Here is the latest review from a client in Leytonstone, East London that we wanted to share. We installed new paving and built raised rendered beds with built in seating. I couldn’t have asked for more from Chris, James and Mario and the amazing job they have just completed on our flat garden. Chris was responsive from the beginning and understood the brief, which has been delivered to a level beyond our expectations. Our tired garden space has become a little oasis in East London to enjoy for years to come. The team were punctual, respectful, trustworthy and very tidy – everything you want in a professional service. 100% recommended. Thank you Chris and team!
27
Nov
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.
Real Grass or Artificial Lawn
Here we look at whether to chose real grass or an artificial lawn. We all love to see lots of colour in our gardens and a large patch of green grass looks good and provides a great space for relaxing and playing as a family. A new lawn can really transform a tired space. But should we choose real grass or an artificial lawn? Both look good but when deciding what to choose you need to consider what the area will be used for, what the area is like for growing a real lawn, and how much time you have to look after the space. Since it was invented in the 1960’s artificial grass has become more and more popular and here we look at the good and bad points for both real and artificial lawns. Real Grass Real grass is better for the environment and produces oxygen. It is decomposable and the grass clippings can be used as compost. It encourages insects and wildlife into your garden. There are a large choice of grasses available and you can choose the right one to suit the type of garden you have. It will require more maintenance than an artificial lawn as it will need to be mowed regularly to keep the grass level down. However many people find it very therapeutic being out in their garden mowing the lawn so this could be good for keeping your stress levels down and finding the time for some peace and quiet. My husband loves putting stripes in our lawn! To looks its best it will require long term maintenance with plant feeds at certain times during the year and weeding. If you need to re-turf a small area it is easier to dig up parts of the turf and replace it with fresh patches. Artificial grass is more difficult to replace. It is more cost effective to install than an artificial lawn. However you will need to purchase a lawn mower. You can’t beat the smell of a freshly cut lawn and the grass is soft to touch. Artificial Lawn Not as good for encouraging wildlife in our gardens. More expensive to install than a natural lawn. There is lots of variety in price and quality of materials to choose from. The level of quality has dramatically improved since the days of artificial lawns that looked like they came from the greengrocer stands. Works well in shady areas that sometimes do not allow a lawn to grow its best. Artificial lawns are popular for small spaces and gardens that get lots of wear and tear. Personally, I find they seem to be particularly popular with families with budding footballers. There is very little maintenance required. It will need to be swept and rinsed occasionally to remove dust and odours. An artificial lawn doesn’t require the level of water consumption that a real lawn does, particularly helpful when the summer is hot and we there is a water ban in place. This lawn can cope with lots of foot traffic with very little wear and tear. In the winter you don’t have to worry about muddy footprints from walking on your lawn. Not so soft to the touch and they can store heat.
10
Jul
What Is Hardwood Decking
Hardwood decking looks beautiful and is a warm and natural material. Hardwood decking is made from slow growing trees, which are often referred to as broadleaved trees. It has a higher density than softwood, which gives it enhanced durability and strength. Some commonly used hardwoods for decking are Balau, Ipe and Garapa. It is a more expensive option than softwood decking as the wood is more costly and takes more expertise to install. Hardwood decking is more resistant to warping and splitting. It comes in a range of colours and finishes to suit all projects. The wood can be stained to give you a choice of colours to match a theme in your garden. As with all wood products you need to carry out maintenance by cleaning regularly and treating with a decking oil annually to ensure that your decking continues to look great and last a long time. If not treated then it will start to fade to grey. If it does start to fade to grey then use a wood cleaner and colour restorer and then protect it with a wood finish of your choice. Most oils are clear but you can get tinted wood oils. If you would like to discuss a hardwood decking project please get in touch for a free consultation. We cover East London and West Essex.
11
Jun
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.
Latest Client Review
Our latest client review on Google by a happy client in East London. “Chris and his friendly, professional team cleared our lumpy, messy, partially grassed lawn and laid slate to create a beautiful terrace. They were always on time, worked incredibly hard and efficiently, charged a fair price and were a real pleasure to have around. I recommend them without reservation!”
14
May
Porcelain Paving
If you are looking for great looking, low maintenance paving then porcelain is a good choice. Porcelain tiles are made in the same way as ceramic tiles but they are pressed and fired at a higher temperature to remove all the moisture. This makes them very strong and resistant to severe temperature changes, frost and cold weather and damage from mould or moss. They are low porous so shouldn’t absorb water or stain. They have a high anti-slip rating and keep their colour well. As porcelain paving is manmade from natural products it is uniform in colour and shape. It is available in a range of designs, sizes and colours enabling lots of flexibility when designing a garden project. It can be used both indoors and outdoors to create kitchen-dining rooms that spill out into the garden and it works in both traditional and contemporary gardens spaces. What also makes porcelain paving appealing is that is extremely low maintenance. A quick jetwash with a mild detergent is all that is needed and it doesn’t require any sealant as its natural strength is built in. Important if you are short on free time.
02
Mar
Raised Flower Beds
Raised flower beds are a popular choice in a garden. They look great, are good for people with mobility issues and for growing plants in different soils. On a personal level we find them really useful for keeping plants away from our dog who loves to pee everywhere in the garden. Another benefit is that they require less watering than containers. The beds can be constructed from railway sleepers, brick or paving slabs. Think about what type would work well within your garden design. With masonry beds you can incorporate curves and shapes into the design. Think about how big you want your beds to be and the placement of them in your garden. Whether they need to be in a sunny or shady spot for your plants. Whether you want only one side of the bed or both sides to be accessible. The width needs to be so that you can reach all areas easily. When considering the height do you want to be able to reach the bed by standing up or gardening by sitting down or kneeling. We include raised beds in many of our garden designs. If you would like to discuss a project please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413 to arrange a consultation with one of the team. Our friendly, experienced teams cover East London .
07
Feb
Indian Sandstone Paving
When choosing paving slabs for a garden project Indian Sandstone is very popular and is chosen by many of our clients for their paving projects. It is available in a riven or a smooth sawn surface. Indian Sandstone is a natural, quarried rock that is cut and shaped into paving slabs. As it is a soft rock it is easy to cut and shape to create a curve or a specific design for a patio. It is a good quality paver and comes in a variety of colours and sizes. You can choose to have one size paver for your patio or a combination of the sizes. For maintenance of your paving sweep the patio regularly to remove any debris and wash with soapy water. Try to avoid using any cleaning products that contain acid as this can create rusting on the slabs. If you would like to discuss a paving project please email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413 to arrange a consultation with one of our friendly team. Our landscaping services cover East London . If you get a moment take a look at our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com
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 .
