Decking

[Woodster]

A salutary tale.

At our previous property we had a large patio with buff coloured concrete pavers. It looked ok once I’d jet washed it but more importantly it was a very usable space. When we moved into our current place it had decking and all looked very nice. After the first winter though and nearly slipping over on it the novelty wore off. It got jet washed every year to remove the algae and other stuff that ends up sticking to it but it was still dangerous in the wet. We suffered this until eventually some of it went rotten and we had to do something about it. I ripped up the old decking and disposed of it and then got a guy round to remove the supports, level the ground and then lay large Silver Granite pavers. We now have a much more user friendly space and have used it lots of times to have friends round for meals in the garden. Curry nights with a delivery from one of our local restaurants has proved very popular with friends. We’ve bought a new table and chairs and even a Parasol for when that big yellow thing comes out! :lol: The pavers still need a jet wash of course but it takes half the time that it used to. It’s also much brighter in the garden as the pavers are lighter in colour.
We cannot help feeling really stupid now for not ripping up the wooden nightmare that is decking before.

 

[greeno]

What direction was it facing? I can't help thinking there's more to this, i know people do complain about them being slippery.

I say that as we've a large deck straight out the back door and I walk across it every day of the year to take the dogs out. Never had a problem except when really icy, just jet wash and treat every two years.

Ours faces west so the morning sun might help, typical timber thing and been down about 8 years with no sign of it failing.

 

[Woodster]

The boards ran East/West across the back of the house. If you do a Google accidents on slippery decking are very very common. I’m guessing the decking was down about ten years and when I took it up some of the supports were rotten so lucky I replaced it when I did. No more paying out for decking treatment Yay! :lol:

 

[Just4fun]

Ours faces west so the morning sun might help

How does that work? The sun rises in the east so surely your west-facing decking won't get sunlight until the afternoon.

Our decking is on the west side of the house so doesn't get the sun till later in the day, but that is not important in our location. All outdoor surfaces are the same when covered in enough snow. At least in winter my garden looks as good as anyone else's.

 

[greeno]

Ours faces west so the morning sun might help

How does that work? The sun rises in the east so surely your west-facing decking won't get sunlight until the afternoon.

Our decking is on the west side of the house so doesn't get the sun till later in the day, but that is not important in our location. All outdoor surfaces are the same when covered in enough snow. At least in winter my garden looks as good as anyone else's.

I meant the other West, the one that faces east