Decking

Decking has picked up a bad name in Ireland during the boom, mostly because it was installed where it was not necessary, and secondly because of the maintenance required to keep it.

Decking is the ideal choice of material to create a hard surface where the gradient of the garden is acute i.e a sloping site. Also because a deck can be constructed to any elevation, it’s a good choice to maintain the floor level from inside the house to outside if the there is a big difference in heights.

Decking materials come in soft and hard woods, and also synthetic composites. The soft woods are the cheapest, but don’t last as long as hardwoods. Both these options require regular cleaning, and treatment with oils or preservatives. However, wood does provide a natural feel underfoot, and in appearance. Composites on the other hand, have a very long lifetime, and require no treatments other than washing.

Recessed lighting in decks is relatively easy to install, and like all garden lighting, extends the use of the garden both practically and visually.

Retro fitted anti slip strips, recently new to the market, are a quick method of ensuring safety, if regular maintenance is an issue.

Projects using Decking

White Render

Instead of painting walls and raised beds, white render gives a permanent colour, some even incorporate fungicide to deter green algae discolouration.

Dartry Deck

The louvre effect screen here, allows the view/light in but only from a certain angle, ie no eyecatching from the neighbours! Also the wind can pass through. The elevated deck edge allows you to touch the trees. The tensioned stainless steel wire is attractive in itself. The composite deck keeps maintenance at bay. Steel RSJ […]

Hardwood Table

Folding hardwood table

Decking board screen

Gentle Curve

This long curving path in gold granite cobble, is repeated in the planting, as bands of colour on the same pathway.

3D Drawings

Some sample drawings, some in final draft , others in blue tone, are at layout stage, where choice of material is yet to be chosen.

White Render

Instead of painting walls and raised beds, white render gives a permanent colour, some even incorporate fungicide to deter green algae discolouration.

Reclaimed brick patio

This striking urban garden has reclaimed brick as the dominant feature along with architectural planting. The herringbone pattern of the paving zigzag-ed around garden allowing pockets for the planting to creep into the gaps. Timber lattes painted black give an interesting texture to the boundaries, and also disguise an ugly wall with many […]

Balbriggan Modern garden

This pergola bench bed, is the centre piece of this contemporary garden. The raised bed was a single pour concrete shuttered job, with the steel supports for the floating bench set during the pour. The seat is of larch timber, as is the pergola. The paving is Saigon blue limestone with silver granite cobbles as […]