50% Off Delivery On Orders Over £300
Kent - Tel 01322-787312
London - Tel 020-8698-4064
The Complete Buying Guide To Garden Decking
You step outside with a mug of tea. The sun’s out, the dog has already claimed the best area, and the deck is warm under your feet. This is the bit of the garden you actually use. No muddy patches, no sinking chairs, no wobbling on gravel. Just a flat, solid space that works all year round.
It’s where you put the BBQ, eat your burnt sausages, and try to stop the kids from chasing each other with the hosepipe. It's the stage for everything from morning coffees to late-night chats under the fairy lights.
It also makes you look more organised than you are. Friends come round and are instantly impressed by your wooden decking, asking how you built it (they don’t need to know how long it took you to find the tape measure).
Good wooden decking sorts out bumpy lawns, covers that old patio, and provides a place to work. It makes the whole place feel more finished.
In this article, we will take a look at everything you ever need to know about decking.
Types of Decking Boards
Q Deck Boards (Canterbury, Winchester, York)
When it comes to wooden decking, you want something tough enough to handle the odd BBQ fire and endless British Rain. Q-Deck’s Canterbury, Winchester, and York Boards are made from high-quality softwood. They’re pressure-treated, good-looking, and made to last. These are the ones we would recommend you use for your decking.
Smooth vs Grooved
Some boards are smooth for a clearer finish. Some are grooved to help with grip when things get a bit slippery. Grooved boards are the more popular choice for garden decks because they’re practical as well as smart. Either way, it's a style choice, you’re not getting a better or worse with either one.
Reversible Boards
Some boards come with a different finish on each side, which gives you two looks before you fix them. One side might be smooth, the other grooved. It's handy because you can pick the style you like before you install them. Once they’re screwed down, they’re not going anywhere. So choose the side you want on show when you’re laying them out.
Pressure-treated Timber
All the boards are pressure-treated. This means preservatives are forced deep into the wood under pressure. It helps the decking fight off rot, mould, and insects. You get a longer life out of your deck and spend less time worrying about it falling apart when the weather gets bad.
Nominal Size vs Actual Size
Here's a timber industry classic. Boards might be listed as 38 x 150mm, but if they are planed smooth, the actual size is closer to 27 x 144 mm. They name the board based on the rough sawn size, not the finished one. Always work your measurements out using the actual size, or you’ll end up short. And no one wants to make a last-minute dash for more boards halfway through building.
FSC and PEFC Certified Timber
If your boards come stamped with FSC and PEFC labels, that's a good sign. It means the wood comes from properly managed forests. You get peace of mind knowing your wooden deck isn’t costing the earth more than it needs to.
Planning Your Deck and What You’ll Need to Build It Right
It's not as simple as slapping down a few boards and hoping for the best. Start with the right equipment and you’ll save yourself a lot of swearing later.
Wooden Decking Joists (C24 Rated Timber)
Your decking needs a strong skeleton underneath. That’s what joists do. You’ll want C24 graded timber for this. It's strong, reliable, and made to take the weight of everything you’ll pile on top. You don’t need to be an engineer to build a solid base, but you do need to get the joists right. If you cheap out here, you’ll know about it the first time you hear a worrying creak under your chair.
Wooden Decking Screws (Size Matters)
Screws might not be the most exciting part, but they’re what hold your deck together. Use proper decking screws. These are longer ones, approximately 2.5 times the length of your boards. Get the coated ones too. Green for timber decks usually works best. They’ll fight off rust and stop your boards working loose when the weather does its worst. If you have a mate help you (the sort who tightens everything within an inch of its life) they won’t split the wood if you use the correct screws.
Not everyone will want these, but if you are planning on making a fancy deck, you’ll need balustrades.
Spindles (the upright bits), rails (the horizontal bits), and newel posts (the chunky ones at the corners) all come together to build a barrier. It’s not just about safety either. A decent rail setup finishes a deck properly and makes it feel part of the garden, not something that's been plonked there.
Weed Membrane
Nobody wants dandelions punching through their perfect deck. Lay a good weed membrane under your decking frame before you start building. It’s affordable, easy to install, and saves on maintenance costs later. Less weeding, more relaxing. Simple.
Post Caps
Post caps are the little extras that make your deck look finished. Stick them on top of your newel posts and you’ll cover any rough cut ends while making the whole thing look tidier. Some are flat, some are shaped. Either way, it's like putting the cherry on a cake. Small thing, big difference.
Anti-slip Strips or Grip Paint
If you’re building steps or your decking gets shady and slippery, think about adding anti-slip strips or using grip paint. It's easy to do and stops people from ending up flat on their backs when the decks are a bit wet. Your future self will thank you.
Garden Decking Design Ideas for UK Gardens
Ground-level vs Raised Decking
A ground-level deck is easier to build. No complicated supports, no balancing acts. It’s perfect if you want a simple setting area without much fuss. Raised decking on the other hand, is a great fix if your garden is on a slope or your old patio looks like a plate of broken biscuits. It lifts everything up, levels it out, and gives you a better view of the chaos that is your lawn and garden.
Decking over Uneven Ground or Slopes
If you have a bumpy or sloping garden, then don’t panic. Decking can cover a mess quickly. With a properly built frame, you can float a flat deck over all sorts of wonky ground without endless digging or levelling. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a useless bit of garden usable again.
Adding Steps and Split Levels
If you go for a raised deck, you’ll probably need steps. You can buy pre-made stair kits or build your own with decking boards and joists. If you want a bit more style, split your deck into two or more levels with a step or two in between. It gives your garden a bit of drama without needing a water feature or a garden gnome collection.
Built-In Planters or Benches
You don’t have to stop at the floor. You can build planters straight into your decking for flowers, herbs, or even a sneaky gin and tonic bar. Benches are another great choice. Built-in seating.
Mixing Decking with Paving or Sleepers
Wooden Decking doesn’t usually cover the whole garden. You can mix it up with paving stones, gravel paths, or timber sleepers. It’s also a good place to add some plants in tubs or set up a BBQ.
Decking by Hot Tubs or Pools
If you have a hot tub or are planning on getting one, then decking is the perfect solution for a hot tub. It creates a clean, non-slip area to get in and out without dragging half the garden in with you. It's a lot better than slapping the hot tub down on some old paving slabs.
Decking Lights
Lights make a big difference once the sun drops. Solar lights are the quick win. No wiring, no fuss, and they bump up the energy bill. They charge up during the day and give you a nice soft flow at night. Wired lights, on the other hand, are brighter and better for steps or edges. If you’re planning evening BBQs or just want to stop guests tripping over your dog, they’re worth the effort.
Decking Rope for Style
If you want to give your ground-level deck a bit of an edge, then a rope barrier adds style without blocking the view. It’s not going to stop anyone from falling over, but it does look good, especially if your garden has a theme to it.
Wooden Decking Sizes. How Much Do You Need?
Decking looks simple when it's finished. Getting the maths right beforehand can be a different story. Here's how to make sure you buy what you actually need without running out halfway through.
How to Work Out Square Metres
Start by measuring the length and width of the area you want to deck. Multiply the two numbers together to get your total square metres. So if your decking area is 4m by 3m, that's 12m². Easy enough.
Most standard decking boards need about seven linear metres of board to cover 1 square metre of decking. This covers the gaps between the boards and the little bits you’ll trim off.
Why 38 x 150mm Really Means 257 x 144mm
This bit catches a lot of people out. Timber boards are measured before they’re planned and finished. So a board sold as 38mm thick and 150mm wide actually ends up closer to 27mm thick and 144mm wide once it's ready to use. Always plan using the finished size, not the one on the label. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a wonky deck or have to pick up more decking. Nobody wants that.
Choosing Between 3.6m and 4.8m Lengths
Decking boards often come in 3.6m or 4.8m lengths. Shorter boards are easier to handle and create more joins, which can look nice if you’re after a patterned deck. Longer boards give a cleaner look with fewer gaps. This is your call. Just remember that longer boards can be trickier to fit into the back of a small car. Our tip would be to let us deliver these to you.
Choosing Between 3.6m and 4.8m Lengths
Decking boards often come in 3.6m or 4.8m lengths. Shorter boards are easier to handle and create more joins, which can look nice if you’re after a patterned deck. Longer boards give a cleaner look with fewer gaps. This is your call. Just remember that longer boards can be trickier to fit into the back of a small car. Our tip would be to let us deliver these to you.
Working Out Joist Spacing
Joists are what stop your decking from feeling like a trampoline. Space them about 400mm apart for standard boards. Closer together if you want extra strength or if you’re using thinner boards. Good spacing spreads the load properly and keeps the boards from sagging when you start handing when the decking gets crowded, when you host a BBQ in the summer.
A Quick Tool Checklist
Before you start, grab some of the following tools. Some you might have to borrow from a friend.
When you go to some people's houses, their decking can look a bit of a mess. A bit of care now and then keeps it looking good and stops it from turning into a slippery disaster zone. Here’s what to do, without making it a headache.
Cleaning Without a Power Washer
You don’t need a jet engine on wheels to clean your decking. A stiff brush, a bucket of warm water, and some washing-up liquid will do the trick most of the time. Scrub in the direction of the boards and rinse them down. Done. If things are really grubby, a mild decking cleaner helps cut through the dirt without blasting the boards into next week.
Oil vs Stain. What's the difference?
Decking oil soaks into the wood and helps it last longer. It keeps the timber hydrated (yes, wood gets thirsty too) and prevents it from cracking or drying out. A stain, on the other hand, sits on top and changes the colour. It can give a bold finish, but won’t soak in like oil. If you want to protect the wood without altering its appearance too much, oil is your friend. If you’re going for a colour makeover, reach for a stain.
Moss and Green Slime
Unfortunately, we live in the UK, so with our wet climate, moss and green slime of sorts is always going to grow on the decking. Moss and algae love shady areas and wet weather. Scrape off anything loose, then scrub with a cleaner or a splash of vinegar and water. The sun can also fade your decking, which is normal as well. A fresh coat of oil or stain will bring it back to life without much effort.
A Quick Season Check Up
Look after your decking and it will last for years.
FAQs About Decking
Do you have questions about Decking? You’re not alone, and we have the answers. We have rounded up some of the most common questions and answered them in a straightforward, practical way to help you make the best choice for your fencing project.
Grooves help with grip. That's the main reason. They also let water run off, which can help the boards dry out quicker after rain. Some people also like how they look. Just don’t assume grooved boards are always the best, but smooth boards can also work really well, depending on the look you are after.
Most of the time, no. You can usually build decking without any issues as long as it's under 30cm high and doesn’t cover more than 50% of your garden (including other extensions). If you’re in a listed building or conservation area, you should always double-check. The last thing you want is for the council to send you a letter to take down your shiny new decking.
C24 graded timber is the one to go for when building the frame. It’s strong, reliable, and made to hold up against garden life. For the boards themselves, just make sure they’re pressure-treated and sold as suitable for outdoor decking. If it's labelled as softwood decking, you’re on the right track.
That's a good question, and one we're asked a lot. If it's treated properly and looked after, it should last anywhere between 10 and 15 years. Just keep it clean, re-oil or stain it each year, and don’t let moss or grime build up.
Yep, we gave you a rough guide of what's needed above. You don’t need to be a pro, but you will want some decent tools and a bit of patience. A raised deck is harder to build. If it's not for you, then reach out to us, and we can send around the experts to help you out.
Not really. Decking is built in place and fixed down tightly. You could take it apart, but theres a chance the boards won’t come up cleanly.
You can, but it's not always the best idea. Paint sits on top of the wood. It's therefore more likely to crack and peel. Oils and stains soak in and last longer. If you really want colour, go for a tinted decking stain instead.
You can…. But it won’t end well. The frame needs a solid, level base. Grass holds moisture and moves over time. This means your deck would be more likely to warp or have a jungle growing underneath it. Clear the area, lay a weed membrane, and use supports to lift the frame.
Take a look at our how to Look After Your Garden Decking Click the image below
Need More Help
We realise that our Decking buying guide buying guide is detailed but if you do have any extra questions, please contact us! Our expert team will be able to advise you on everything you need to know as you buy garden decking. you can contact us many different ways.
Phone: 01322-787312
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: WhatsApp Us
