Outdoor Garden Decking: Enhancing Your Outdoor Space
In recent years, outdoor garden decking has surged in popularity across the UK, becoming a go-to solution for homeowners looking to extend their living space into the great outdoors. Whether you’re seeking to create a tranquil retreat, a vibrant entertainment area, or a safe and durable walkway, garden decking offers a versatile and stylish option. With a wide range of materials, treatments, and products available, outdoor garden decking can be tailored to fit any aesthetic and functional requirement, making it an integral part of modern garden design.
The Growing Popularity of Garden Decking
The trend towards outdoor living has seen a significant rise in the demand for garden decking. Homeowners are increasingly recognizing the benefits of decking as a way to enhance their outdoor spaces. Not only does decking provide a practical solution for uneven terrain, but it also adds value to a property by creating additional usable space. From small urban gardens to expansive rural properties, decking offers a way to maximize outdoor areas, turning them into functional, attractive extensions of the home. See the range of outdoor garden decking here, including the amazing new Bamboo Decking
Types of Decking Materials
When it comes to outdoor garden decking, the choice of materials is critical to the longevity, appearance, and functionality of the deck. One of the most popular choices is high-pressure treated timber, which is known for its durability and resistance to decay. This type of timber is impregnated with TANALITH wood preservative, using an on-site vacuum pressure timber impregnation plant. The treatment process gives the timber a natural pale green coloration, which can be left to weather naturally or can be stained to achieve a desired look.
Safety and Anti-Slip Decking
Safety is a paramount concern, especially in high-traffic areas or in commercial settings where the risk of slipping could lead to accidents. Our Anti-Slip Decking, crafted from FSC/PEFC-certified Scandinavian redwood, offers a perfect blend of sustainability and durability. This joinery-grade construction ensures a proper and suitable anti-slip decking solution, making it ideal for both commercial and domestic applications. With a PTV71 slip resistance rating, outdoor garden decking provides peace of mind, ensuring that surfaces remain safe even in wet conditions. Additionally, this decking is Tanalised Green Treated, promising longevity and minimizing maintenance costs over time. Whether you’re enhancing outdoor spaces or creating safe walkways, this anti-slip decking serves as a reliable solution, offering both aesthetic appeal and practicality in equal measure.
Advanced Wood Preservatives for Longevity
To enhance the durability of outdoor garden decking, advanced wood preservative treatments are essential. One of the most effective treatments available today is the latest generation TANALITH wood preservative, which incorporates patented BARamine technology. This treatment provides robust protection for fencing and landscaping timbers, with an option for built-in brown coloration or TANATONE treatment if required. The result is a timber that not only resists decay and insect attack but also maintains its aesthetic appeal for many years.
For those seeking an alternative to high-pressure treatment, low-pressure treatment options such as VACSOL wood preservative are available. This water-based preservative offers a service life of 30 to 60 years, providing long-lasting protection against the elements. VACSOL-treated timber is ideal for situations where a lighter touch is required, yet durability and longevity are still essential.
Please see the range of MH Southern timber treatments here
Decking Products: The Essentials for a Perfect Finish
Creating a beautiful and functional outdoor garden decking area requires more than just decking boards. A variety of products are available to complete the project and ensure that every detail is perfect.
Decking boards are the foundation of any decking project, and choosing the right ones is crucial. Deck boards come in a range of profiles and treatments to suit different tastes and requirements. For example, brown treated decking boards with castle reed profiles are popular for their rich color and distinctive design. Alternatively, green treated anti-slip decking provides both safety and a natural look, making it ideal for gardens with a more rustic or traditional aesthetic.
Decking handrails and decking joists are essential for structural integrity and safety. These components are typically brown treated for durability and can include features such as grooves and infill for added strength and visual appeal. Decking joists, in particular, need to be robust enough to support the weight of the decking boards and any furniture or people that will use the deck.
Decking newels and decking spindles add the finishing touches to a deck, providing both safety and style. New colonial-style rounded decking newels offer a classic look, while brown treated decking spindles, available in both colonial and stop chamfered styles, add a touch of elegance and craftsmanship to the overall design.
Decking screws and decking clips are small but crucial components of any outdoor garden decking project. Coated decking screws provide corrosion resistance, ensuring that the deck remains securely fastened for many years to come. Decking clips are often used for hidden fastening systems, giving the deck a clean, seamless appearance without visible screws or nails.
Post caps and decking posts are the final elements that tie the whole project together. Softwood chamfered post caps add a decorative touch while protecting the tops of the posts from the weather. Treated brown or green decking posts provide the necessary support for the handrails and other structural components, ensuring that the deck is both stable and durable.
Types of Treatment for Decking Boards & Posts
The longevity and durability of outdoor garden decking are greatly enhanced by the type of treatment applied to the timber. As mentioned earlier, high-pressure treated timbers are a popular choice, with TANALITH wood preservative offering robust protection. This treatment not only guards against decay and insect damage but also imparts a natural pale green coloration that can be left as is or stained to match the desired aesthetic.
The latest generation TANALITH wood preservative with BARamine technology goes a step further by providing an additional layer of protection. This advanced treatment is particularly useful for fencing and landscaping timbers, offering a built-in brown coloration if TANATONE treatment is applied. This ensures that the timber retains its appearance and integrity over time, even in harsh outdoor conditions.
For those who prefer a lighter touch, low-pressure treatment with VACSOL wood preservative is an excellent option. This water-based preservative offers a service life of up to 60 years, making it a durable and long-lasting choice for decking boards and posts. VACSOL treatment is particularly suitable for applications where the timber will not be in direct contact with the ground, such as in above-ground decking structures.
Conclusion: Why Choose Outdoor Garden Decking?
Outdoor garden decking has become a key feature in UK gardens, offering a practical and attractive solution for extending living spaces into the outdoors. With a wide range of materials, treatments, and products available, decking can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any project. Whether you’re looking for high-pressure treated timbers with advanced preservatives for maximum durability or anti-slip decking for safety, there’s a solution that fits your requirements.
Investing in quality decking products and treatments ensures that your outdoor space will not only look great but also stand the test of time. From the foundation provided by decking boards to the finishing touches of handrails, newels, and post caps, each component plays a crucial role in creating a deck that is both functional and beautiful.
Incorporating the latest in wood preservation technology, such as TANALITH and VACSOL treatments, further enhances the longevity of your deck, providing peace of mind that your investment will continue to add value to your home for many years to come. Whether you’re enhancing a small garden or creating a large outdoor entertainment area, outdoor garden decking is the perfect solution for transforming your outdoor space.