Landscape & Urban Design Issue 59 2023 | Page 28

DECKING

TIMBER : THE MATERIAL CHOICE FOR DECKING IN ALL ENVIRONMENTS

Decking continues to be a popular addition to outdoor spaces , adding extra dimensions to gardens , public spaces and even restaurants or visitor attractions . Decking helps transform and create an inviting , social space for everyone to use .
Whilst there are several materials available on the market , timber continues to be the material of choice for decking solutions . In this article , Laura Qualters National Technical Manager for Decking at Marley , shares the top five benefits of choosing timber decking .
Busting the myths Timber is the most popular material for decking due to its natural aesthetic and flexible qualities . However , there are still many misconceptions around the material choice such as it being high maintenance , slippery , or that it rots and needs regular retreating . Contrary to this however some timber deck boards are now supplied with a 30-year desired service life eradicating any worries regarding rot .
So , what are the benefits of timber decking ?
Low Maintenance Modern timber decking boards , with the right preservative treatment from the outset , require very little upkeep . Aside from a brush with a broom and an annual clean with a deck cleaning product , they can be left to weather naturally with no need to re-treat against rot and fungi attack . Product such as the Marley smooth profile decking boards , with non-slip inserts , are a low maintenance option , without the need to clean in between grooves .
28 www . landud . co . uk Follow us @ ludmagazine