Decking help - which boards and why!

Sam Jesson

Hi,

Does anyone have any advice as to which decking boards are best to use? Factoring wear/slippage/appearance/cost. I like the look of the smooth boards but something tells me the boards which have grooves might help them to be more grippy? or do they just add more places for fungi and and dirt to settle?

Many thanks,

Sam

pansyface

Grooves make no difference whatsoever to the degree of slipperiness. Wet decking is lethal.



If you can afford it, go for something like this



http://www.gripdeck.co.uk



If not, paint it with anti slip paint on a regular basis.

Sam Jesson

Thanks, that's very helpful. Another option I was thinking was to lay a stone path through the deck.

Dave Morgan

http://www.tda.org.uk

Have look here for some advice Sam, there's so much out there now, I've seen some great deck made from pallets though.

Artylive

Hi Sam, Skip the decking if you can.  It needs constant care and attention to keep it looking good.  Is prone to fading unless you treat it yearly which is expensive.  Also is lethal in the winter - very slippery.  I have removed mine!  Replaced with crazy paving and much happier.  Cheaper, cleaner and safer.  Costs more initially but minimal maintenance so in the long term works out cheaper.  I have just moved into a house with paving.  Avoided houses with decking because you don't know what's underneath! 

Sam Jesson

Thanks for your responses, I've tried to persuade them to get paving but they're fixed on decking! Hopefully ecodeck will prove to be worthwhile!

NewBoy2

At our allotment we have had to add non slip strips some 12 inches long as we have had several accidents

decking is a current fad and is prone to attracting rats as it provides shelter underneath espescially if there is a supply of water and food nearby

Lyn

If you do go for decking, make sure you lay it so you can get plenty of rat poison under, they love it.