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.
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.
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.
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 .
Winter Decking. A Good Choice For A Family Garden
Garden decking provides a good choice for a family garden. Even though the weather is getting a little colder our children still love to be able to play outside and we want to encourage them to be out in the fresh air. Yet it can be hard keeping an eye on young children roaming around the garden, while you try and do tasks inside the house. Many gardens incorporate water features and small ponds and these can be very dangerous for young children. Installing a decking area adjacent to the house is a perfect answer. Decking areas can be installed quickly and will blend into any garden and house design. Best of all, you can add some railings and a little gate so that children cannot stray too far. This solves the problem posed by water features. Children can play happily outdoors in safety. Decking provides a flat surface on which children can drive pedal cars, play a little football, and run around in safety. Properly installed by a contractor, decking offers a safe and secure surface. Wood is quite forgiving if little children fall on it, so there will be no nasty accidents or tears. Consider building in a little sandpit. Children love playing with sand and if you place a cover over it, after use, it keeps the sand clean and fresh. Once the children have grown up, you can always turn the pit into a small water feature by installing a pre-formed pond base or covering the pit with a special liner. It is worth considering adding a covered section within the decking area as this will allow all year round use. After rain or periods of ice and snow, decking can become a little slippery. This is easily dealt with by using an anti-slip treatment. Talk to your installer about the best anti-slip treatment to suit the wood you have chosen. It may be possible to build in anti-slip strips which can give that little bit of extra grip. Best of all maintenance is simple and easy. All decking needs is a brush and a wash down of the surface when required. This will keep the surface clean and hygienic. Once a year, use a timber treatment to keep the wood in good condition. Decking will stay looking good for many years making this a wonderful way to improve your home and garden. 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 free quotes and advice.
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 .
Replacing Your Garden Decking
Sunny, spring days always make you feel like getting outside. It also reveals the damage caused by winter. Strolling out onto the decking can highlight damaged boards, faded timbers, broken balustrades. The decking can be slippery, blackened with fungus and timbers have become warped. If not dealt with quickly, this can eventually rot the timbers – and the framework underneath. Repairing such damage is essential. But before doing so, it is worth taking a close look at your decking and deciding whether it meets your needs. It may well be better to totally replace the decking than simply carry out a repair. Over time, people’s needs change. Children grow up and may no longer need that sandpit that was built beside the decking. Trees and bushes have matured and may affect the level of light being cast over your seating area. There may be a need to add in some steps or railings around the decking to provide a secure area in which children can play close to the house. Replacing decking can also make a tremendous difference to the style and shape of your garden. It can completely transform a garden. Adding in curves or ornamental edges instead of just having square or rectangular decking can provide a sense of elegance, of style and make it seem much contemporary. Think too about the level of shade experienced on your decking. Trees and shrubs may be needed to provide privacy from neighbours, and so cannot be cut down. Adjusting the shape and size of the patio could provide extra areas of sunlight. Then there is the question of extra facilities such as balustrades to give added interest or safety. How about adding a few raised planters, an inbuilt pool, some fitted benches or a barbeque? By installing them as part of the overall decking, you can gain extra planting space and relaxing facilities which actually blends into your decking since the same materials can be used to construct these additional items. Talking to a good landscaper will provide the advice and help that you need to maximize the benefits of your decking. For a landscaper with all the right tools and equipment, adjusting shapes and styles, and replacing decking can be undertaken with the minimum of disturbance to your lifestyle. With their breadth of knowledge of the decking sector, they can suggest ways of improving decking to give it a personal touch be it in terms of colour, facilities or style. If you would like to discuss a project please get in touch by email at office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call our office on to arrange a free consultation.
Garden Decking Extras
Garden decking extras. Adding a few extras to your decking such as built in seating or planters can make a tremendous difference to your garden. Such features immediately enhance the beauty and functionality of your decking, while maximizing available space. Why not add in some pretty timber benches along the sides? This helps the transition from house to garden, while providing valuable additional seating that is perfect for al fresco entertaining. Inbuilt seating takes up far less space than a conventional table and chairs, and also has the advantage of being able to seat more people at any one time. Wooden benches evoke a sense of age less tradition, and look brilliant with any house style. A contrasting shade of wood can be very eye catching, while co-coordinating shades makes the space seem even larger. Darker tones can add a sense of warmth on cooler days. Existing features such as trees besides the decking can be enhanced by placing built in benches around it. Some built in planters provide an ideal way to grow sweet smelling and culinary herbs, or colourful annuals to brighten up al fresco dining. Built at waist height, planters can avoid the need for bending making it easier for anyone who is disabled to enjoy their garden. Steps provide additional interest and allow the installation of multi-level decking. The number of steps depends very much on the gradient, especially if your garden is sloping. Safety is obviously paramount as it is essential to avoid anyone falling down the steps and hurting themselves. Handrails are essential, while different shading at the edges of steps will help distinguish where one step ends and another starts. Contrasting textures are another way of combining safety with visual interest. At night, LED lighting beside each step will provide safety as well as creating a very pretty, twinkling, eye-catching image. End posts and handrails provide lots of opportunities for individuality, creating curves or shaped ends. Adding a fir cone shape or a circular globe gives hints of heritage, of age, as they are traditional garden styles. For something more contemporary, try squares or blocks. No one ever has enough storage space, no matter how big your house and garden. This is where built in decking features can really make an impact. Just consider the amount of space that exists underneath steps or under benches. If you would like to discuss a project please get in touch via email on office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call our office on to arrange a free consultation.
