Composite
The low maintenance option. Won't fade much, won't rot, no annual oiling. Costs more than timber upfront but less over time. Trex and Millboard are the main brands we use.
All ranges of decking from wood to composite, built on a proper frame so it stays level for years.
Decking is one of those jobs where the difference between a good job and a bad one is invisible until two winters in. Cheap decking sags, splits along the boards, and starts to rot at the joist contact points within a few years. Done properly, with a treated timber frame at the right joist spacing and the right fixings, it stays level and usable for a decade plus.
We check ground levels, soil type, and whether the area drains. Decking on boggy ground needs extra prep.
Pressure treated C24 timber, joists at 400mm centres for softwood and 350mm for hardwood. Joist hangers and noggins where they need to be.
Boards laid with a 5mm to 8mm gap depending on material, screwed (never nailed) into every joist. Cuts sealed where they need to be.
Skirting fitted around the frame so you can't see the joists, and any steps or balustrade trimmed in. If softwood, a first coat of oil at the end.
Quotes are itemised, but here's what moves the number up or down.
For honest indicative ranges, see the pricing guide.
A 15 to 20 square metre ground-level deck takes three to five working days. Raised decks with balustrade and steps run a week to ten days.
Composite needs nothing more than a brush and a wash. Hardwood, leave it alone if you like the silvered look or oil annually if you want to keep the colour. Softwood needs cleaning and re-oiling every two to three years to stay looking good.
Highly recommended! Alfie and his friend changed our fences and did a fantastic job. They were efficient, quick, hardworking and the price was very reasonable. Really pleased with the result. Thank you again.
Alfie and his team did a great job replacing our back fence. It was mess due to neighbours trees and rubbish pushing up against the wood panels. They cleared everything up and ensured nothing putting pressure against the new fence. They worked fast, removed all rubbish, and well priced. The fence looks fantastic. We will be using his services again, highly recommend.
Alfie and his team were great, we used them to install a new fence, gate, and also box in our hot tub, he was flexible, communicative, and professional, everything that was promised was delivered to an excellent standard.
I had 15 fence panels, 11 concrete posts and 15 concrete bases fitted by Alfie and his team, very lovely men the quality of work was amazing all waste taken away after they had finished. Very professional I am very happy with the work.
I had 3 fence panels and 2 fence posts fitted. Very happy with the work done. Very professional and polite. Price was very competitive and they took away all the old panels etc and left no mess at all. Would definitely recommend.
We used Alfie and team for a few fence replacements and I would recommend them. Good communication and friendly. Attention to detail was good which adds extra trust.
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Composite if you don't want to think about maintenance for fifteen years. Timber if you're happy to oil it once a year or like the way real wood weathers. Both look great when fitted properly.
Composite twenty years plus, hardwood twenty, treated softwood ten to fifteen if you maintain it. The frame underneath outlasts the boards if it's pressure treated and ventilated.
All decking gets slippery when wet, especially under shade. Composite tends to be marginally better than timber. Grooved boards help slightly. The real fix is a yearly clean to stop algae building up.
If the deck is more than 300mm above ground level, or it covers more than half your garden, you might need permission. Most ground-level decks fall under permitted development. We'll flag anything borderline.
Yes, but the deck surface needs to sit at least 150mm below the damp proof course, with a gap behind it for ventilation. Otherwise you get damp issues against the wall.
Sometimes yes, if the patio is structurally sound. The frame sits on rubber pads on the existing surface. It saves on demolition costs and protects the patio underneath.
Site visits are free, no pressure. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll come round at a time that suits.