Softwood or hardwood?
Pressure-treated softwood
The most popular and affordable decking. We use pressure-treated boards and joists that resist rot and insects, and it takes paint or stain in any colour, so it's easy to match to your house or fence. Look after it and it will give you many years of use.
Hardwood
Denser, heavier and naturally more durable, with a rich grain that softwood can't match. It costs more, but it lasts longer and feels solid underfoot. A coat of decking oil keeps the colour; left alone it weathers to a silver-grey.
What we build in timber
- Ground-level and raised decks, including over steep or rough ground
- Corner and angled decks for awkward plots
- Steps, landings and spindle balustrades
- Built-in benches, corner seating and planters
- Pergolas and privacy screens to match the deck
- Painting and staining as part of the job
Built to last, not just to look good on day one
A timber deck lives or dies by its frame and its drainage. We build on pressure-treated joists over a weed membrane, leave gaps between boards for water to run off, and keep airflow underneath, so the timber dries out between showers instead of sitting wet. That's the difference between a deck that lasts and one that's soft in a few years.
Looking after a timber deck
- Brush off leaves and debris regularly so water can drain.
- Give it a clean each spring to stop algae building up.
- Repaint or re-treat every 2 to 5 years, depending on exposure.
- Check fixings and handrails once a year.
Prefer something you don't have to maintain? Take a look at composite decking.