Decking turns an awkward corner of the garden into somewhere you actually sit. But the board you choose decides how it looks in five years — and how much weekend maintenance it asks of you. Here is how we help customers choose at the yard.
Softwood or hardwood?
Treated softwood is the value choice — pressure-treated and easy to work, it suits most garden decks. Hardwood costs more but is denser, harder-wearing and ages to a handsome silver-grey if left unoiled. For a deck that takes heavy footfall, hardwood earns its keep.
Smooth or grooved?
Grooved boards were sold for grip, but the grooves trap dirt and water and can actually get slippery with algae. A smooth board, laid with a small gap and kept clear of leaves, drains and cleans more easily. We tend to recommend smooth, fixed bark-side up.
Joists and spacing
Your deck is only as good as the frame under it. Space joists at 400mm centres for domestic decking — 300mm if you are laying boards diagonally. Use treated timber for the frame too, and leave a 5–8mm expansion gap between boards.
Fixings that last
Use stainless or properly coated decking screws — ordinary screws rust and stain the timber. Two screws per board per joist, pre-drilled near the ends to stop splitting.
Shop this project
We stock treated softwood and hardwood decking, joists, and the stainless fixings to go with them. Bring your measurements and we will work out the board count.