Decking

It doesn’t feel natural opening a door and immediately walking down steps or a staircase.

Why choose decking over paving?

There are numerous scenarios where Decking provides the ideal solution to a garden. The most significant one is elevation changes. Elevation changes between the back of a house or building and down to the garden presents some challenges. 

Very uneven areas of a garden present their own obstacles as well, creating unusable space. Raising the garden area up to the doors required huge amounts of backfill if paving the area. 

In these situations Decking is the ideal solution. It brings two uneven areas to a level that feels comfortable. This is especially key where children and their grandparents are all using the area. Stepping outside onto a decked area solves the issue of comfort.

The next question is how to keep the area clean. We often get asked what decks have the best slip resistance, and our answer is always the same: the cleanest decks have the highest slip resistance. So the question really is, what decks are the easiest to keep clean?

Composite Decking or Wood Free Decking are certainly the easiest to keep clean. If there is a lot of debris dropping from trees nearby, then a broom or an electric blower works wonders clearing up dropped needles and leaves. Then once the debris is clear, a sponge mop and warm soapy water is enough to clean a new composite decking area. No pressure washing or heavy chemicals are needed. Provided you clean the deck once in a while, and you have chosen a trusted decking manufacturer for your decking, you will have a slip resistant deck.

Warranties and Guarantees?

Most decking manufacturers provide a guarantee for their decking. These generally cover the structural strength of the decking, specifically that the decking boards will not break. Some manufacturers also provide Fade guarantees that their decking will retain it’s colour for a certain amount of time in years. Faded composite decking can not be repaired to get the colour back. Once it has faded, it will remain that way. All of these guarantees are based on the assumption that the decking has been installed according to the manufacturers strict guidelines. If the decking has not been installed according to the manufacturers guidelines, warranties will not be honoured. Always ensure you have an accredited installer carry out your work, almost all manufacturers have an Approved Installer or Trained Installer program.

Oilcanfinish Outdoor Living currently recommends and installs 3 manufacturers of decking. This is based on extensive research on the manufacturers and their products, feedback from clients, feedback from other installers, our experience installing various decking projects, and research on failed decking projects where the customers have been let down and lost their decking investment prematurely.

If you are looking for a more natural product, Hardwood decking such as IPE or Yellow Balau are incredible materials to have in your garden project. Tropical Hardwood decking can last in excess of 40 years with the appropriate maintenance schedule.

If the budget doesn’t permit luxury Hardwood Decking or Premium Composite Decking, consider Trex Basics or Trex Enhance Naturals as the perfect solutions for Composite Decking from a trusted manufacturer, with a 25 year guarantee, at an extry-level price.

Please click through to take a look at some of our projects and get in touch to start the conversation with us. We will walk through the various advantages and strengths of each product, all decking frame options such as Timber, Composite, or Aluminium Decking frames, any Bearer systems you may need.

Low Maintenance Composite Decking and Wood Free Decking is available in a variety of colour options. These decks have an extensive service life well beyond softwood timber and require very little maintenance. Composite decking will not rot or crack and is not affected by moisture or wood boring insects providing a lasting option for your garden.

Our first choice for softwood decking is Jacksons Fencing Heavy Duty Decking boards. These come with a 25 year guarantee as well as a softwood price. If you do not need your decking to last 25 years, or would prefer a smooth finish vs ribbed, we would recommend Pressure Treated Redwood Decking. The next upgrade levels from these for softwoods would be Siberian Larch which has natural resistances to Fungus and Insect Attack in a similar way Cedar does, and of course Canadian Western Red Cedar Decking. If considering softwood decking, please bear in mind it may require more maintenance than other timber decking options.

Decking Builder Pricing

When planning your project, you will find Deck Builder pricing varies greatly which is primarily down to decking boards, frame, and the experience of the decking installers you are using. A significant part of Deck Builder pricing is the Deck Framing and the detail finishing you want. The Deck Framing is very important as you do not want your decking boards to outlast your frame. Read up on our Deck Framing options and email us or schedule a visit to discuss these options in more detail.

All of our decking quotes are fully itemised down to the last box of screws so you know exactly what materials are going under your new garden decking.


Decking Planning Permission

Putting up decking, or other raised platforms, in your garden is permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission, providing:

  • The decking is no more than 30cm above the ground
  • Together with other extensions, outbuildings etc, the decking or platforms cover no more than 50 per cent of the garden area.
  • None of the decking or platform is on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.

In certain areas, additional limitations apply:

  • In National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites the maximum area to be covered more than 20 metres from the house is limited to 10 square metres.
  • On Article 2(3) designated land* no decking or platform is permitted either side of the house.
  • Within the curtilage of a listed building, no decking or platform is permitted.

If the decking forms part of a larger piece of work (e.g. an extension with additional decking), then there may be different/further rules which apply to the entire development. These could mean planning permission or prior approval is required.

Please note: The permitted development allowances described here apply to houses and not to:

  • Flats and maisonettes (view our guidance on flats and maisonettes
  • Converted houses or houses created through the ‘permitted development’ rights for:
  • Other buildings
  • Areas where there may be a planning condition, Article 4 Direction or other restriction that limits permitted development rights.

Full details can be found by clicking here: Planning Portal

  • Trex Composite Decking in Wandsworth SW18
    This project started as a Decking replacement and quickly expanded to include other elements. The old hollow composite decking was faded and the frame had basically disintegrated in some places. The wooden posts which had supported it were so rotted out they had fallen to pieces. Rot Free Decking Subframe Supports Installation This project had … Read more
  • Trex Composite Decking in Wimbledon SW19
  • Wraparound Trex Composite Decking Project in Arundel
    This large project included 185 square metres of Trex Composite Decking, 85 linear metres of Ballustrades, over 100 lights, 3 staircases, and 2 Ramps and wrapped the deck all the way around this beautiful home in the Arundel countryside. We combined the attractive pricing of Trex Enhance Basics Decking for the main deck colour with … Read more
  • Millboard Enhanced Grain Composite Decking in Chiswick W4
    This high traffic area of the garden connects the main house and garden with the garage and primary entrance to the property. The old softwood timber deck was slightly under sized as the area against the brick perimiter wall was just a bit too small for all or the Recycling Bins making the area unsafe … Read more
  • Millboard Courtyard Decking in Wimbledon SW19
    This Courtyard Decking in Wimbledon SW19 required replacing due to a combination of factors. The previous wood plastic composite decking had been installed without any expansion gaps and was made using low quality decking. When low quality decking is manufactured it has the incorrect balance between wood and plastic and also low quality wood and … Read more
  • Millboard Balcony Decking in Wimbledon SW20
    This is a larger project where we have been contracted to remove the existing decking and frame completely, and build Millboard balcony decking including new footings, posts, bearers, frame as well as installing the Millboard Decking, Frameless Glass Ballustrades, and Staircase to the Garden. The project is in Wimbledon SW20. Phase 2, Day 10 | … Read more
  • Millboard Enhanced Grain Coppered Oak Decking Project Wimbledon SW19
    The client brief was to change their patio to something more usable. It was highly unlevel sloping significantly away from the house down to the lawn area. It was laid with paving slabs which were sitting on several different layers of concrete with some very old brick paving 20cm below the existing slabs. Oilcanfinish Outdoor … Read more
  • Trex Composite Decking Builder in Wimbledon SW18
    Oilcanfinish Outdoor Living are a TrexPro Gold Composite Decking Builder. This project was a replacement of an existing Timber Deck which had deteriorated over time. We expanded the footprint of the new deck to make the space more usable, bringing the decking out to the Fencing on either side to provide more space for furniture. … Read more
  • Composite Garden Bench Seating and Decking in Hampton TW12
  • Best Practice for building Timber Decking Frames in the UK
    Oilcanfinish Outdoor Living timber decking frames are built to last. In residential Decking Frame installations the project budget doesn’t always allow for aluminium decking frames, therefore we have developed a best practice for building timber decking frames in the UK to enhance timber decking frames which gives the homeowner a maximum return on their investment. … Read more
  • Composite Decking installed in Wimbledon SW19
    For this Trex Enhance Composite Decking installed in Wimbledon SW19 the client selected Oilcanfinish Outdoor Living, TrexPro Gold Approved Installers. We were replacing an old rotten timber deck which was unsafe. The clients wanted the low maintenance offered by composite decking combined with the Trex 25 Year Warranty. This decking can be cleaned with a … Read more
  • Timbertech Composite Decking Installed in Kew TW9
    For this installation we had 2 sections of decking to replace. The layout did not change dramatically, but we would be working with a rot free solution throughout. The lower section was a straight swap with a removal of decking and framing, and installing new composite framing, luxury Timbertech decking, and new lighting. The upper … Read more
  • Softwood Timber Decking installation in Thames Ditton KT7
    This Thames Ditton decking build was approximately 50 Square Meter, which is a medium sized decking project for us. The goal was to invest in a durable frame, within budget, and a smooth Redwood decking surface. The clients actively clean and oiled their last decking and kept it very tidy, however some of the softwood … Read more
  • Millboard Decking installation in Wandsworth SW11
    For this Millboard Decking installation in Wandsworth SW11 the clients selected Millboard Enhanced Grain decking in Antique Oak.  Millboard Enhanced Grain Wood Free Decking Board Colour: Antique Oak | Board Size: 176 x 3600 x 36mm The wider plank size offered by Millboard gives the boards a more plank-like appearance. Millboard can be installed with … Read more
  • Smooth Softwood Decking Install in Kingston KT1
    This garden had previously had various gravel areas behind the house and some areas of fairly old uneven concrete. The clients wanted a smooth surface across the width of the house for a safer and more usable space for the children and entertaining. We installed Smooth Redwood decking throughout the area and oiled it.  The … Read more
  • TrexPro Gold
    We are pleased to confirm Oilcanfinish Outdoor Living are a TrexPro Gold approved installer of Trex Composite Decking, Railing, and Lighting systems. TREXPRO® DECK INSTALLERS A TrexPro® deck installer carries public liability insurance as required where he conducts business. Additionally, TrexPro® Deck Installers complete installation and product training on all Trex products and successfully meet requirements to obtain … Read more
  • Trex Composite Decking installation in Richmond Upon Thames TW9
    The goal for this Trex Composite Decking installation in Richmond TW9 was to expand on the usable space, redefine the boundaries, and create a low maintenance garden ideal for entertaining and planting. We initially planned to install the fencing and decking and this expanded to include the raised beds and artificial turf. The materials selection … Read more
  • Commercial Decking Installation in Claygate
    This commercial composite decking installation in Claygate was for a Private School. The total size was approximately 100 Square Metres. It previously was a fairly unlevel patio with paving slabs. The steps were functional but unattractive. The brief was a 4mt deep deck all the way across the rear of the property, approximately 20mt incorporating … Read more
  • Trex Composite Decking Installation in Beckenham BR3
    This Trex Enhance Naturals Composite Decking Installation in Beckenham BR3 was a more complex Decking installation than the majority of projects due to the rather large Umbrella. Prior to installing the Decking we had to secure the large 6mt by 6mt Umbrella which would, when open, cover the entire area. The client had previously had … Read more
  • Millboard Decking Installation in Raynes Park SW20
    This Millboard Decking Installation in Raynes Park SW20 was a straight replacement of an existing deck. The old deck had started to bounce in sections and would quickly become unsafe. How we build Decking Frames The frame had began to rot and after 12 years was no longer supporting the Decking. On removal we found … Read more
  • Millboard Approved Installer for Wood Free Decking
    Our full team has joined the Millboard Approved Installer in depth training at their offices in Coventry. About Millboard Millboard is a family-run, British business founded in 1976 who specialise in luxury Decking and Cladding manufacturing as well as their own Aluminium Deck Framing System, Duospan, their own Composite Deck Framing system, and their own … Read more
  • Timber Decking installation in Twickenham TW2
    Our wonderful clients had a very not so wonderful deck in their rear garden. It was rotten and had several places where you could easily put your foot through it. The fence at the side had become one with the bushes. The main idea was a like for like replacement of the decking with something … Read more
  • Glass Ballustrade Decking Installation in Kingston Upon Thames KT2
    This project started with a new homeowner wanting to extend their decking in their rear garden. Although the decking boards themselves were Yellow Balau Hardwood, the frame was in need of some repairs and the staircase was simply unsafe. The project concluded with the client selecting this specific Glass Ballustrade Decking installation in Kingston Upon … Read more
  • Trex Composite Decking Installation in Epsom KT19
    This job was a straightforward Installation. The client had a paved patio that was highly uneven, had weeds growing through it, and also had a low brick wall between it and the rest of the garden. The Paving was below the Damp Proof Course on the home Brickwork, as it should be. It was also … Read more