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.
Why Is Composite Decking So Popular?
Composite decking has always been very popular with our clients. We have found it particularly so this year as many people have decided to update their gardens during lockdown and have chosen composite decking for their projects. Why is it so popular? There are a number of reasons why and we look at some of them here. Maintenance Composite decking requires little to no maintenance. With many of us having busy lives this suits perfectly. No need for painting or sealing each year giving you more time to relax in your garden. A quick brush to remove any leaves that may have fallen on the deck and the occasional spray with a hose is all that is really required to keep it looking at its best. Life-Span It has a long life-span so when you have it installed you can take comfort in the fact that it will work perfectly well in your garden for many years. The combination of wood and plastic makes it very hardwearing against the elements. Composite decking boards are water-proof and resistant against moisture and mildew. Eco-Friendly The decking boards are made from recycled materials so is very eco-friendly. Caring for the environment is at the forefront of our minds making it a good choice. Family Friendly It is very family friendly due to its great non-slip properties. The boards are very smooth underfoot so you don’t have to worry about splinters and they don’t warp or crack. Colour Composite decking comes in a wide variety of colours and designs, allowing you to introduce your chosen colour into your garden design. Costs It is more expensive than wooden decking but these upfront costs are offloaded over time due to the minimal maintenance costs and its long life span. It is also said to add value to your property if you are looking to sell your home in the future. If you would like to discuss a composite decking project please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a consultation with one of the team.
Balau Decking
Balau decking is a hardwood decking. It is the most requested hardwood decking that we install for our clients. It has a fine and even texture and comes in a mixture of warm colours with golden browns, light browns and pale reddish-browns that suit a natural environment. Before it is used Balau wood goes through a specific drying process involving kiln-drying for 30 to 60 days to ensure that it doesn’t crack or warp. After kiln-drying the wood is dried in the sun for several days to produce its yellowy-orange hue. Balau is a Malaysian hardwood that is hardwearing and durable and is stronger than most other wood. It has excellent overall strength and weather resistance. Over time it will naturally weather to a silver-grey colour if not treated annually with a decking oil. Use a UV-resistant wood finishing product to protect the wood against the elements. Hardwood decking is easy to maintain. As with all decking it should be brushed over regularly to keep it free from debris and should be oiled once a year to keep it looking it best. To give it a thorough clean wash over with soda crystals and warm water or you can give it a light jetwash. Other hardwoods that we work with for our clients are Ipe, Garapa and West Red Cedar. We also install composite decking on our projects.
What is Softwood Decking
What is softwood decking? Softwood decking is a very popular choice with our clients when installing a decking project. It is beautiful and hardwearing and a more cost-effective choice than hardwood or composite decking. It is made from fast growing evergreen or coniferous trees leading to lower cost levels. The most common softwoods come from evergreen conifers like pine or spruce. The wood fibres are tightly packed together and this structure gives the boards the strength and durability needed to last. All the softwood decking that we install is pressure treated. This means that the wood has gone through a process that uses high pressure to force a solution of water and preservative agents deep into the wood. The decking is then less susceptible to rot and moisture and helps keeps insects at bay. Pressure treated wood is extremely durable and will last much longer than non-treated wood. As with any structure you need to carry out maintenance by cleaning your decking area regularly and treating with a decking oil once or twice a year to ensure that your decking continues to look great and last a long time. A penetrating oil finish is perfect for softwoods. Most oils are clear but you can get tinted wood oils and the decking can be stained to give you a choice of colours to match a garden project. The softwood decking that we install on our projects gives you the choice of a smooth or grooved finish. We work with suppliers who ensure their timber is sourced from sustainable, well-managed forests. If you have any questions or would like to discuss a decking project please get in touch via email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413.
Composite Decking
Composite decking is becoming a popular choice for decking in a garden project. Its popularity has grown in the past few years and now there are lots of choices of materials, colours and designs. It is fairly low maintenance and comes in a variety of colours meaning that you won’t have to paint or stain it to get the right colour you want for your garden design. Composite decking can get warm in the sun so choosing a lighter colour board will help. It won’t need be sealed either which is another job that can be crossed off the list. To keep it looking its best it will require cleaning by sweeping regularly with a soft brush and washing down with a garden hose. Composite decking is hard wearing and can have a lifespan of 25-30 years. It is a combination of wood and plastic and is sometimes made from recyclable materials. It is stain resistant and won’t splinter or rot. There are non-slip products with textured finishes available which prove popular for a family garden. Taking a look at the costs composite decking is more expensive than wooden decking. The decking is more expensive to buy and the installation is more labour intensive. The joists underneath need to be closer together than for traditional wooden decks. There are additions you can add to your composite deck to complete your look. Railings, post caps and trims create a beautiful finish. If you would like to discuss a decking project please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413 to arrange a consultation with one of the team. You can also use our contact form on our website to make an enquiry https://cj-landscapes.co.uk/contact-us/ Our decking services cover East London .
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.
