Somerset Garden Decking
A timber deck brings life outside - a space to relax, soak up the sun, enjoy al fresco dining and entertain friends.
The natural beauty and warmth of wood is a welcoming alternative to concrete or stone paving.
Perfect for extending the home into the garden, a deck is one of the simplest ways to increase living space without adding a complete room.
While traditional wood decks, such as redwood or treated wood, still remain popular, the new trend is toward recycled plastics for decking material. While plastics might not seem environmentally friendly, using recycled products is essential to the whole idea of recycling. Furthermore, recycled plastic decking material requires very little maintenance and will last a long time.
Synthetic decking materials are usually made in grey or brown. Vinyl and vinyl reinforced with aluminum are also used for decking. In some cases you can purchase vinyl deck kits that can be assembled easily. Vinyl, like the recycled plastics, is more expensive than wood, but virtually maintenance free.
Most decks are still made from pressure treated woods. These are treated with chemicals to make them resistant to weather and insect damage. The chemicals, however, can create environmental problems. A better alternative is to use wood such as redwood or teak which is naturally weather resistant. However, pressure treated woods are the least expensive of the decking materials.
When a deck is designed well, it will be useful for many years. There are a number of considerations when designing a deck. For one thing, how many people will you be entertaining? What about a source of light? Maybe you will want to include a barbecue pit or a hot tub in the design. Will your deck surround a swimming pool perhaps?
Deck design can incorporate many interesting features. Planters can be built in, as can benches and railings. Perhaps you'll want to include a roof or an awning for protection from the afternoon sun. Some decks include arbors and trellises for climbing plants to grow on. A deck is more attractive if some sort of skirting can be added. A real luxury touch is a screened-in gazebo.
One of the benefits to installing a deck as opposed to a patio is that a deck can be built on uneven terrain around the home. A rail with balusters can be installed to keep people safe on decks that are high above ground level. A deck is sure to become a favourite part of the home.
|