.
To find out more about becoming a members click contact us on http://www.tda.org.uk.
Steve

[Author]

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