Deck the halls
Fear not – it’s not a Christmas carol. It’s Anderson Landscapes’ guide to decking…
Over the years, decking has become a mainstay feature of gardens, helping to create a super space to live easily on whatever the season. A decked area is a great way to introduce a different material to your garden. Just as you’d pick a different paint or colour for the various rooms in the house, so you can choose decking or paving or grass to demarcate distinct areas of the garden – each one having a different purpose, be it an area for the BBQ, an area for the kids or an area for the sunloungers.
Because it’s a natural material, wood looks like it really ‘belongs’ outside, seamlessly blending in with the trees and shrubs. The beauty of the grain in the wood not only looks amazing (and improves as it ages), but has a gorgeous feel to it underfoot – especially on a warm summer’s evening.
Decking is a particularly good addition if you have a sloping garden to contend with - no other material can create the same levelling effect. It’s also an inexpensive solution to covering an area of unwanted rubble or tarmac, and has the ease-factor as it’s a lightweight product to transport (especially ideal if you’re building a roof garden, or have awkward access). We always recommend that our clients install their decking flush with the interior floors, which creates a seamless step from inside to outside, and brings a sense of effortless indoor/outdoor living.
There are choices to be made with decking though – do you choose hard wood, soft wood or composite? All decking is a great long-term investment. Over time, hardwood decking develops a stunning soft silvery hue. Soft woods also age well, but tend to need a little work with staining to keep them going.
In our opinion, composite decking is the best option, as it’s really low maintenance (bar a bit of a jet wash), is non-slip, and is made of sustainable recycled material so good for the environment too. It’s designed for maximum durability, so resists fading, staining, scratching, rotting, cracking and warping. It's also insect-proof and splinter-free, making it safe and comfortable for families with kids and pets – or just those of us who enjoy barefoot living.