It’s all hands on decking
Make a neat outdoor space where you can hang out with family and friends, relax and display your best tubs of colourful plants
It can trick the eye and create an illusion of space outside
Almost nothing can transform and tidy a space as easily as decking. I love it. It’s easy to install, low-maintenance, very good value for money and, above all, it looks great.
There used to be a bit of snobbery about it, but nothing beats decking for sheer practicality – you don’t have to be an ace carpenter either.
Wood also has a lovely, warm, natural feel for the garden and, if it’s well-treated, it will last for years. As it weathers, it takes on even more character.
Creating an outdoor area using decking will benefit the whole family. It’s a cheap and cheerful way to replace an existing patio or make a new one.
As with most garden projects, the ultimate success is all in the preparation.
Choose your area carefully if you are building a new patio. You’ll want somewhere near the house for ease of access but also in a sunny spot.
The great thing about decking is that it can go anywhere – set on brick or concrete pads, attached to stakes sunk in the ground over a lawn area or even laid on an existing patio or paved area.
But the size should allow room for chairs, a table and maybe even a barbecue and container plants.
Large DIY stores will supply wood and cut it to length for you. Narrow boards will create an illusion of space and make your garden appear larger.
Likewise, wider boards can trick the eye into thinking a space is smaller. Use mixed widths to make a pattern, if you’re feeling ambitious enough.
Most decking comes from softwood, but it is pressure treated so the preservative penetrates deep into it to protect it from rotting.
Despite that, regular painting or treating is a useful way of extending its lifespan, especially if it is close to the ground or in a damp garden.
For outside areas, make sure your decking is at least 2.5cm thick to prevent it warping.
Some decking comes with in-built anti-slip strips. This is generally more expensive but can prevent a nasty fall.
First, measure your area carefully, making sure you mark drains and downpipes. Where possible, use complete sections of timber to minimise any tricky cutting.
If you are creating an entirely new area, dig out soil to the required depth and lay brick pads in the ground, keeping them level.
Use weed block material underneath to stop unwanted grass growing between the slats. Lay support joists across these, bolting or screwing them together into position.
These should be treated carefully with preservative because they are closest to the ground and will suffer from damp the most.
Raised decks can be harder to build because you will need some foundations to support your frame.
But they can look incredible – like a dockside quay – and you can even create outdoor storage space underneath them. Attach a handrail, if it’s necessary, to the upright posts. You could also incorporate built-in seats or a bench, if you fancied it.
Once you have a basic frame, lay your decking across it. Start at one end and work across systematically. Use zinc screws, which won’t stain the wood, and counter-sink them using a drill bit so they won’t catch on toes or feet and trip or injure you.
By pre-drilling the holes, you lower the risk of wood splitting.
You may not have a choice but the direction in which the boards are laid can help create the impression of space.
A diagonal pattern running away from the house will make the space appear larger than simple straight lines. Use the same piece of wood to achieve regular spacing between the boards.
By leaving a gap between the boards, water will drain away and the surface will give a better grip when wet so you won’t be slipping over.
Remember to treat the ends of the decking where they have been cut with preservative, if possible.
Several companies do colourful ranges of wood stain and paint, with UV protection to stop fading.
A rub down with a stiff brush once or twice a year and a touch-up with paint or stain will keep it looking spick and span and like somewhere you want to spend time.
All in all, decking is an effective and relatively simple way of creating space for cooking, relaxing or gardening.