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.
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.
Decking or Paving. Which is Best.
Decking or Paving. Which is best? It can be very hard to choose. Both look great, easy to install and simple to maintain. Both are natural products, and are environmentally friendly. A pretty area of decking, or a smart paved patio or driveway definitely adds value to your home. It makes sitting outside even more fun, and provides a safe play area for kids without having to worry about problems of muddy grass. Decking is very appealing. It can be a pleasure looking at natural wood, with its gently tawny shades or you can paint the wood almost any colour you want. Smooth and slightly warm to the touch, it looks good all year round. Decking is ideal if you have a sloping area, as it can be easily adjusted to cope with uneven surfaces. It is also easy to modify in years to come when your needs change, for example if you need extra space to cope with children or plan more entertaining. Decking is very durable and retains its appearance as long as you do not mistreat it! Paving is very strong and hard wearing albeit a little less forgiving if you fall! Paving stones can be cut to suit a wide range of different shapes and sizes allowing you to create a variety of patterns and designs to give a very individual, bespoke style. You can even co-ordinate that design across your paths and driveway as well as a patio. It can look very visually striking and impressive. Paving makes the perfect choice for driveways as it is extremely strong and hard wearing. Keeping paving or decking clean is important. No matter whether you have chosen paving or decking, algae can build up during the winter time or after heavy rain and make surfaces slippery. A good clean and brush over will quickly deal with the problem. Choosing between decking and paving is not easy. There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to making a final choice. It is very much a matter of personal preference. What do you like best? What will suit your home and your circumstances? A chat with a specialist supplier and installer can be of immense help. They can offer suggestions and advice that you might not otherwise have considered. Whichever you choose, installation is quick and easy – just call in the professionals who can install it for you giving you the garden of your dreams. If you are thinking of a decking or paving project for your garden please take a look at our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com and contact us by email at office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call us on to arrange a free consultation and quote. We provide hard landscaping services in East London .
Summer Facelift For Decking
Summer facelift for decking. Give your decking a facelift by adding some extra features such as planters, built in seats, balustrades or arches. Within a very short time, tired decking can be given a totally new look. Raised beds make a perfect addition to decking as they enable extra space for planting, especially if you are less able and find bending difficult. The planters can be constructed to blend in with the existing decking colour scheme. By talking to your decking contractor, matching wood can be obtained so that the beds seamlessly link into the decking. Alternatively, opt for a contrast colour or a different shade to provide texture and style. Another advantage of adding a raised bed is that it offers quick access to an array of vegetables and herbs for the kitchen, as well as being a pretty and eyecatching feature. Bear in mind, that planters do not have to be square or rectangular – you can opt for a whole range of shapes such as circles, half moons and hexagonals. Size and height can vary according to your requirements. Your decking contractor can advise on load weights so that the planter does not damage the existing decking. Ever thought of installing some built in seating to adorn your decking? This can be a useful space saving feature since it can be combined with creating storage space underneath for bulky items like cushions. Seating can also be combined with built in planters and raised beds to create a pretty, fragrant corner in which to relax. Why not make a feature of your decking sides by adding balustrades and an archway full of fragrant roses, clematis or honeysuckle leading out to the rest of the garden? It creates a wonderful focal point wherever you happen to be in the garden or if looking out from the house. There are a wide range of options as to styles of balustrading and edging so that you can create a really personal effect that reflects your garden and house style. If your garden slopes, you could add steps or a slight ramp so that it blends seamlessly into your decking design. A practical measure, it makes access safer for all users. Decking can be so much more than just an empty space. A chat to your friendly decking consultant will provide lots of ideas as to how you can make it the perfect space for relaxing and entertaining. If you would like to discuss a project please get in touch to discuss via email on office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or calling .
Garden Decking Trends 2016
Garden decking trends 2016. Will 2016 be the year of curves? All the indications suggest that this is set to be the dominant trend in decking design. People are increasingly seeking to be more individualistic, wanting gentle curves rather than stark rectangles and squares. Curves can help make smaller spaces feel larger as the space is less clearly defined and leads neatly into the wider garden area. This provides a much better and more aesthetically pleasing link between lawns, flowerbeds and the house. There is some interest in multi-level decks with little steps leading from one to another. This helps create variations in height, again helping to make a garden area seem much bigger than it actually is. Natural colours are still very much in evidence. Rich dark browns, soft browns, golden yellows reminiscent of autumn colours are trendy, although blue themes add a cooling touch to many gardens. An intriguing trend that is appearing is the use of a two colour decking style. This often involves having a dark colour such as a rich brown on the floor area, and highlights in a brighter or softer shade. The highlights may be created by low railings or by outlining a feature or area of the decking. Everyone is looking at ways of maximizing decking space so as to get value for money and as much use as possible. Given Britain’s uncertain climate, it is not surprising that many people are adding arbours or roof areas that can be covered over when necessary to provide shade from hot sun or shelter from inclement weather. Temporary lighting is set to become much more common rather than opting for fixed lighting methods. The big advantage to temporary lighting is that it can be varied according to the time of the year, making it much more cost effective. Solar lights that can be moved around without having to install wiring are popular with many people, especially environmentally conscious householders. Low maintenance solutions are set to become one of the dominant trends over the coming year. Most people find they just do not have as much spare time as they would like. There are so many constraints on leisure time, and so many things to do, that home owners want easy solutions. Decking is seen as being reasonably easy to maintain, especially if composite materials are used. Made from recycled plastic and wood fibre, these decking panels do not need to be stained or maintained on a yearly basis and have a long life span. If you would like to discuss a decking project please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com. We provide landscaping and fencing services in East London .
