The clients wanted a decking material which would be low maintenance, easy to clean, and would last. Rooftop Terrace projects are not small ticket property investments so they wanted something which would last, to avoid having to replace it again. This is where selecting your decking brand you install becomes very important. While numerous manufacturers have good looking decking, the question is always how long will it look like its new?

The colour scheme is one part of the equation. This rooftop deck has some fencing along one side which is hardwood, and has been weathered and silvered from UV light. So that leaves a natural grey colour on one side.

How to choose your Decking Board Colour?

First the clients considered what colours they already had on their rooftop terrace.The steel fencing at the back of the rooftop is black iron. The third side of the roof deck had Jacksons Fencing Tongue and Groove Panels painted white, and the front brick wall is finished with white rendering. So our colours before we start are White, Black, and natural Silver. The planting features multiple natural Green and Grey Shades from the Olive Trees and the Bamboo in Planters.

The two main colour options for most decking are shades of brown in Earth Tones replicating new Timber of various types, or Grey tones. Their are also some modern dark woods tones which replicate Shou Sugi Ban, charred Cypress, and light White and Light Grey tones which are designed to give a neutral, coastal vibe.

Each colour has its place, but also has maintenance requirements with mid greys and browns being the best at hiding dirt between cleanings. Anyone who has ever had a dark timber floor installed or very light coloured flooring knows every single speck of dust and dirt shows up immediately so they require constant cleaning to maintain the immaculate appeaeance, while mid-tones minimise this.To best pair with the existing colour of the silvered hardwood, the clients selected Trex Lineage Biscayne. This selection means the flooring on their roof terrace would blend well with the existing colour scheme versus adding a new colour or clashing with the existing colours. For this reason, along with its industry-leading 50 year guaranter, Trex Lineage Biscayne decking boards are our most popular colour for the past few years.

Trex Composite Bench Seat | Design Elements

The main feature of this deck is bench seating. There are four sides to this rooftop deck. The side to the front has a wall which has white rendering. The side to the rear has an Iron Fence. On one side there is Jacksons Fencing Tongue & Groove Panel Fencing to a height of 1.2mt. This leaves one side remaining. The remaining side has a low parapet wall, and the back of the neighbors hardwood fence.

The client wanted to hide the unattractive parapet wall to make the entire area attractive.The solution was to build a frame over the parapet wall and clad it in decking. We proposed making the elevation of the cladding at chair or bench height so it becomes a multi-purpose bench seat when needed, or a platform for planter beds. At this height, a dining table could easily sit parallel to the bench to provide plenty of seating. The main idea here is combining the design element with multi-purpose functionality use cases.

Rooftop Terrace

When carrying out rooftop terrace projects, certain building codes are required in the planning and construction phase.

Ballustrades and Barriers must be 1.1mt height from the decking surface if the decking is more than 600mm from the ground. In this case our steel Fence is over 1.1mt height. The front area of the rooftop deck has a brick wall as the barrier.

All decks on residential buildings over 18 meters high from the ground must use materials with an A1 or A2 fire rating, meaning they must be non-combustible or have limited combustibility. In this case our deck is below 18 mt from the ground level so this does not apply.

Visit our Balcony and Terrace page for more information and case studies.

Visit our Decking Centre to get started on your project.

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When I first went to this Nine Elms project I actually wasn’t sure if Oilcanfinish should bid for it. It was a wonderful area, and the clients gave us a realistic budget to work with, however the obstacles were significant.In total it was 60 Square Meters of decking to be replaced. The project comprised 3 balconies (2 balconies, 1 terrace actually). The flat was on the 9th floor. The parking garage has a 2mt clearance, meaning all materials would be delivered, and all waste had to be moved, not only down 9 stories but also across the rather large underground parking lot and outside the building.

The main two concerns were fire rating and project logistics of materials handling.

A1 Fire Rated Decking

In the post-Grenfell Tower era, Fire Ratings matter. They always should have, but most people ignored them primarily in an effort to reduce costs.Currently, if your project is over a certain height from the ground, it must have an A1 Fire Rating for both the decking, the framing, and the pedastals or supports. The only materials which achieve this rating are Steel, Stone, and Fibre Cement. No timber or composite decking or cladding has an A1 Fire Rating.

The client still wanted a Deck-like appearance, so Porcelain Planks is what we proposed with an Alumimium Subframe. Aluminium decking boards was also a compliant option, however we did not see anything visually appealing, and for this type of property, appearance matters.

Materials Handling and Deliveries/Removals

This was a question of labour. Scaffolding was not an option, and it is too high for cranes, so it meant manually shifting 360 porcelain planks at 15kg each up to the 9th floor in small batches. Same with the much lighter Aluminium Framing all of which was too long to fit into the elevator so each joist had to be cut to fit the elevator, then reconnected into its former length once upstairs. Also, all of the old decking waste had to be bagged and taken down the same way.

Porcelain Decking

We have been watching the market for A1 Fire Rated decking products from different manufacturers of Steel decking but have never found one which looks like it would fit into the properties of our clientele. The appearance of steel decking is industrial, walking on the boards is noisy, and it gets very hot underfoot.

Clients in upper floor flats in Nine Elms, Chelsea, and Battersea and the surrounding areas prefer something a bit more refined and have a certain style expectation, specifically that their interior flooring style is extended outside to their terrace or balcony.

Porcelain is a different story than steel decking as the appearance is consistent with what they already have in their kitchens and bathrooms, but a porcelain decking board, or plank, with a woodgrain finish is the best of both worlds.

Go back to other options for Oilcanfinish Balconies

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This Composite Decking project in West Hampstead NW6 included the installation of Trex Composite Decking. Oilcanfinish also built a custom balcony and staircase using Composite decking in combination with Hardwood Ballustrades and Posts. We also cladded the sides of the staircase, making the area under the stairs a storage shed to to provide usable storage space, always a premium in London gardens.

The Bespoke Hardwood Ballustrades were also manufactured and installed by Oilcanfinish Outdoor Living.

The client was looking for a low maintenance option which blended over time with its natural surroundings. All timber turns silvers over time due to UV Light from the sun. Matching this silvered timber with a low maintenance composite decking colour is easy with Trex as they have 2-3 board options from their Signature, Transcend Lineage, and Enhance Naturals ranges designed specifically to maych this colour.

Decking Products selected

The client selected Trex Transcend Lineage composite decking in the colour Biscayne for their Upper Balcony and Staircase. 

For the lower level decking, the client selected Trex Enhance Naturals composite decking in the colour Toasted Sand. 

For the Ballustrades, the client selected a tropical hardwood, we installed Sapelle Posts, Handrail and Baserails, and Spindles.

Over time, UV Light will turn the ballustrades silver making them a perfect match with the Trex Lineage Biscayne decking.

Framing & Simpsons Strong Tie

We have a set system for installing balconies based on strict building standards in North West USA which are more specific than the UK. It specifically enhanced the Post and Bearer sections of the build. Our posts do not go into the ground, they go onto a freshly poured concrete footing and are attached with Simpson Strong Tie Post Shoes which elevate the post off the concrete pad to allow water to drain off. This increases the length of service for the post. 

The second element is to rest our double bearers on top of the posts to force the weight transfer down the length of the post to the concrete pad. To do this we notch the top of our posts to slot in our double bearers. Side mounted framing timber (screwed or bolted to the side of the posts) forces the weight onto the screw itself, not down the post. If you screw fails, the whole project fails. No side mounted bearers are permitted.

So no posts installed into the ground, and all posts and bearers are connected to the frame using Simpson Strong Tie steel structural brackets and post shoes.

Oilcanfinish Outdoor Living are TrexPro Platinum level installers, the highest level within the Trex Approved Installer program.

Visit our main Balcony & Terrace Decking Page for more case studies.

Visit Trex UK for more decking ideas

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The new deck was raised up so that the deck was level with the garage door drip trays and also extended about 30cm further into the garden. These two changes required an additional step. 

We also added new deck lighting to increase the visibility of the steps on this High traffic area.

Millboard Enhanced Grain Decking in Lastagrip

The clients specified Millboard Decking for its appearance and low maintenance requirements. They Enhanced this by selecting Lastagrip due to its enhanced slip resistance underfoot. 

Timber Decking Joists with a 25 Year Guarantee

The Framing is made from Use Class 4 Timber joists from Jacksons Fencing which come with their own 25 year service life guarantee. This is the only timber available in the UK which comes with a guarantee from the manufacturer, which is why we always recommend it. To enhance this timbers resilience we taped the top of the Joists with Decking Tape.

All materials for this project come with a 25 Year Guarantee right down to the Timber Decking Joists. We always try to extend the life of deck projects as it is very rare when premium Decking Boards fail but very common for timber frames

Millboard PlasPro Composite Posts

The frame is elevated off the ground with Millboard PlasPro 100x100mm Composite Posts. These posts are not susceptible to rot in any way. The deck is a platform, unconnected to the building itself with a small 4mm cavity between the building drip tray and the decking and Frame allowing rain water to pass by the decking Boards and frame preventing water from standing on the decking Joists closest to the building, where they often fail prematurely.

Jacksons Fencing Wheelie Bin Store

For the Recycling Bins, we built two Double Wheelie Bin Stores, also from Jacksons Fencing. These timber storage units have doors which open from the front for removal, and also the top for adding waste into the bins. 

Explore the Millboard range

Explore the Oilcanfinish Decking Range

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The client had previously had paving installed on the patio and steps and the Umbrella had been cemented in, however the Umbrella stand was not deep enough into the ground and the wind shifted the base, damaging the paving.

6mt x 6mt Large Umbrella Concrete Base

We removed all of the paving, and dig out a 1mt x 1mt x 75cm deep square. We attached a post extension to the Umbrella, and concreted in the Post Extension, leaving a tunnel for the electrical cabling which powered the built in Umbrella heaters and lighting. This concrete cube was reinforced with Reinforcing Steel Mesh to ensure it doesn’t crack over time.

Millboard Composite Decking Frame and Millboard Duolift Risers

Then we had to level the area, add MOT and compact it down where needed, and then build our Decking subframe. 

To match the lip of the new bi-fold doors we needed a low profile solution, which also would not rot. We went with Millboard 50×50 Composite Joists set into Millboard Duolift Riser system. This system is completely rot proof. For the steps we used Millboard 50×125 Composite Joists with Spax 8x100mm Washer Head Screws recessed into the composite joists to allow for flush fixing on Fascia Boards.

Trex Enhance Naturals Decking Boards in Calm Water

For the Decking, the client wanted a dark grey, easy to clean and maintain, and scratch resistant. We recommended Trex Enhance Naturals in Calm Water installed with hidden Trex Clips to minimise visible screw heads for a contemporary finish.

The client now has an easy to clean and maintain area with no worries about joist rot as well as Decking which comes with a 25 year guarantee. 

A guarantee which matches nicely with his Jacksons Fencing 25 year guarantee which we installed a few years ago.

This job was a bit outside our standard coverage area, however for the right project we are willing to travel. Get in touch using the form below if you require our premium services outside of the Surrey region for your installation.

The post Trex Composite Decking Installation in London appeared first on Oilcanfinish Outdoor Living.

This Canadian Western Red Cedar Slat Screen Fence project began once the clients completed the house extension and inside works with bifold doors leading onto their new porcelain patio and raised wraparound beds. The only item left to finish the view was the slat panel fencing on either side. This modern landscaping fencing project was a good example of how to finish the back drop of a typical london garden. The garden benefits from a brick feature wall at the rear of the property.

We built a Frame which is attached to the concrete posts, and installed slat fencing on both sides to complete the finished look inside and out.

The materials selected for this bespoke slat fence installation was Canadian Western Red Cedar. This softwood has natural colour variations of reds, oranges, and browns which soften the square appearance of these types of gardens and also blend naturally into the environment the way one solid colour never can achieve. 

Properly installed and maintained, Canadian Western Red Cedar is one of the few softwoods which has a usable life of over 50 years. It will naturally turn silver over time unless oiled regularly. To achieve this type on lifespan stainless steel screws and nails must be used and the wood must be kept clear of topsoil and have clear air flow around all pieces.

If you are looking for a slat fence appearance but the cost of cedar doesnt fit your budget, good alternatives to Cedar are Siberian Larch slats or Redwood slats for your Slat Screen Fence project. If using Redwood we recommend painting them a solid colour to provide them with protection from the elements. Larch and Redwood will not last as long as Cedar, however it is reasonable to expect them to last 20 years for Larch and 15 Years for Redwood if installed and maintained correctly. 

Note the Planed Redwood we use to achieve 15 Years comes from 2 specific suppliers who have a proprietary wood treatment process achieving Use Class 4 wood protection. Standard Redwood treated to Use Class 3 will last a maximum of 7-10 years installed outside if Pressure Treated, 4-7 years if Dip Treated.

Champion Timber supplied the Canadian Western Red Cedar materials for this project: https://www.championtimber.com/

Looking for other Fencing options? Visit https://oilcanfinish.com/modern-landscaping-kingston-upon-thames/services/fence-contractor-in-kingston-and-wimbledon/

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