Top decking
Ignore those naysayers, wood is a wonderful way to create a practical patio
IT’S 9am on a sunny, early August morning and it’s too hot to work in my stifling converted attic office. One day I might get around to putting in some form of air conditioning, but until then, I’m taking a rather more basic approach – I’ve decamped to a quiet spot in the garden with my laptop.
The large patio at the end of the garden is in full glare of the sun, so my place of choice for a pop-up workstation is a fairly large swathe of north-facing decking. Measuring 12ft by 12ft, the diamond-shaped deck lies flush with the French doors at the back of my house and makes a cool, shady place to work.
Of course, it would be a bit extravagant to have a surface that’s only used when the going gets hot in my converted loft. My deck is actually a multi-functional space that is put to good use all year round. It makes a great spot for eating, relaxing, playing and surveying my plant displays from a distance.
It also acts as a direct link between my house and garden, and is an attractive feature in its own right – the shape of the deck adds a geometric, architectural touch to my outdoor room, while the timber makes a great visual contrast to the adjacent lawn, patio and other hard landscaping areas.
A familiar sight in gardens nowadays, decks are a relatively recent arrival in this country. They’ve been a major feature of American and Australian gardens since the 1950s, but only became popular in the UK during the 1990s, largely thanks to a glut of TV makeover shows such as Ground Force.
Sales of timber boards spiralled during the Nineties and Noughties, leading to decks showing up everywhere. As with all trends, the wooden feature was later hit with a backlash, and even Alan Titchmarsh, the architect of decking’s rise in popularity, recently claimed he ‘feels bad’ about inspiring a boom.
My advice is to ignore the naysayers. Decks can be installed quickly and for a fraction of the cost of stone patios; they are durable, easy to maintain and allow you to create a hard standing on the most difficult of sites.
The timber boards even feel wonderfully tactile to the touch or underfoot. Their versatility is a major benefit. Decks can be built from softwood, hardwood or composite boards (a mixture of wood and plastic), in either sun or shade, and to just about any shape and size. They can be made to flow from your house or built as a stand-alone feature, on one level or in layers.
A basic, stand-alone, ground level deck is easy to install from scratch, requiring just a firm base or concrete pads to hold the sub frame network of joists. Once this is in place, decking boards can be placed into position and screwed into place, with overhanging edges cut flush with frame beneath.
Sometimes it’s best to call in the professionals. Larger decks, complex designs and ones that need laying on sloping sites are not something for the faint-hearted to undertake. These often require more substantial foundations, deft carpentry and an expert’s touch to ensure they are completely level.
Once a deck is in place, it’s a good idea to add some plants. Grasses, ferns, hostas and other low-growing species with a gently flopping habit are ideal for softening edges, while groups of containers will make a great focal point – use seasonal bedding plants, architectural specimens and compact shrubs.
Next, furnish decks with accessories to make them more inviting. Add a table and chairs that’s in scale to the available space or go for a more laid back look with rugs, beanbags and outdoor cushions.
A fire pit will provide warmth when the nights draw in, while exterior lighting will cast a magical glow.
A TREND FROM THE U.S. THAT WE WERE SLOW TO CATCH ON TO