Research has shown that 13% of home improvers will be upgrading their garden in 2023. While for some this can just be a spot of new planting, a lot of these projects will be major landscaping work. One of the most striking ways to upgrade a garden is by building a new deck. For further information and to get some ideas, take a look at our Decking Materials and Decking Accessories buying guides.
While some customers will only want a bit of decking put down and that’s it, this is a job where you can really go to town with add-ons and accessories to give the finished look the wow factor. Firstly, customers will need to consider what material they want to go with for their deck. All Wickes timber decking is FSC or PEFC certified, meaning the wood is harvested from forests that are responsibly managed, environmentally conscious and economically viable.
Timber decking is the classic choice but it does require annual maintenance, so customers can also consider our range of composite decking. It's hard wearing, has been rigorously tested and comes with a 25-year guarantee.
An alternative to the classic planked decking look is to look at decking tiles, which are available in both timber and composite.
Building decking lights into the structure looks stunning and customers can choose from normal white lights to colour changing ones for a bit of extra emphasis. Lighting will also extend the use of the deck as you can sit out late into the night.
If a customer has an uneven garden, a raised deck may be in order. This will mean including steps and probably railings as well. Railings and balustrades do not just have to be made of the same timber as the deck; you can also install metal or even glass, which will add an extra level of sophistication to the finished look.
It’s important to remember that once a deck has been built it will require annual maintenance to ensure that the timber is at its best both structurally and aesthetically, so even if your customers don’t need a brand new deck, they may need you to do work on their existing one. Wickes stocks a full range of decking oils, stains and paints, so customers can choose either to bring out the natural qualities of the wood or add a pop of colour to their garden.
