Decking is a versatile product and offers many choices for a garden makeover project. You have the choice of different materials. Do you choose traditional wood or composite? Then there are the options of adding steps, handrails, storage solutions, lighting etc but that is a discussion for another day. Finally, the choice of colour. If you choose composite decking it comes in different colours ranging from traditional browns to greys, through to black. If you have wooden decking and decide to paint or stain it you then have the choice of all the paint and stain colours available. When thinking of colour the first thing to consider is your surroundings. Take a good look around. Is the deck going to be built straight out from your property? Or will it be built in a corner of your garden as that is a nice sunny spot where you can sit and relax? What colour would look good against your fencing or walls? Consider what colour looks good against your property. What would work well against the brickwork, window frames and door frames? Do you have a patio down already, you want the colour you choose to compliment this. What style do you want your garden to be. Traditional or modern? The various browns work well in a traditional garden whilst the greys and blacks would suit a more modern look. Think long term too, as your decking will be down for many years. You need to take your time and choose a colour that you will be happy with for a long time. The browns, greys and blacks will work well for a long time but if you decide to paint your wooden decking a bright blue or yellow it is not so likely to last the test of time. Thinking long term too in case you decide to sell your property in the future, it is good to have chosen a colour with staying power that will suit the palette of many. If you would like to discuss a decking project please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free consultation and quote with one of our friendly, professional team. We cover East London and West Essex.
Latest Client Review East London
Just received this lovely review from a happy client in Leyton, East London. “C&J Landscapes installed some decking, slabbing and a lawn for me. I had an initial chat with Christian when I was still deciding on a few things, which wasn’t a problem. He talked me though the available options for the materials and provided some samples for the decking and slabbing so I could chose the colour. The work was completed efficiently to a high standard. Very professional and pleasant firm, wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.”
Client Review East London
Just received this review from a client in East London. We installed composite decking and they are very happy with their new garden space. It is always so nice to hear how our clients found our services and they often keep us updated with their photos once they have started planting and using their new garden space. If you would like to discuss a project with one of the team please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free consultation and quote. We cover East London and West Essex.
Modern Low Maintenance Garden
A modern low maintenance garden, this was a project for a busy couple living in East London. They were looking for a beautiful space to carry out lots of entertaining with their friends and family. They also wanted a low maintenance garden as they were both busy with their lives and jobs so didn’t have the time for lots of gardening and wanted to be able to relax. Our clients loved the look of decking and softwood decking had previously been installed in their garden. They wanted to keep decking in the garden but were looking for a more low maintenance option. They wanted a grey colour scheme in the project and this is where composite decking fits perfectly. It comes in a wide variety of colours and is extremely low maintenance. Only really needing a sweep over to remove any fallen leaves or debris and the occasional spray with a hose. It is also hardwearing and feels smooth underfoot. To bring greenery into the space and also incorporate the low maintenance requirements raised rendered beds were built ready for planting. Our clients were looking forward to choosing the plants for their new beds and wanted to bring a holiday feeling to the space. The render used for the beds was K-Rend which comes in a variety of colours to match a project so that once it is applied there is no need for painting. To provide a modern look for the fencing we installed horizontal slatted fencing on all boundaries. We used softwood slats for the fencing which is more affordable than Cedar or hardwood and looks great too. If you are planning a modern low maintenance garden and would like a consultation to discuss a project please get in touch. Please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free appointment.
Softwood or Hardwood Decking
There are many things to consider with a decking project. One of the big decisions to think about is whether to install softwood or hardwood decking. There are pros and cons for both and here we take a look at the difference between the two. Softwood decking is made from fast growing evergreen or coniferous trees that produce a wood that is softer as its structure is less dense than a hardwood. The most common softwoods come from evergreen conifers like pine or spruce. Hardwood decking is made from slow growing trees, which are often referred to as broadleaved trees. Commonly used hardwoods for decking are Balau and Ipe. Hardwood is the warmest and most natural material. It is a more expensive option as the wood is more costly and it takes more expertise to install. If cost is a consideration then softwood decking is cheaper than hardwood decking as it grows faster and so is cheaper to produce. The wood fibres are tightly packed together and this structure gives the boards the strength and durability needed to last. The wood can be stained to give you a choice of colours. All the softwood decking that we install is pressure treated. You need to carry out maintenance by cleaning regularly and treating with a decking oil annually. However maintenance applies to both hard and softwood to ensure that your decking continues to look great and last a long time. If not treated then both woods will start to fade to grey. If they do start to fade to grey then use a wood cleaner and colour restorer and then protect it with a wood finish of your choice. A penetrating oil finish is perfect for soft and hardwoods. Most oils are clear but you can also get tinted wood oils. If you would like to discuss a decking project please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 0203 633 6413 to arrange a consultation.
Garden Redesign South Woodford, East London
Our latest project was a garden redesign for our clients in South Woodford, East London. Our clients had recently had an extension to their property and their back garden was left in a mess and was pretty much unusable for them. After creating such a beautiful home they wanted to create a beautiful garden to relax in. They were looking at a low maintenance garden and had ideas of what they wanted to achieve. We started off with an initial consultation to discuss ideas and products to use in their garden. Our consultations are free where we provide a quote for the works. We then showed them samples of paving and decking options for them to choose. There are many different types of paving materials and different size options to consider. For the decking we looked at hardwood and softwood options and discussed costings and the difference in the materials. There were various levels in the garden so we installed Indian Sandstone paving to incorporate these with steps going down to the bottom level with rendered columns. We lay softwood decking and installed the rope handrails. We built the raised beds ready for planting, together with a rendered bed and surrounded these with decorative stones and stepping stones. We installed feather-edge fencing at the bottom of the garden with horizontal slatted fencing at the top. This garden gave our happy clients everything they were looking for. If you would like to discuss a project please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413. We cover East London . Our experienced teams specialise in decking, paving, fencing, brickwork and turfing.
What To Consider When Planning A Decking Project
Here we look at what to consider when planning a new deck in your garden. When planning a new decking project in your garden there are many things to think about, your budget for the project, the type of decking product you would like to install, the layout of the deck. Also what you are hoping to achieve with your new deck, what you are looking to use the new area for and the best location in your garden to install this. Deck Position Before installation take a good look at your garden space and work out the best place for the new deck. Where would you get most use out of it. Do you have a really sunny corner that would work well or would you prefer to have the decking straight outside of your property making it easy for entertaining. Think about the best position to ensure privacy. Size Think about the size you would like for your decking space. Think about the size of the space that will fit well in your garden. Also the amount of people it needs to accommodate, maybe a cosy seating space or a large entertaining area for friends and family. Think of the furniture you have in mind for the area and ensuring that there is enough space around the furniture to walk around comfortably. Budget Plan your budget for the project and try to stick to it. Speak to professionals to discuss your project and get a quote for the work. Find a contractor you feel comfortable working with. Style There are many options available with decking so carry out online research to find out which type of material and style works well with your property and with your project. You can choose between wooden or composite decking and there are many options available for both. For the wooden decking you can choose between softwood or hardwood and for the composite decking there are a variety of colours available. Think about the layout as the decking boards can be laid either vertically or horizontally and you can choose different shapes for the overall decking area, square, rectangular or you can finish it with a curve. Also what works well within your budget as prices can differ between different types of materials: Hardwood – Hardwood decking is made from a number of different broadleaved trees like oak, ash or beech. The wood of these trees is slower in its growth and this ten to offer a “harder” and more durable timber. More expensive than softwood. Softwood – Softwood decking is made from coniferous, evergreen trees such as pine or spruce. About 80% of the world’s timber is softwood. Softwood decking boards are pressure treated with preservatives, to protect it from fungal and insect decay in addition to deterioration from the environment. Composite – Composite decking is manufactured from a mixture of recycled plastics and wood fibres. They are bonded together under high pressure. It doesn’t require much maintenance and provides protection from rain and UV rays. You can add further style to your decking by incorporating steps, handrails, lighting and flower beds. There are lots of different options available for these too to consider. If you have any questions or would like to discuss a decking project please get in touch. We provide landscaping services in East London and specialise in decking, paving, fencing, driveways and turfing. Please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413.
Getting Your Decking Ready For Summer
Garden decking is very popular and look gorgeous in any garden. It provides a flexible addition to your home and now that the Summer has arrived it will get lots of use. As with most things it requires a little maintenance. You want your decking looking as good as new so follow these maintenance tips below for a long-standing beautiful deck: · Give the whole area a good sweeping with a hard broom and give it a hose down. · Remove any debris that may have accumulated between the boards using a putty knife. · Use a decking cleaner to remove any moss, algae or dirt from the decking. You should aim to do this twice a year. Ideally once in the spring and once in the autumn. · Do not use any chlorine based bleach for cleaning as although it will clean the deck it will break down the lignin in the deck timber which holds the wood together. · A jet washer can be used to clean the deck but do not use a heavy duty one. It needs to be smaller than 1500psi. Allow the deck to dry for several days before applying any type of finish. · Soda crystals can be used to remove some stains. Water the deck, sprinkle the crystals, and allow to dry before washing away. · After thoroughly cleaning add a decking oil. Even though your deck has been pressure treated in the manufacturing stage it will need to be maintained. Apply the oil with a brush and add two coats. · If you find that your wood is starting to look tired and grey give it an oiling. · Remember never to drag heavy objects over the surface of a deck to avoid damaging the wood. · Move planters, chairs and tables around to avoid the sun discolouring the decking. Maybe treat yourself to some new cushions or tableware to freshen up your look. · Trim nearby bushes and trees that may be overhanging. · On an ongoing basis don’t let leaves and debris pile up in corners and keep nearby gutters and downspouts in good repair. Now you are ready to put your feet up enjoy entertaining in your garden!
How To Plan A Garden Makeover
Carrying out a total garden makeover is a very exciting and important project for your home. Take your time to think and plan what your dream garden will look like. What look would you like to achieve? Think about what you need your garden to be? Somewhere to relax, somewhere for the children to play? Take into account the size and shape of your space when planning. Do you like a traditional garden or a more modern contemporary look? Think about what would work well with your style of home. Carry out some research by visiting garden centres, open gardens, garden magazines and online and even the gardens of your friends and family for inspiration. A garden makeover can take place any time throughout the year. In the Winter the plants are dormant and so it is easier to work around the garden, or the Summer when you get the opportunity to really understand how to make the best use of your space. If you choose to carry out the work in the Winter this enables you to have your garden ready for when the Spring arrives to get the most use out of it throughout the year. In the Winter you may be able to negotiate more with your landscaper than in the Spring or Summer. Which hard landscaping do you want to introduce into your project? Do you want to be relaxing on a patio or decking area? Would you like a large lawn area to spread out on in the Summer and for your pets to have space to run around? Once you decide then carry out research on what materials you want to use for your project. There are so many options available so make sure you look at as many as possible. Carry out research online and also go into the local garden shops to take a look at samples. For decking do you want wooden decking or composite decking. If wooden do you want hardwood or softwood decking. Which do you prefer the look of, also what budget do you have for this part of the project as hardwood decking is slightly more expensive. Carry out your research to find out which type of decking suits your project and budget. There are many choices of wood available for both options. If you choose softwood decking we regularly use a decking board that allows you the choice to have a grooved or smooth finish so a further decision to make. What shape do you want your decking to be, do you want a curved finish or a standard rectangular shape flush to your home. Do you want to make additions to the decking by adding spindles and handrails, lighting, seating or storage. These additions can really make a difference to the overall project. They can always be added at a later stage if your budget doesn’t allow at the time. For paving there are many different designs and products. Which type of paving slab do you like the look of, which would work well with all the other materials you have chosen for your garden makeover project. Is it one patio needed or maybe two, one outside the back door and one at the end of the garden where the sun trap in your garden is with a path connecting the two. Then you need to decide which way you want to lay the paving as that can create a totally different look too. Do you want a square or rectangle patio or a circular one. Maybe one area of the garden as a patio and a decking area as well. Fencing plays a large part in the look of your garden so consideration really does need to be given to this area of the garden. Do you like the traditional fencing or the contemporary look of the horizontal slatted fencing. Which would work best with your overall design. There is also the choice with the traditional fencing of whether to go with concrete or wooden posts. One area that might not be considered is waste costs for the project. If you require a skip will you need to contact your local council to purchase a skip permit and do you also need to include bay charges if there are parking restrictions in your area. Do remember to include waste removal costs into your budget. If you would like to discuss a garden makeover then please get in touch with us to discuss and we can arrange a consultation to talk through your project. Email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413.
Getting Your Garden Ready For Winter
Getting your garden ready for Winter. If you would like your garden to look great in the Spring then carrying out some work in the Winter to prepare your garden for the cold spell will really help it. Here are some tasks to consider undertaking: 1. Give your paving and paths a good clean. Take off all the furniture and planters, clear out all the leaves, give it a good brush down and a clean with some soapy water and a stiff broom. If you have a pressure washer this will make the job a lot quicker and easier for you. 2. Give your decking a good brush down, firstly take off any chairs or tables or planters, then getting into the corners to remove any dead leaves or debris. Finally give it a wash down with some soapy water and a stiff broom or a pressure washer if you have one available. 3. Take a walk around your garden and take a good look around the boundary of your fences to check that the posts are still in good order and the fence panels do not need repair or for any to be replaced. 4. Lighting will really brighten up your garden in the Winter so is something to consider adding if not already there. The nights draw in fairly early now. 5. For your lawn go over the entire area with a rake to remove thatch and moss allowing it to breath and grow. Aerate and give it an Autumn feed. 6. Trim your hedges before the frost hits. 7. For your trees remove any dead or damaged branches. 8. Tidy up your borders by removing any weeds or dead foliage and leaves. Remove any annual plants and cut back herbaceous perennials. 9. If you have a compost bin now would be a good time to clear it out and spread it across your beds ready for the Spring. This also helps to make the beds look a little more presentable over the Winter. 10. Now is the time to plant out your Spring bulbs before the Winter kicks in. Once Spring arrives your garden will be alive with colour. 11. Take a look at your shed or greenhouse to see if the wood needs a coat of paint or any repairs need to be carried out. Now is a good time to give it a tidy up and clean inside and get all your tools in order. Consider adding shelving to make things easier to find. 12. For any delicate plants wrap them up in fleece ready for the Winter or move them to the greenhouse or conservatory. 13. If you have a pond try to keep it clear of leaves and place a ball in there to float on the surface to stop it freezing over completely. 14. If snow does arrive, and it seems to be more likely each year, then knock the snow that is resting on the leaves of your plants to try to prevent severe damage. If you are thinking of a new project for your garden like adding in a decking area in a sunny corner or a patio area to create a great entertaining space then now is a good time to get the work carried out whilst the garden isn’t getting as much use. If you would like to discuss please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413 to arrange a free consultation and a quote for the works.
