www.glossopdecking.co.uk

A SELECTION OF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DO I NEED TO OBTAIN PLANNING PERMISSION?

Planning permission is only required -

Where the deck is situated within 20 meters of a road.
Where the deck platform is more than 300mm (12 inches) off the ground.
If the structure would affect the amenity value or privacy of neighbouring properties.
If the deck is attached to a listed building or situated in a conservation area or national park.
With the exception of ground level decks, it is advisable that property owners should check that planning regulations do not apply to their proposed structure. It is the customers responsibility to obtain planning permission if required.

DO BUILDING REGULATIONS APPLY?

Building regulations should be assumed to apply to every structure that requires planning permision.
In addition, other restrictions have been known to apply, including limitations to the overall deck area in relation to the existing property or garden area and the constraints of established building lines. For example, following the 1st of October 2008, surfaces, including decking, are not permitted to cover more than 50% of a property's garden.
It is recommended as well as contacting the Local Authority, neighbours who may be affected by the structure should also be informed. Neighbour objections are the usual reason for planning refusal or restrictions.

DOES TREATED TIMBER VARY IN COLOUR?

Freshly treated timber will have variations in colour between one piece and another. This is simply due to the natural properties of the wood and the fact that some pieces absorb more preservative than others. Once installed and exposed to the elements, the initial strength of colour fades to a warm, honey brown and in the long term will become a natural silver grey all over.

Remember, timber is a natural product and variations in character are to be expected. Occasionally timber containing high or mobile resin levels can give a blue/green colouration at the time of treatment. However this fades rapidly into it's overall natural colour.

ARE DECKS SLIPPERY IN WET WEATHER?

The key factor in preventing slippiness is to ensure that the deck surface is kept clean and surface deposits such as leaves, bird droppings and fine mosses are kept at bay as it is these deposits that cause the slippiness on any surface, even paving flags during wet weather.

It is recommended to give decked surfaces a frequent brush with a stiff brush and to give them a thorough clean at least once a year, preferably at the beginning of spring using either a high pressure jet wash or a purpose made deck cleaning product. There are also products on the market which can be applied to the decking surface to improve traction, such as Hickson decor antislip, which is a clear brush on aggregate coating.

DOES DECKING ATTRACT MICE AND RATS?

This is one of the very few questions that gardening professionals can't seem to agree an answer on. Some experts believe that decking provides an ideal home for rats and mice as the deck boards provide protection from the cold and rain whilst the small gaps allow the vermin to drag in leaves and garden waste in order to make bedding, whilst scraps from the BBQ provide an adequate food source.

On the other hand, others believe that the void underneath a decking area is one of the most inhospitable of places for mice and rats to make home due to water dripping through the deck boards in wet weather creating a damp and insecure environment.

There are many simple precautions that can be made to deter vermin, such as using an enclosed composter if applicable and ensuring that all garden rubbish is removed to make it more difficult for mice and rats to set up home.

However, mice and rats are very hardy and cunning creatures and no matter how many precautions are taken by the homeowner they will go where ever they want. An average sized mouse can compress its skull and body enabling it to squeeze through a 6mm gap, in other words, if you can poke a pencil in a hole a mouse can fit in that same space. A rat is capable of chewing through a wide variety of materials due to its immense biting power. For example a human has a biting force of 150 Pounds per Square Inch, a dog upto 750PSI, a croodile 5000PSI and a rat 7000PSI.

CAN DECKS BE INSTALLED ABOVE THE DAMP PROOF COURSE (DPC)?

The DPC is a horizontal barrier incorporated into a wall which is designed to prevent moisture rising through the structure by means of capillary action, in other words rising damp. This barrier must never be compromised! When Glossop Decking install decking adjacent to a wall it is usually kept below the external door threshold which is more often than not just underneath the DPC. The decking will not come into contact with the brickwork and a small gap will be left to aid drainage.

HOW DO I KEEP MY DECK LOOKING GOOD?

All decks will benefit from brushing with a stiff brush on a regular basis throughout the year. Twice a year, preferably in Spring and Autumn, it is recommended to give your deck a more thorough clean using a high pressure jet wash or a purpose made product like Ronseall decking cleaner and reviver which is formulated to remove dirt, grease and stains, and restore the look of the wood. Keeping the deck surface clean in this way not only keeps it looking like new it also reduces the conditions that cause any surface to be slippery when wet.

Unless a deck is treated with a UV stable wax coat or stain, the original colour of the timber used will fade gradually when exposed to the elements. Whether your deck is made from a deeply coloured hardwood or the more mellow hues of a softwood species it will fade over time to a pleasant and natural looking silver grey colour.

Timber is a natural product and as your deck weathers, small cracks are most likely to appear on the surface of the boards and handrails throughout the summer months. These are caused by intermittent wetting and drying and are part of the character of wood, they have no structural effect whatsoever and will reduce again during the colder and wetter months. The deck boards may also expand and contract throughout the different seasons, possibly creating narrower or wider gaps than when originally installed. Again this is a natural characteristic of exposed timber and has no adverse structural effects.

Please see the 'maintenance' page for further details.

CAN I STAIN MY DECKING?

If you wish you can stain your decking any colour you want but make sure a good quality branded stain is used as it should be more durable than the cheaper products. The main benefit of using a wood stain is that it blocks the greying effects caused by ultra violet light. Due to the water repellent properties of newly installed decking it is best to use an organic solvent based product rather that water based, which may not adhere to the timber surface and over time flake off. Please bear in mind though, if you do stain your decking it will take a lot more time and effort to keep the timber looking its best, it will need to be restained once a year, possibly even more frequently on heavy foot traffic areas.

Under no circumstances should varnish be used to treat decking, as over time the sunlight will cause the varnish to yellow and eventually flake off.

Glossop Decking recommend that the decking is left as nature intended as it will blend in better with the natural surroundings of your garden and is much easier to maintain. However if you decide to apply a wood stain we suggest the stain is applied when the timber is fully dry following a thorough clean with a pressure washer.

WHY IS RESIN COMING OUT OF THE TIMBER?

Some types of timber contain a resin that may leak from the surface of the timber in hot weather and create rings of crusty white / cream powder around knots in the timber. This resin is not harmful in any way at all and can be removed from the surface of the timber with a stiff brush. It is unlikely that resin will continue to leak after the deck has been through its first summer.

WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HARDWOOD AND SOFTWOOD?

Contrary to popular belief the difference is nothing to do with the strength or density of the wood, for example balsa wood is one of the weakest types of wood but falls under the category of hardwood. The diference is to do with the plant reproduction, all trees reproduce by producing seeds, but this seed structure varies. Hardwoods are angiosperms, plants that produce seeds with some kind of covering and Softwoods are gymnosperms, plants that produce seeds without a covering. Its fair to say that evergreens are Softwoods and deciduous trees are Hardwoods. Generally Hardwoods are more expensive to purchase than Softwoods and generally require more maintenance.

ARE THE TREATMENTS USED IN PROTECTING THE TIMBER HARMFUL?

Not at all, decking is completely safe for children, pets, plants etc. The treatment is injected into the structure of the timber whilst in a vacuum and during the process is locked in preventing egress at a later date.

CAN I ONLY ENJOY MY DECKING DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS?

No, decks are not like garden furniture that has to be packed away each winter and brought out again in the spring, they can be used all year round. Wet, muddy grass can be an issue for many homeowners during the autumn and winter, and this can be overcome with the use of decking. Decks are a great place for children to play during the winter months as they are free from mud and dirt.

HOW MUCH WILL MY DECKING COST?

As you can imagine every single project is different, which is why the costs involved vary so much. A 500sq foot, multi level area complete with steps, lights and handrails will cost significantly more than a basic 100sq foot deck. The only way to find out how much your project will cost is to contact Glossop Decking to arrange your free, no obligation quotation. A decking area can usually be designed around your budget, no matter how big or small.

HOW LONG WILL MY DECKING LAST?

This all depends on how well you take care of your decking. On completion we will offer you aftercare advice and on following this advice you will enjoy your decking for many years to come. To ensure it lasts as long as possible we use only the best materials. All the timber used is treated by the manufacturer before delivery and all fixings used are stainless steel or coated high grade steel to ensure maximum corrosion resistance. The manufacturers are that confident in the quality of their decking that they provide a 20 years warranty, full details can be found on the 'warranty' page.

CAN I INSTALL A HOT TUB ON MY DECKING?

As Garden Decking becomes more popular so do the accessories that acompany, the most luxurious of all has to be a Hot Tub!

An average sized 4 seater hot tub weighs approximately 150kg - 200kg so a standard designed deck will support the weight but once the hot tub is filled with water and people that weight can increase 10 fold which would prove to much for the decking structure. Some larger hot tubs can weigh as much as 10,000kg which would ideally require a structural engineer involving at the design stage.

When installing a strengthened deck all aspects of the design will change, for example the way the joist are attached to the support posts and the type of fixings used. Foundations will be dug out deeper and wider incorporating the use of solid concrete blocks, post and joist size are increased by approximately 50%.

Additional structures can also be incorporated into the design of the hot tub deck such as pergola's or sun screens, which as well as being asesthetically pleasing will assist in providing privacy whilst relaxing in your speedo's!

Glossop Decking do not supply or install hot tubs but can suggest local suppliers who can deliver and install the hot tub on your newly installed garden deck. If you are stuggling to source a hot tub or encounter any problems during the process then please contact us and we will endeavor to assist.

WHERE CAN I OBTAIN FREE IMPARTIAL ADVICE?

You can visit the timber decking associations website who are a technical and advisory organisation that provides guidance on the materials and practises required to create high quality decks and associated structures. For general information about timber products you can visit the Timber Research and Development Association's website. Please click on the images below.