Decking rescue
- Thread starter Maccapacca
- Start date
Soldato
@Maccapacca what did you go with in the end? Or did you rip it out and replace it with composite? 
I do like real wood, but I think for decking i'm going to go with composite. If you weigh up the cost of decking stripper, oil/stain every year for the life of the deck, I bet composite works out a lot cheaper in the long run, not to mention no maintenance needed.
I do like real wood, but I think for decking i'm going to go with composite. If you weigh up the cost of decking stripper, oil/stain every year for the life of the deck, I bet composite works out a lot cheaper in the long run, not to mention no maintenance needed.
@MarkA I ripped it all out and laid a stone patio, much better I hate decking with a passion 
you can see it here 
you can see it here 
Caporegime
Good shout, I had decking in my last house, never again. We have lots of patio at our new house now, it's much better. My dog doesn't constantly have to monitor the deck for rodents as well.
Associate
Associate
Best way to treat decking is with a gallon of petrol and a box of matches. You only have to apply it once, then you never need to touch it again.
+1 for patios
+1 for patios
Soldato
Patios are all very well when you've got a nice flat surface to put it on. Decks can go anywhere. +1 for decks.
Anyhoo, Screwfix 'no nonsense' deck seal works quite well. Give the deck a good blast with the pressure washer, two or three coats with your choice of colour and an extra coat of clear sealant. Looks good all year.
Anyhoo, Screwfix 'no nonsense' deck seal works quite well. Give the deck a good blast with the pressure washer, two or three coats with your choice of colour and an extra coat of clear sealant. Looks good all year.
Caporegime
Soldato
- Joined
- 30 Sep 2005
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Yep, had decking.....hate decking.
Can't understand painting/oiling the top when the underside and frame will still rot. Plus, decking paint/oil is expensive.
Do yourself a favour this summer. Rip it all up and get someone to lay block paving.
Can't understand painting/oiling the top when the underside and frame will still rot. Plus, decking paint/oil is expensive.
Do yourself a favour this summer. Rip it all up and get someone to lay block paving.
Soldato
No flat surface? No problem
I see you are still using timber to cover up your stone edge. That garden isn't exactly a hill. Try laying a patio when your builder decided to comply with stupid laws and put in a ramp for disabled access to the back doors.
Caporegime
- Joined
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seems like decking is a bit like conservatories. people get them done then realise it was a pointless endeavor as they are useless and long term the more expensive option would have been much better (proper extension and composite / stone / astro turf).
Soldato
The wood 'shouldn't' rot for at least 15 years if it was properly pressure treated. The problem is a lot of decking isn't and looks like they have just quickly dipped it in the treatment to make it go green. If you buy decking from a proper garden timber place that supplies to the trade then you will notice that the wood weighs a ton as it's saturated with the treatment, but decking from places like B&Q weighs a lot less and when you cut into the timber you can see the green tantalising has hardly soaked in at all. This is especially apparent on the framing timbers, which are also made from spruce, which will rot in no time if not treated properly. Also when laying decking hardly anyone treats the cut ends and these are the areas most susceptible to rot. The oil/stain is just to make it look pretty and is mainly just to stop standing water soaking in and to block uv as the sun will turn the wood grey in no time.
Its a shame cedar and teak are so expensive as they would be far better suited to decking in our climate, being rot resistant timbers. Composite wont rot, but the frame timber still will if it hasn't been treated properly. A patio is definitely the best solution, but theres something nice about a deck.
Deleted member 66701
D
Deleted member 66701
Keep the fish in the pond and off the deck and you'll be fine.
Deleted member 66701
D
Deleted member 66701
Haha - we use our conservatory year round and it opens up onto the decking, which we use regularly as well - I like o sit on the lounger or swing seat while reading academic papers and we have at least one BBQ a week from April through to October. Great space for entertaining as well.
Caporegime
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- 21 Jun 2006
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- 38,367
i'm just going off what the majority end up doing.
next door neighbour - decking ruined
mates house i was at the weekend - decking ruined
my house - i've tried to rescue it to the point i know i'll get 5 years out of it before i likely need to get rid. rot had already set in 2 years ago when i bought the place.
plus a load of others which end up going the same way. composite is the future. looks like wood. feels like wood. lasts a life time with no maintenance required.
Soldato
It seems if you replace the decking with new decking then you'll be good for another what, 10 years?
Not that bad really, depending on how much there is. My deck area is roughly 8 square meters.
Soldato
I agree the composite decking that is made to look like wood is a bit naff, but I like the plain grey composite decking as it gives a nice clean, modern look. I have fitted a few and they looked good when done.