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If you’re thinking of making some home and garden improvements, then one of the best projects to undertake is a decking installation. Not only will this increase the curb appeal of your home and potentially up its resale value (if selling is something you’d consider in the future), but it offers you a designated space to enjoy your garden whilst acting as an extension of your home.
Whether you’d use the space to relax with a glass of wine after a long day or to entertain guests at the weekend, the usage and benefits of decking are endless.
If you do undertake a decking project, however, then it’s important that you prepare for it accordingly. As decking experts here at Fitrite, we’ve put together this useful and informative guide to help you prepare.
Before starting your decking project, the first thing you need to do is think about what you want from your decking. This includes considering not only the design choices you wish to make, but also how you realistically plan on using your decking.
For example, do you want it as an extension of your home, acting as a bridge between your home and garden, or do you want it elsewhere in the garden, such as in a corner or along your back fence? As well as where you want your decking to be, also think about the size and shape that you want, along with how well this will fit in with your existing garden space.
It’s all well and good deciding you want a certain amount of decking space, but if this takes up half your garden, then perhaps you need to compromise somewhere. There are alternative options for circumstances like this; rather than having an extended decking space, you can think about having different levels of decking layered atop each other instead.
There are then, of course, the obvious design choices that need to be made, such as choosing a colour palette, thinking about if and where any furniture and plants will sit on top and around your decking and whether you’ll incorporate any lighting into the area.
Now that you have a visual plan for your decking, it’s time to think about the type of material you’ll use. Whilst timber decking has a traditional appearance, it does come with its disadvantages in that it is prone to weathering issues such as mould, wood rot and UV damage. Not only does this affect its quality and performance, but it also means that timber decking requires more maintenance.
That’s why we recommend either composite or uPVC decking. Composite decking is a robust, high quality, durable and low maintenance alternative to traditional wood decking that is made from a combination of recycled materials. It’s a great material choice due to its wood-like appearance yet resistance to environmental factors. As for uPVC decking, this is another durable and weather-resistant material that can come in a variety of colours and finishes made from a rigid, recyclable plastic.
Whilst the two materials are similar in many ways, the question remains – which is the best? Well, there are a few differences between the two that you should consider when deciding which may better suit your personal needs.
The first is their level of water absorption. Since composite decking is made up of a blend of recycled plastic and reused wood fibres that are bonded together, they are still able to absorb small amounts of moisture, albeit considerably less than timber. On the other hand, uPVC, being plastic, won’t absorb any liquid at all. This means there is absolutely no chance of it rotting.
However, in being made fully of plastic, it does have the downside of , well… looking plastic. In comparison to composite decking, uPVC decking arguably looks less attractive. Furthermore, it is often made with a very basic and shallow wood grain appearance, meaning it offers virtually no grip when wet, making it a slip hazard. This is worth considering if you have young children or are elderly.
On the other hand, uPVC decking tends to be more cheaply made than composite decking, which is reflected in its price. This makes it a more affordable option compared to composite decking, so that’s also worth considering depending on how tight your budget is.
Keeping all these factors in mind, you can decide which material would be best to suit your practical, visual and budget needs.
Whilst it may be tempting to go down the DIY route with your decking installation, we strongly recommend you instead entrust the skills and expertise of professional decking installers. Not only do they know how to work with composite and uPVC materials, but they have plentiful experience in installing deckings.
This means that you know your decking will be installed right. Should you decide to install it yourself and end up making a mistake (or multiple), then this could end up costing you more money and time to fix, whereas professional installers are able to get everything fitted properly first time.
In addition to this, they have the specialist tools required and will know how to work around tricky angles.
When relying on professional deck installers to install your decking, you can expect the process to be done quickly and efficiently. As well as having the right tools and expertise, they also have enough manpower to carry out decking installations extremely efficiently.
As long as you use a reliable supplier, such as us here at Fitrite, you won’t have to worry about the quality of their work, since all the staff working on your decking will be knowledgeable and competent.
You should also be provided with a target date of completion, which is when the work will be finished by, if not before.
Should there be any hiccups along the way, then any reputable company will be transparent with you and update you on any issues that do crop up and whether this will affect the anticipated completion time.
If you do insist on installing the decking yourself, however, here are some common mistakes to ensure you avoid:
Professional decking installers are aware of all these factors and know to avoid them, so relying on them to install your decking is still your most reliable option for avoiding pitfalls.
As we’ve already mentioned, composite and uPVC decking require a lot less maintenance than timber decking. However, while they never need painting, stripping or staining, artificial decking does still require cleaning at least yearly.
Particularly after the winter, it’s recommended to thoroughly clean artificial decking. The easiest way to do this is by using a pressure washer, though be sure to use a fan attachment and not hold the nozzle too close to your decking, since the pressure could otherwise damage the surface of the decking boards.
If you don’t have a pressure washer, then simply using a specific artificial decking cleaner with a brush and rinsing it with your hose after will also do the job. Remember to clear your decking of any debris first, such as fallen leaves and twigs – something we recommend doing throughout the year!
As for any liquids that can stain, such as red wine or grease, these should be wiped up as soon as possible with clean, soapy water.
If you’re looking for a reliable decking installation using high quality materials, then look no further than Fitrite. We’ll discuss your requirements to ensure we find and create an ideal decking solution specific to you.
From simple composite and uPVC decking installations to the incorporation of decking accessories such as lights and balustrades, you can count on us to make your vision a reality.
For more information regarding our services and to obtain your free quote, then get in touch with our team today and we’ll be happy to help.
