Decking Article Part 1

 

Part 1 Wooden Decking Boards

With Summer fast approaching I have decided to write a Decking article, it will take the form of a three part editorial highlighting the vast array of Garden Decking boards and Decking products that are currently available within the UK.

Wooden decking is still a very popular choice with the British home owner however there are now alternatives available in the form of Composite & PVC Decking products. The areas that I will be highlighting in the decking article will hope to answer questions such as “ What is composite Decking, What are the advantages of PVC & Composite Decking, is composite decking cost effective and what are the current market leaders highlighting the pros and cons.

For now however lets concentrate on the natural wooden decking boards that are currently available as these are still by far the most popular choice when looking to deck a garden.

 

1. The 1^st Garden Decking product that I am going to highlight is Wooden softwood decking.

 

 

Wooden softwood decking has been a firm favourite within the UK market for a number of years still offering the most cost effective alternative to hard Landscaping products. There are a number of grades in wooden decking with the most durable decking product being the Waxed & Tanalised Deck board in a 125mm by 38mm

 

RATING

( Highest Rating 10 Lowest Rating 0 ) 

 

Cost Effective       10

Aesthetics             8

Slip Rating             2

Maintenance       4

Durability             5

 

Total                    29

 

The one issue that consumers have with wooden decking is  that wooden decking needs to be maintained which can be quite time consuming. Also if not maintained properly wooden decking is prone to becoming slippery. However there are grip strips available that can be inserted into the Wooden deck plank to give it slip resistance.

 

 

2.  Wooden Decking with a Rubber Insert

 

????????????As a Low-Slip alternative to wooden deck boards Rubber Insert decking boards are an option. The decking board is a slip resistant product combining EPDM rubber and pressure treated softwood. This results in a wooden decking product that is both attractive and colourful offering alternative to traditional timber decking but also a safe slip resistant surface in wet or dry conditions.

The rubber certified and has a 15 year guarantee against rot and fungal decay, this is however subject to correct installation and treatment of cut ends.

This product is also rated as 'low potential for slip' tested to BS 7976 part 2 and is ideal for commercial areas.

 

RATING

( Highest Rating 10 Lowest Rating 0 ) 

 

Cost Effective      6

Aesthetics            6

Slip Rating            7

Maintenance       6

Durability             6

 

Total                  31

 

 

3. Anti – Slip Wooden Decking boards

 

 

This particular design of Wooden decking board will resolve the issue of wooden decking boards becoming slippery when wet, a resin insert is manufactured into the decking board to give a fully anti-slip surface. This is a solution to one of the major issues associated with softwood wooden decking boards. However this particular style of wooden decking board does come at a significantly increased cost.

 

RATING

( Highest Rating 10 Lowest Rating 0 ) 

 

Cost Effective      4

Aesthetics            8

Slip Rating            10

Maintenance       6

Durability             6

 

Total                  32

 

4. Hardwood Decking

 

There are a number of Hardwood wooden decking options available for purchase within the UK. The most common Hardwood deck tends to be Balau. Balau decking is an Indonesian hardwood with a reddish or yellow brown colour this is however dependant on the species. The misconception that a lot of consumers have with Hardwood decking is that it will remain its original colour.

This is not the case as ALL wooden decking boards will go a weathered grey colour without prior treatment.

 

RATING

( Highest Rating 10 Lowest Rating 0 ) 

 

Cost Effective      4

Aesthetics            9

Slip Rating            6

Maintenance       6

Durability             7

 

Total                   32

 

 

I hope that you have found the article useful, if you require any further information on Wooden decking or decking products either give us a call on Swansea  ( 01792 ) 884828 or visit our decking design and display centre at our Swansea South Wales Depot.

 

My next article will focus on the different types of composite Decking products that are available for sale in the Uk at the present time highlighting any pros and cons.