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.”
Looking After Your Garden Paving
Looking after your garden paving. A patio provides a great entertaining space and is a popular choice and a great addition to your home. As with most things it requires a little maintenance and here are some tips and advice for looking after your garden paving. Sweep your patio area regularly with a stiff broom to keep away any fallen leaves or debris. Remove all furniture and give it a good all over sweep. This easy action helps to prevent seed germination. Weed your patio regularly. Try to remove the weed at the roots to prevent them from growing back. If you come across stubborn weeds or have a fair amount of weeds on your patio you can also use a weedkiller product. Be careful when removing weeds as when pulling up the weeds you can remove some of the sand from the joints and you will need to fill in this gap or the weeds will grow again. Most paving slabs just require a bucket of soap and water to keep clean. If you feel that your patio needs a deeper clean then use a specialised patio cleaner to tackle any stubborn stains. Make sure that you check that the product is suitable for the type of pavers that you have installed. This is really important as you don’t want to cause any damage to the surface of the pavers. If you have a natural stone or concrete paver make sure that any patio cleaner that you use is acid free. Test a small area before use. If you choose to use a jetwash to clean your patio make sure that it is on a low power setting and take care around joint areas as the pressure may break or damage the mortar. Work from a good range and at an angle. It is recommended to wash your patio three to four times a year. Applying a sealant will keep your patio looking its best. Again make sure you use the right product for your pavers. Try to seal your patio every few years.
Slate Paving
Slate paving is a hardwearing material which seems to improve with age. It is popular in gardens for its anti-slip properties which are due to it being very dense. It is non-porous meaning that is does not allow liquid to easily pass through and it dries quickly (rather handy in the UK with all our rain!) Being a natural stone it is better to use for the environment than a man-made stone. It is a good choice to bring the outdoors in as you can also install indoor slate pavers in your kitchen to provide a seamless flow through. There are options of a flagstone or a paving slab. Flagstones have a more natural and weathered look suited to a traditional garden. Slate pavers suit a more modern garden by providing a crisper look. Slate paving comes in many shapes and sizes and works in both traditional and modern gardens. Different sized riven paving works well in a cottage garden and more standard sizes work well in contemporary spaces. Slate paving is ideal if you are looking for a darker blue or grey colour paver which provides a good background for your plants and flowers. Regarding maintenance it should be given a thorough clean two or three times a year and regular sweeping to keep the area clean. If you would like to discuss a paving project please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free consultation with one of the team.
What To Consider When Planning A Fencing Project
Here we look at what to consider when planning a fencing project in your garden. There are many things to take into account. Firstly, what are your requirements for your fencing? Are you looking to enhance privacy, trying to try to block out noise, to make sure that your fencing is secure for your pets and children, or you want to create an attractive border around your property? Then you need to consider your budget for the project as the type of fencing you choose can vary in cost and there are many different types of fencing to choose from. One of the first considerations is the type of fence post to install, do you opt for concrete posts and gravel boards or wooden posts and wooden gravel boards. Bear in mind that concrete posts and gravel boards are more costly. Next think about the materials for your project. Do you want softwood or hardwood fencing? Both look great. Hardwood is often darker in hue and chosen for its woodgrain. Softwood is very popular and is more cost effective to use on a project. The softwood fencing that we install is all pressure treated. Composite fencing is growing in popularity as is composite decking and is a very low maintenance option to consider. Then decide on what style you would like for your fencing. Think of the style of your property and how to compliment it. Fencing can be installed vertically or horizontally. Vertical fencing is the more traditional option and very often seen on garden projects. Horizontal fencing suits a modern garden and is very popular with our clients too. Don’t forget the finish of your fencing with accessories. Do you want to add fence caps or a trellis at the top? Is a gate required? Lighting always looks great along a line of fencing and creates a great finish to a garden project. Remember to consider your neighbours and let them know of the upcoming work. The final step is to speak to a professional to discuss your project and get a quote for the work. You need to find a contractor that you feel comfortable working with. If you have any questions or would like to discuss a fencing project, please get in touch. We can arrange a free consultation at your home at a time that is convenient for you. Alternatively you can email across photos of the area to be fenced, together with some measurements, and we can provide an approximate costing by email. We provide landscaping services in East London and West Essex and specialise in paving, decking, fencing, brickwork, driveways, turfing and artificial lawns. Please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413.
Autumn Is A Good Time For Garden Redesign
Autumn is a good time for garden redesign. It works so well as your garden isn’t used as much at this time so the work can be easily carried out with little inconvenience. A great time also as all the work will be completed and ready for your garden to be used in the spring and summer. Landscapers are extremely busy and usually booked up with projects during the spring and summer so this is a great time to get a project booked in with them as they will have a bit more availability. Any new fencing may be a little easier to install at this time as any plants or shrubs in the line of fencing will be dying back ready for the winter making it easier to work around and wildlife will be less disturbed at this time. At C&J Landscapes Ltd we carry out hard landscaping which is the building part of garden redesign like patios, decking, brickwork and fencing but we also do turfing and artificial lawns. Hard landscaping can be carried out all year round including the autumn and winter giving you time to choose your plants for planting in the spring. So if you are thinking of a garden design in the autumn and would like to discuss a project with one of the team please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413 to arrange a free consultation. We cover East London and West Essex.
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.
Low Maintenance Garden
This was a project for a busy family in East London. They wanted a low maintenance and modern garden. A beautiful garden to relax and entertain and also space for their children to play and have fun. Firstly we looked at the entertaining space. They wanted a large area for a dining table and chairs and they were going to treat themselves to a new BBQ. We installed a raised composite deck in oak with raised sleeper beds at the front for planting with steps leading down to a slate path. The raised sleeper beds provided a wall to divide the areas up and bring extra greenery to the garden. The family were excited when choosing the plants for this section. Composite decking is a good choice for a low maintenance garden as it requires little to no maintenance. There is no need for painting or sealing each year giving you more time to relax. It just needs a quick sweep now and again to remove any falling leaves or debris and an occasional splash with the hose. With the environment at the forefront of their minds our clients were happy to know that composite decking is a very eco-friendly choice as it is made from recycled materials. It works well in a garden for a family due to its great non-slip properties and the boards are smooth underfoot so you don’t have to worry about splinters. Composite decking has a long lifespan 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. For the path to the side of the garden we chose a grey slate paving. Slate paving is a good choice if you are looking for a low maintenance space. The paving is non-porous and hard wearing and is very stain-resistant. It also has good non-slip properties which worked well for this family who have two lively boys running around a lot. Finally a lawn was added for all the family’s games and activities. Also creating another zone in the garden. We left a bed running down the side ready for planting. The family said they would be trying to create a tropical theme with their garden when choosing their plants. The family were very happy with the space that we have created for them and are looking forward to planting up their beds and adding some potted plants to bring lots of greenery to the space. They are also planning a lot of entertaining! If you would like to discuss a garden project please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free consultation with one of the team.
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.
