Decking
A deck should drain, sit level, and feel quiet underfoot.
Low garden decks in softwood or composite, with the subframe, airflow and falls treated as the job, not the hidden bit.
Softwood Decking
Treated Timber With An Honest Maintenance Plan
Softwood decking starts from £175 to £235 per square metre, including subframe, boards, screws and labour. It gives a warm timber look and keeps the initial cost lower than composite.
The fixings are visible, the boards move with weather and the deck needs cleaning and oiling if you want it to age well. With airflow, cleaning and oiling, Will normally treats softwood as a 10 to 15 year choice rather than a fit-and-forget surface. In return, damaged boards are straightforward to replace and the look suits older brick, flint walls and cottage gardens.
Will will say if softwood is the wrong choice for a shaded, damp corner. A cheap deck that stays wet underneath is not a saving.
Composite Decking
Higher Material Cost, Cleaner Lines
Composite decking starts from £255 to £340 per square metre, including subframe, clips, edging trim and labour. It suits clients who want a cleaner finish, fewer visible fixings and a more stable board colour.
Composite still needs cleaning, proper expansion gaps and enough ventilation below. The clips and trims are part of the system, so the quote names the board type and edge detail rather than using the word composite as a single vague price.
The material cost is higher, but it can make sense for busy family gardens, cafés and office courtyards where regular oiling is unlikely.
Subframe First
The Hidden Frame Matters More Than Board Colour
A quiet deck comes from the structure below. Joist spacing, noggins, fixings, post support and the way the frame deals with a slightly uneven garden decide how the deck feels after a year. Palm & Post prices the frame properly because the boards only look good if the base is square, dry and firm.
Ground And Drainage
When A Deck Is A Bad Idea
Before recommending a deck, Will checks the fall, airflow, drainage, damp walls, door thresholds and whether old paving is trapping water. Weed membrane and a clean base help, but they do not fix a garden that wants to stay wet.
No raised decks over 600mm from ground level are taken on unless drawings and structural sign-off are already in place. A low deck can still need careful design, especially near air bricks, boundaries and shared access.
Small Commercial Plots
Cafés, Office Courtyards And Bin-Store Walkways
- Café cornersLow decks where drainage and cleaning access are agreed before the start.
- Office courtyardsNeat boards, clear edging and a build plan that respects weekday access.
- Bin-store walkwaysPractical timber or composite surfaces where slip, airflow and wear matter.
Ask For A Decking Price
Email The Area, Photos And Board Preference.
Send rough dimensions, photos from each corner, preferred board type and whether the old deck needs removing. Add postcode and any access notes.
Email hello@palmandpost.com