Decking & Garden Structures in Trowbridge

What goes underneath matters most

A deck is only as good as its frame. The joists, bearers and posts should be timber pressure treated to Use Class 4, the level meant for timber in or close to the ground, and the frame needs to be set out level with enough fall and airflow so water does not sit under the boards. On wet clay ground, keeping the frame off the soil and stopping weeds coming through makes a big difference to how long it lasts.

The gallery shows the kind of structures Matt builds: raised decking with balustrade and steps beside a conservatory, a decked hot tub area beside a cabin, a corner summer house on a new decked base, a timber garden staircase on a sloping garden and a four-post timber pergola over a new sandstone patio.

Timber or composite

Softwood timber boards cost less at the start and can be stained or oiled, but they need cleaning and treating to stay in good condition. Composite boards cost more but need less upkeep. There is a fuller comparison in the timber or composite decking guide.

Planning rules for decking

Under the national permitted development rules for houses, decking does not usually need planning permission if it is no more than 30cm above the ground, does not sit in front of the main front wall of the house, and together with other extensions and outbuildings covers no more than half the garden. Raised decks above 30cm, decks at flats and decks at listed buildings need checking with Wiltshire Council first.

Decking often goes alongside a new patio, fencing and screening or a full garden makeover, and decks and garden structures are built across Trowbridge, Melksham, Westbury and Bradford-on-Avon.