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When it comes to your outdoor space, one of the first aspects to consider is your patio or terrace area. Garden decking ideas are a wonderful place to start – they help provide zones and boundaries and help set the scene for how and where you want your planting to look.
Whichever style of garden landscaping ideas you opt for, there’s certain to be a type of decking to suit.
Decking ideas for the garden are usually quick and relatively cheap to install. The ground beneath doesn’t require levelling, so you can cover an uneven surface, or even an existing terrace. It’s warm underfoot and also good for roof gardens.
Wooden decking needs regular oiling to maintain its colour and be aware that cheaper woods tend to warp and move over time. Consider spending a bit more of your budget on pressure-treated timber, to prevent having to spend more further down the line.
‘Correctly applied, the pressure treatment significantly improves the durability of the timber,’ says Janet Sycamore, director at The Timber Decking & Cladding Association(opens in new tab) .
‘Standard specifications are for a 15-year service life, but 30 or even 60 years can be achieved. Pressure treatment allows sustainably sourced timber species to be used effectively.’
Garden decking ideas
When choosing timber, make sure it is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, so you know it’s come from a sustainably-managed forest. The other popular option is composite, which is made from resin and reclaimed wood fibres.
‘Composite decking only needs an occasional gentle brush and wash,’ says Ash Read, home and property expert and founder of Living Cozy. Another plus is that it’s UV stable, meaning it won’t fade like natural woods can do. So all you need to know is how to clean decking when it needs a good refresh.
Not sure what to choose? There’s a wealth of garden decking ideas to suit all lifestyles, budgets and tastes ahead. So pick your perfect design and you’ll be hosting the best BBQ for friends and family in no time.
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