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The Essential Timber Decking Buyers Guide.In this guide we are providing you with information that will hopefully allow you to make a better informed decision on what to look out for when deciding who to build your timber decking.

Overview1. What is your budget?

2. Does the company have a website?

3. Have the pictures of the decks been taken and built by the company?

4. Do they have a good cross-section of projects that demonstrates their skills?

5. Is the company qualified and insured to carry out your work?

6. What does PEFC and FSC full chain of custody mean?

7. Do they have experience working with different timbers and know which provide the best results?

8. Why are deckboards grooved?

9. What's wrong with buying from a DIY store or Builders Merchant?

10. Should a deck be nailed or screwed together?

11. Do I need planning permission?

1. What is your budget?If you price your project on what you have seen at a DIY outlet, then you are looking at a DIY solution. This will suit a low budget and could add value to an average value property. If your property is above average value, the decking or structure should be 'in keeping' with the property, so we would recommend that you use a specialist provider who uses better quality timber and building techniques.

Don't be put off discussing what you are prepared to spend on a project. If you have spoken to specialist companies about costings prior to having quotes for your work then you will have a general idea what your project may cost. You can then discuss your ideas to see what is achievable. Grand ideas may end up being just that rather than a reality.

2. Does the company have a website? This is important as it is a shop window to the company's work and openness about how they conduct their business. But beware, it may not contain all of the work by the company that owns the website.

3. Have the pictures of the decks been taken and built by the company?Ensure that you get to see something you like, that has been built by the company. Remember, a picture is just that, it maybe displaying another company's handiwork. If it looks good in the brochure, ask to speak to the owner to get a recommendation. If you can see it, it will be worth it.

4. Do they have a good cross-section of projects that demonstrates their skills?If a company gallery shows mainly flat on the ground decks then that is what they build. If you require something more complicated whether elevated or across water then you should look for a company that clearly shows that it can build such timber structures.

5. Is the company qualified and insured to carry out your work?Anyone can pay to be a member of an association. However, the organizations that audit a company's quality, process and procedures and has insurances in place to protect the customer, are the ones you should be talking too.

6. What does PEFC and FSC full chain of custody mean?These certifications are explained in our quality section. But briefly if you want to buy timber that is certified from a sustainable source where the chain from forest through to you the customer is genuine, then you should request a chain of custody number (COC) on their paperwork. Certified timber cannot be passed to you as certified if the company you are buying from is not PEFC or FSC registered.

7. Do they have experience working with different timbers and know which provide the best results?There are many species of softwood and hardwood timber used in building decks, all of which will react differently to the changing weather conditions that prevail in the UK. However some of these will give you a short service life either because the knots fall out or they are poorly preserved and quickly deteriorate and rot or in the case of hardwood they badly twist and cup, breaking the screws that hold them down.

Most of the time this will be a result of buying cheap. In the timber market 'Price' generally reflects 'Quality'.

Only slow grown softwoods from cold climates and heat modified softwood should be used externally. This is identified by the closeness of the growth rings seen on the ends of the timber. The hardwood that provides the best performance in all documented categories is 'Ipe' pronounced(ee-pay) because it is top in 'Durability','Stability','Hardness','Strength'.It has the same Class A fire rating as concrete and will last in its natural state in excess of 40yrs. The added bonus is that it also looks good.

8. Why are deckboards grooved?Marketing/Advertising are powerful tools when used to promote products into the UK market. Damp and wet winters/summers meant that grooved boards would provide a non-slip surface. The facts are that wet timber in domestic use will only be slippery if it is not cleaned once a year like patio slabs. What you are not told is that grooved boards collect the dirt and debris, therefore preventing the water from draining away. Even with a slight slope engineered into the deck. It is this build up that deteriorates the timber quickly and thus makes it slippery. In some commercial applications where maintenance is minimal and it has high footfall, shady or tree covered areas then resin aggregate strips are inserted.

9. What's wrong with buying from my local DIY store or Builders Merchant?Nothing. If you are looking for a quick fix and are proficient with power tools and want to tidy up a space with the short term view of maybe selling your property then you will not want to spend too much. However, if you are looking to benefit from your labours or need the experts to come in and design something that can add real value for years to come then the deck will only be as good as the timber it is built in. You should talk to companies that can supply quality timber for you to build your own project and also build with it themselves. Also talk to timber merchants whose main business is selling timber. Some companies will sell you timber that gives them the best margin and not give you the best timber for your needs. So do some research first.

10. Should a deck be nailed or screwed together?You can use either however, if it is longevity and quality you are after then make sure the framework is screwed together with strong outdoor screws and the deckboards etc also screwed with proper deck screws.

If the deckboards are made from stable timber like heat modified softwood, cedar or ipe hardwood you will be able to use trimhead finishing screws which have a very small head and so virtually disappear on the surface. Nailing is quicker and cheaper but due to natural movements in timber they will not hold as firmly as screws and the structure and boards will become loose. Nailing down deckboards will also have a tendency to split the wood and damage the surface.

11. Do I need planning permission?Council planning departments are changing the rules and guidelines on a regular basis, some are justified but most are seen as an easy revenue stream. So unfortunately to save any embarrassment after the event, please discuss your plans with your local council if you think it is relevant. On most occasions it will be fine and is better for the environment than covering the area with concrete slabs and brick walls.

Advantages of Garden Decking.1. Extending your internal space at the same level creates a smooth transition from indoors/outdoors.

2. Sloping or uneven ground can be made useable by supporting a deck on posts.

3. Decking over poorly drained grass areas, allows you to re-use the space again.

4. You can place a towel on the deck in the summer and lay on it. Something you would not do on slabs.

5. Independent surveys show that properly designed and built decks that compliment the property add a significant return on investment.

6. Areas prone to flooding benefit from elevated decks by allowing the flood water to flow beneath the structure unhindered, instead of diverting it around a concrete structure.

7. Minimal disruption whilst being built.

8. Will provide at least 20yrs of practical outdoor living space.

9. Can also be modified easily to accommodate changing lifestyles.

The above information should be used as an aid to your own research and findings.

Submitted by:Chris

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