Garden Decking advice

Adding a deck to your garden will provide both a focal point and a place to relax in good weather. If carefully constructed, it can also add value to your house. Decking isn't suitable for shady areas however. When constructing, always use pressure-treated soft wood or hardwood.

Deck Planning

Planning is probably the most important issue to get right with decking to ensure good results.
When planning..
Select the location of your deck carefully, having regard for privacy and sun, shade or wind. Decks built in highly shaded positions will require more regular maintenance.
Consider the nature of exit and entry to the home. Keep the size of the deck in proportion to your home and garden. In England new planning rules now apply o the size of decks in relation to the existing property or garden. For example, surfaces including decking are not permitted to cover more than 50% of a property’s garden.
For all but a simple, ground level/patio style deck , property owners should satisfy themselves as to whether planning regulations apply to their proposed structure. Since 1st October 2008, planning permission is now required where a deck platform is more than 300mm (1ft) from the ground.
If unsure the property owner should always first discuss their intentions with their neighbours and the Local Authority planning office.
Consider the end use of your deck when planning the sub-frame design. You may need commercial specifications for large groups of people.
Where there is a higher than normal requirement to prevent the risk of slipperiness, for example on ramps, stairs, bridges or on public/commercial installations, then you need to consider Q-Grip® deck boards that have enhanced grip characteristics.

. . . when designing
Choose the direction you wish to lay the deck boards - this will establish joist direction. Deck boards with smaller cross sections need more joists and greater support.
When designing and building decks, always plan to achieve a free draining structure. For adequate water 'run off' decks should be laid on a slight gradient (at least 1 in 80). Note: lay grooved decking down the fall to enable water 'run off' and ensure the groove ends can drain freely, ie. pack out fascia if required.
Here are some typical deckboard patterns to consider:

Herringbone Parallel 90° or 45° Chevron Checkaboard
Laying deck boards in Checkaboard and Quadrant can hinder drainage and will require more regular maintenance.

For more ideas, pictures and a online quote form visit
http://www.homeimprovementsdirect.co.uk

LAYING PAVING SLABS AND FLAGSTONES - GETTING IT RIGHT

Laying Paving Slabs and Flagstones

 

For residential patios, pathways and domestic driveways. 

There are three popular methods of laying slabs: spot bedding, individual bedding and screed bedding. L & L Home Improvements only recommends and uses individual bedding and screed bedding depending on area to be paved and what type of slab is used.

SPOT BEDDING

Spot bedding is an antiquated method that lays slabs onto five spots of mortar. Do not use this method it will contravene with the British Standards BS7533:P4 code of practice. Spot bedding has been found to create voids under the slabs, which can fill with water and wash away the Sub-Base resulting in rocking slabs. It also means the slab is un-supported where it bridges the void and can therefore crack and break more easily.

INDIVIDUAL BEDDING

Individual bedding has a proven track record, and is necessary to accommodate slabs of varying thickness. Slabs are usually calibrated to the same thickness, therefore this method of individual bedding is more expensive and time-consuming method.

SCREED BEDDING

Screed Bedding is a very simple method of fixing calibrated slabs.

Instructions

• Make the bedding layer out of a dry mix of 10:1 sharp sand to cement 40-50mm thick. This should be laid on top of the Sub-Base which itself should have been laid to the appropriate falls for adequate drainage
  Note. the surface of the Sub-Base should be well compacted and free from voids
• Compact the bedding layer with two passes of a vibrating 'wacker' plate or vibrating roller and then the top 5-10mm scarified with a fine garden rake to assist bedding
• Lay the slabs with the sawn face down onto the bedding course, carefully avoiding causing any indentations in the bed that might cause voids behind the slabs
  Note. many slabs will have tapered edges, the top face of the slab is always the larger face.
• Working from the top of slabs already laid, use their edge to support the next slab to be laid, which can be lowered down into place and tapped into position with a paver's maul
  
L & L Home Improvements recommends  a high quality, easy to use jointing compound, for more information, ideas and costs please visit our website, click here.