The Decking Guide: Getting your Garden Summer Ready
If you are building a standard decking frame which will have a table and chairs sat on it 4 x 2/ 95mm x 45mm (fin size) timber would be sufficient enough, however if you are looking to build a decking frame that can hold a substantial amount of weight, a better option would be to use 5 x 2 / 120mm x 45mm (fin size) or 6 x 2 / 145mm x 45mm (fin size).
To build a decking frame you can either use C16 graded joists or C24 - if you are looking to build a frame that can hold a high volume of weight we would suggest to use C24 joists as this is generally used for products that require more strength, and is a better quality product as it's premium graded.
C24 timber is generally a better choice as it has less knots and defects so the overall appearance of the product is higher, but if you are on a budget C16 joists are also a popular option.
The average lifespan of a wooden decking can be anywhere between 10-25 years. If you give your wooden decking the right care and maintenance the lifespan of the product can be extended. Factors such as fungi, improper cleaning and over excessive moisture can cause the lifespan of your decking to decrease. In order to avoid having to replace your decking more often than 15-25 years, you should cover your decking when you know there will be a huge downpour of rain and snow, and make sure that you treat your decking with products such as Ronseal to enhance the protection barrier.
Yes, plywood can be used for decking, however it can't be standard softwood/hardwood plywood, as normal plywood is only made up 4-5 layers of wood. Therefore, you would need to use a plywood that can withstand moisture such as marine plywood. Marine plywood is used in decking as it's 7-8 layers thick and the epoxy glue used is waterproof. Standard plywood has spaces between the layers which can allow moisture to seep into if exposed by cutting whereas marine plywood is made with no gaps/voids in the layers of the structure.
No. Composite decking cannot be installed over plywood and is not recommended as the foundations could have been attacked by factors such as dry rot which can cause the plywood frame to be inadequate. It is recommended if you are placing composite decking down to build a structure using joists, landscape fabric and an aggregate such as gravel or shingle which has to be levelled out to support the joists and preserve the timber frame.
The best hardwood timber to use for decking projects are timbers such as:
Oak
Siberian Larch
European Redwood
Western Red Cedar
Oak is often the chosen timber as it has a pleasing appearance however the cost of oak can be very expensive so you might want to consider an alternative if you are on a budget.
On average you should re-treat your decking every 1-2 years to maintain the condition and longevity of the timbers lifespan. You should wash your decking thoroughly with warm soapy water and a soft brush before applying the decking oil/decking treatments. If you use a high quality decking oil you shouldn't have to re-treat the decking every year.
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