Decking ideas

[pedrobedro]

That will NOT be happening as at the top end of the concrete is the garden shed and greenhouse.

Also the concrete is flush with the lawn which also has a few degrees of slope. So to make it look sensible we would have to drop the lawn also. The size of the lawn means we are looking at moving hundreds of tons of soil

It was just a suggestion, it says it's 18" in the first post and doesn't mention sheds and greenhouses. I assume it's level where the shed and greenhouse are situated. I had the opposite at ours as the yard sloped from the lawn towards the house. I had 8 tons of limestone chippings delivered and levelled it, I had to raise a couple of drain covers but it was not that big a job. Next door had decking and now the house is sold the decking is coming out, they have always had a problem with rats under it as they feed the birds a bit too generously.

 

[johnny max]

I.v put in several decks using either 100x50x3mm box section as rafters or loadbearers.
Over these I use recycled plastic decking boards. one there 15yrs now and no probs.
100x50 is galvanised 1st

 

[daleyd]

We had some decking covering an unsightly concrete base in the back garden, it must have been down about 10/11 years when we pulled it up about 2 years ago.

We used (I’m digging the depths of my memory here so I’m not 100% sure but I’m fairly confident it’s correct) travis Perkins decking boards, but the thicker ones not their cheapest offering.

They lasted ok to be fair, they got a coating of decking oil every couple of years and jetwashed once a year to remove any slime etc.

I used some stainless wire rope and turnbuckles for infill around the outside.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

and jetwashed once a year to remove any slime etc.

I suspect, as said, regular maintenance is the key to decking. I do my flagstone path round the house with the pressure washer for the same reason - the ones at the back are the worst as they don't get the sun in Winter.

 

[Burdekin]

A mate said these guys are decent for your standard decking locally. http://www.rosehilltimber.co.uk/decking

For higher spec stuff he said try these guys at Newtonmore. https://russwood.co.uk/exteriors/decking/

 

[8ob]

I am very surprised that @CompoSimmonite `s suggestion of plastic decking was dismissed as too expensive, the product may cost a few quid more but its fit and forget. It has a grippy surface and wont go slimy or need any aftercare like timber. We used it to deck out some huge pontoons about fifteen years ago and they are as good as the day we fitted it.

Cant remember the brand name but found an off cut which has been outside in the elements for all this time, has two types of surface so just flip the board for whichever you prefer/

.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I am very surprised that @CompoSimmonite `s suggestion of plastic decking was dismissed as too expensive, the product may cost a few quid more but its fit and forget. It has a grippy surface and wont go slimy or need any aftercare like timber. We used it to deck out some huge pontoons about fifteen years ago and they are as good as the day we fitted it.

Cant remember the brand name but found an off cut which has been outside in the elements for all this time, has two types of surface so just flip the board for whichever you prefer/

.

I am impressed, plastic recycled decking has come on in leaps and bounds.
Time for a new look at the stuff.

 

[Nomad]

Now I can't shake this mental image......Dark night, stars, soft music, Jacuzzi, candles, steak.......

But this is way fftopic: and not in the least bit helping the @thinfourth

Think yourself lucky - I fitted some decking around a jacuzzi for a customer a couple of months ago so I already have the image in mind...

Back to my normal helpful self :
If you need to put decking on a slope it makes sense to run it across the gradient so you don't slip.
- would it work better putting a couple of steps in, so you get 3 flat platforms not 1 slope ?
Check your local builder merchants, my last delivery was from Jewsons - various lengths - my longest bits were 4.2 metres, if you have a dedicated wood yard they might have longer pieces.
Paint all timber with wood preservative before you fit it, especially cut ends etc.
Fit a damp proof membrane between the foundation timbers and the decking, to stop the rot.
Leave a small expansion gap (a 2p piece works good as a spacer) between each deck board.
Suggest you get a decent cordless screwdriver (+ spare batteries) if you don't already have one !
PM sent with a sort-of blog link for the project

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Think yourself lucky - I fitted some decking around a jacuzzi for a customer a couple of months ago ....

Oh NO !!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

If you need to put decking on a slope it makes sense to run it across the gradient so you don't slip.

At an angle, as opposed to right angles? Otherwise water could collect in the grooves for the potential for slipperiness or freezing?

 

[thinfourth]

I am still not too sure about plastic decking as the reviews go from it is terrible to it is brilliant

 

[pedrobedro]

That will NOT be happening as at the top end of the concrete is the garden shed and greenhouse.

Also the concrete is flush with the lawn which also has a few degrees of slope. So to make it look sensible we would have to drop the lawn also. The size of the lawn means we are looking at moving hundreds of tons of soil

You would be lowering the top edge and raising the lawn end so it would be higher than the lawn, you would just need a step down to the lawn not the other way round.