How long does a deck take to build?
A ground level deck off the back of a house is usually two days. A raised deck with a balustrade and steps is three to four, because the frame has to be levelled and braced before a single board goes down and that is the part that takes the time. Weather can move it, and you will be told rather than us laying boards in the rain.
Do I need planning permission for decking?
Usually not. Decking normally counts as permitted development where it sits no more than 30cm above the ground and, together with any other extensions and outbuildings, covers no more than half the garden. Higher than that, or a listed building or a conservation area, and it can need permission. If your job looks like one of those we will say so before we build it rather than leave you with the problem afterwards.
Will it be slippery in winter?
Any timber deck gets slippery when it is wet and shaded, which on this coast is a good part of the winter. Grooved boards and a proper gap between them help, because the water drains away and the surface dries. Keeping the leaves off it through autumn helps more than anything else. Where a deck sits in permanent shade we would talk to you about anti slip strips before it goes down.
What timber do you use?
Pressure treated softwood as standard, which is what nearly all garden decking in this country is built from and what most prices you will have been quoted are based on. Composite boards can go on the same frame if you would rather have nothing to do but wash it, and they cost more up front. We will price either one.
How much looking after does decking need?
A wash off and a look over once a year, and a coat of decking oil or stain every couple of years if you want to hold the colour. Left alone, treated timber weathers to a silver grey, which plenty of people prefer and does the timber no harm. The frame is the part worth checking, and if it was built right it should not need anything doing to it.
