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.
Treatments For Your Garden Decking
Here we look at treatments for your garden decking. Your decking experiences all of the different seasons in your garden and as with most things needs some maintenance to keep it looking it’s best. One way to do this is to apply a treatment to your deck. If new decking has been installed it is recommended to let it weather naturally for six months before applying any decking treatments. Treatments for your decking can include oiling, staining or giving it a lick of paint. First thing to do is to clear the area, removing any tables or chairs or plant pots, and give the decking a good sweep and a thorough clean. After cleaning allow the wood to dry for at least 24 hours before adding any treatment. Then choose the treatment for your decking. You will need a dry day for this project but avoid very hot weather as it may cause the product to dry too quickly and not fully absorb into the timber. When pouring the oil, paint, or stain out from the container make sure that you do this away from the deck to avoid any splashes. Remember to do a patch test first in a discrete part of the decking to check that you are happy with the finish. You can choose to apply with a brush, roller or paint pads. Rollers or paint pads will enable you to cover an area quicker than using a brush. A brush is good when using paint and for any fiddly areas. Start at the handrail or highest part of the deck to avoid drips falling on finished areas. Then work out from a corner to the entrance of your decking area so that you don’t end up walking on boards that you have just treated. Apply two thin coats rather than one thick one. Leave overnight before applying a second coat of treatment. Oils These are highly recommended as they provide a good level of protection and durability. The oil will penetrate into the wood, replacing any natural oils and resins that are lost over time and waterproofing the timber. Oils are more for protection rather than aesthetics and some decking oils also come with UV protection. You can buy clear decking oils or coloured oils which come in a variety of shades. It is recommended to do this every 6-12 months. Stains Staining a deck provides colour but allow you to still see the natural grain of the wood. It is good to chose a deck stain that is a similar colour to your deck or a shade darker. Staining can be carried out every 1-2 years. Paints Painting your decking gives you a lot of options on colour. Not only providing great colour to your garden but also protecting the wood and giving a fresh new look to your decking. We recommend using a paint that has a UV resistant formula and using a primer first if you are using a light paint colour. For all of the above garden decking treatments allow at least 24 hours before walking on your deck.
Looking After Your Garden Decking
Garden decking is a popular choice and looks great in any garden. It provides a very flexible addition to your home and a great entertaining space. As with most things it requires a little maintenance so please see below some tips and advice on looking after your garden decking. Sweep your decking regularly with a hard broom and hose it down to maintain a good deck. 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. Aim to do this twice a year. Ideally once in the spring and once in the autumn. Remember to cover your plants before starting to protect them from the cleaning solution. 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 it is really important to not use a heavy duty one. One if around 500 to 600 psi but it certainly needs to be smaller than 1500psi. Important to test the pressure washer on a hidden area first to make sure it doesn’t damage the decking. Use as wide a nozzle as possible to evenly distribute the water pressure. Hold the pressure washer about two foot above the deck and hold the nozzle at an angle. It should be noted that jetwashing may cause damage to the timber fibres. Soda crystals can be used to remove any stubborn stains. Water the deck, sprinkle the crystals, and allow to dry before washing away. Allow the deck to dry for several days before applying any type of finish. 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. Good practice is to oil the decking once or twice a year. If your wood starts to look tired and grey it needs oiling. Never drag heavy objects on the surface of a deck to avoid damaging the wood. Move planters, chairs and tables occasionally to avoid discolouring the decking. Trim nearby bushes and trees and don’t let leaves and debris pile up in corners. For newly laid decking it is recommended leaving it to weather naturally for about six months before adding a stain or decking oil. More tips to follow on looking after your garden decking.
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.
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.
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!
Updating Your Garden Decking
If you are looking for a warm inviting look to your garden then garden decking is a good choice. Decking can be installed anywhere within your garden so is highly versatile. It can be installed at the bottom of your garden if this is the area that attracts the most sun or directly leading out from your back door as an additional dining area for family meals or entertaining. An unused corner can be transformed and the area brought alive with a new decking area installed. It also works well as an option if you have just completed building work on your house like an extension where the garden can be left in a bit of a mess after such a big project and decking can be easily installed to take care of this. If you are looking at wooden decking then you can choose to have either softwood or hardwood decking installed. Here at C&J Landscapes Ltd we work with both. We also install additions to our decking projects and discuss these further here: Handrails and Spindles These really finish off the look of a decking area and there are many different options available to personalise the look of your decking space and really make the look your own, from rope or wire handles to wooden spindles and handrails to glass panels. They look really great and also provide a safety feature to your decking. We install these on both level and raised decks. Steps We build these for our raised decks and these can be installed with or without handrails and spindles. The raised decks work really well in a garden with different levels or in a sloped garden. We find decking to be very popular in sloped gardens enabling a flat space in the garden to entertain and relax. Seating We build all types of seating into our decking. A popular choice is the benches that we make that have the option of providing storage too. Ideal for hiding away cushions and garden games. The seating also allows you to add colour to the space by adding a bench cushion in a bright colour or some cushions for colour and comfort. The seating also creates a great space always available to sit down so that you can grab that fifteen minutes of peace in the garden with a hot mug of tea or if a little later in the evening a nice glass of wine or beer. We often incorporate both seating and planters in our decking projects with a bench in the middle and planters either side. Pergolas Adding a pergola in the same wood as your decking creates a streamlined look and a nice finish to a project and gives the feeling more of an outdoor room. Once installed you can choose to grown climbers through the pergola for a burst of colour and to attract wildlife to your garden or let the beauty of the wood speak for itself. Planters These can be built into the decking design for a streamlined look or as a separate landscaping project, for example raised planters made out of sleepers or rendered concrete. Another opportunity to add colour and wildlife to your outdoor space. When building as part of the decking design we often incorporate seating at the same time. Sandpits These can be installed into the decking to allow your little ones to have lots of fun in the garden under your watchful eye whilst you sit close by and relax on your decking. Lighting Adding lighting to your decking allows you to stay out relaxing in your garden long after the sun has gone down. You can have lighting installed directly into your decking or can choose to have string lights woven through spindles or handrails or across your pergola. If you would like to discuss a decking project please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com or email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413. We provide landscaping services in East London . We provide a free initial consultation and quote.
Decking Design Ideas
Here we look at decking design ideas. Decking is such a great addition to a garden. It provides a brilliant entertainment space and is so versatile it can be built anywhere in your garden. It doesn’t have to be laid right outside your back door and if there is an area at the bottom of your garden that attracts the sun a decking space there would work perfectly. Corner decking is also very popular with our clients. Decking can be laid at different heights and levels which works really well if you have a slope in your garden or the ground is uneven with different levels as decking allows you to create a flat surface for a seating area for your chairs or garden dining table. You can also look at what shape your decking will be. No longer does it have to be a standard square or rectangle. Curved decking is very popular and will create beautiful lines in your garden. If you already have an established flower border in your garden then you don’t have to dig it up. The decking can be installed to provide an edge around the border creating a frame for the plants. The decking can be laid in different configurations to create a different look. Either vertical or horizontal. One softwood that we work with regularly allows you to choose whether to have the decking laid with a grooved or smooth finish. A popular method is to mirror the flow of the flooring inside your home if the decking is going to be laid right outside your patio doors. This allows the flooring to flow from the inside out. Decking also looks great against paving and grass so mix up the elements that you use to create a beautiful and well useable space and create different zones in your garden. If you have a colour scheme in mind for your new garden design then the decking boards can be painted or stained to fit into your scheme. When having your decking installed you can also look at adding in built in planters to create a beautiful flower display, seating areas with storage space, sandpits for the littles one to play in under your watchful eye whilst you are relaxing on your decking. These are just some of the options as there are many more. Handrails and balustrades not only provide safety but also add further design to add to the look of your decking. There are many different options available to personalise your look. It doesn’t need to only be used for raised decking as it looks so good it is regularly used on level decking too. Lighting also allows you to personalise your deck and can be built into the decking or hung as string lights between the balustrades or if you have a pergola installed then twisted through. This allows you to stay out later in the evening long after it has grown dark. We love decking here at C&J Landscapes Ltd and are experts in our field so if you would like to discuss a project please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com or email office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call us on 020 3633 6413 to arrange a consultation to discuss your next decking project. We cover East London .
