Which decking?

[MagicalTrevor]

Well, it's sort of a decking question. We had a set of French doors fitted a while back and we've not got round to putting proper steps down to the block-paved patio area. It's probably a '2-stepper' and I was thinking of building something using decking boards which would then become a raised planter for my Wife to put whatever plants she's going to kill this year

We've looked at the more exotic 'Balau' wood decking but that looks a bit too red as we'd idea like it to match the wood floor that I've just finished laying (first time ever and I've done a pretty good job!). Should I just buy a load of the stuff from B&Q/Wickes or is there a better place. I'll probably use 3 of 4 two-tread stringers to for the base of the steps or I can probably get away with making a frame?

Any thoughts and advice? Cheers

I'm aware that type of thing has been discussed... but guess what, search isn't available

[Podie]

Look up the local timber merchants - much cheaper in my experience.

[MagicalTrevor]

Ah, good idea, cheers Podie.

[sherman]

I wouldnt use decking for the steps as they will just get slimy and need constant attention to keep clean.

[MagicalTrevor]

sherman said:

I wouldnt use decking for the steps as they will just get slimy and need constant attention to keep clean.

Please can you make a suggestion as to what I should use? I'm not sure of what I need to look for.

[z4chris99]

i used an online company called edecks, got the lot from them, built a frame and away you go.

And a stain from b&q called ronseal rich teak..

from this: to this:

[Gingerbread Man]

My expirence of decking is that it's slippery when wet.
My old neighbours put it outside their main house door and then had to use the other entrance come winter due to it being slippery!
How about railway sleepers? Probably end up the same.

[scenario8]

Gingerbread Man said:

My expirence of decking is that it's slippery when wet.

Decking is seriously dangerous stuff when wet/damp/frosty/icy. Evil. I've gone a over t several times on other peoples' decks.

Not that that really helps the OP, for which I apologise.

[MagicalTrevor]

Thanks for the advice (so far). I'm now in a quandary as I want to use the same material to build the planter.

How about, building the frame out of 'sleepers' and then some sort of stone on the steps? I could have the steps, maybe, 20-30cm deep. How does that sound?

[Defcon5]

z4chris99 said:

i used an online company called edecks, got the lot from them, built a frame and away you go.

And a stain from b&q called ronseal rich teak..

from this: to this:

I didnt realise you were allowed to modify the balcony of your cell?

[Podie]

scenario8 said:

Decking is seriously dangerous stuff when wet/damp/frosty/icy. Evil. I've gone a over t several times on other peoples' decks.

Not that that really helps the OP, for which I apologise.

Depends on how it's treated in my experience.

[z4chris99]

Defcon5 said:

I didnt realise you were allowed to modify the balcony of your cell?

if you ask the guards nicely they let you.

(put up to stop the rif raff getting in) Ive now covered it in split bamboo

[Shaolin]

Decking isn't so bad when it gets full sun. Shade leads to damp remaining and thats when it gets slippery. Britain has too wet a climate for decking in many places.

[Ferritboy]

MagicalTrevor, check out Arbordecks products. We sell timber and composite deck boards. I'll link you

http://www.arbordeck.co.uk/

[sherman]

MagicalTrevor said:

sherman said:

I wouldnt use decking for the steps as they will just get slimy and need constant attention to keep clean.

Please can you make a suggestion as to what I should use? I'm not sure of what I need to look for.

Build your decking and planters out of deck boards and then build the steps out of bricks and slabs or if you want to be just nail some chicken wire on to the wooden steps to give some extra grip.

[parakitaMol.]

Ferritboy said:

MagicalTrevor, check out Arbordecks products. We sell timber and composite deck boards. I'll link you

http://www.arbordeck.co.uk/

I've just ordered black composite boards from ecodek for my new balcony. They look fab, can't wait till they are fitted.

It's my understanding that composite doesn't go nearly as slimy as timber. Maybe Ferritboy can confirm this? We're having matching horizontal cladding to replace the evil tiles - I'm hoping I've made the right choice! big project!

[MagicalTrevor]

Thanks guys, we love the idea of that composite decking and hadn't thought of that. Much better idea than normal decking.. however, how much? What's the cost like compared to normal decking? I'd like to do a much larger area as decking but we don't have the budget right now to do it (assuming that I'd be £500+ for the small area we'd do)

[parakitaMol.]

I don't know all the prices of different suppliers but I had one quote for the rear deck which is 110m2. It came to £8700 for the ecodek including VAT & installation.

I had samples sent in 5 colours and the texture feels really lovely - chose black to complement black aluminium windows. We are in a semi-rural area with lots of woodland and tress so we get a lot of leaf drop and spore debris which makes our deck a nightmare to maintain - but we don't want tiles, haven't really found anything else that will do the job.

[Bonefish Blues]

We used Timbertech composite "Edeck" a couple of years ago and all's well so far. In terms of price, slightly more than softwood decking, but nothing like hardwood.

I had occasion to speak to them recently as I noticed the fitters had missed two colour-coded screws. They sent me c30 foc. Impressed with the product and their aftersales service.

It's not as prone to algae growth as natural wood, it seems, and much less slippy, too.

[Ferritboy]

That is usually the case yes, however i can’t comment on ecodeck's products as i have never seen one of their decks in the flesh. Make sure you upload some pictures for us so we can have a perve!!

parakitaMol. said:

I've just ordered black composite boards from ecodek for my new balcony. They look fab, can't wait till they are fitted.

It's my understanding that composite doesn't go nearly as slimy as timber. Maybe Ferritboy can confirm this? We're having matching horizontal cladding to replace the evil tiles - I'm hoping I've made the right choice! big project!