Since mid 2022, consumers have curbed their spending in the face of rising costs and economic uncertainty. For many, garden projects are on-hold until more certain times of prosperity. It’s a stark contrast to the boom in decking sales experienced during the pandemic – when outdoor spaces for safe socialising became the luxury craved by all.

Whilst expectations for 2023 remain conservative there is scope for optimism.

Decking manufacturers continued to lay down stocks of timber decking as demand tailed off towards the end of last year. This means products are readily available for sale and distribution and buyers will not be faced with any shortages of deck boards, posts or joists.

The UK market for composite deck boards continues to grow in both the domestic and commercial sectors, with the promise of low maintenance and surface appearance a significant factor in product choice. Another relative newcomer is bamboo decking, which is, in fact, derived from a grass rather than timber.

The Timber Decking and Cladding Association (TDCA) represents the interests of all types of decking material suppliers so long as their products meet TDCA fitness for purpose and quality standards. The range of materials include natural fibre-based products, hardwoods, softwoods and wood plastic composites as well as the fixings used to install them and the coatings used to decorate them.

The TDCA exists to promote high quality materials and installation techniques and, along with its members, aims to create continued demand in the decking, cladding and outdoor wood markets. The organisation was formed in 1998 to help develop the use of wood for outdoor decks and associated landscaping structures – and has become the trusted, independent voice of the industry working in close partnership with other specialist trade bodies such as the Wood Protection Association (WPA) and Timber Development UK (TDUK).

FIRM FOUNDATIONS

One of the topics we get asked about frequently is decking substructure specifications for pressure treated softwood. Common to all decking installations irrespective of the deck board material, treated wood subframes are a critical structural aspect of any deck project. To underpin this, industry trade associations have recently backed a change to preservative treatment specifications proposed by TDCA, to raise the level of protection for outdoor structural components.

TDCA, WPA and TDUK are actively promoting that all posts, joists and beams should now be pressure treated to a Use Class 4 specification. In British Standards this is the level required to enhance the durability of timber in direct or close contact with the ground and frequently wet. This change will be adopted in the next edition of BS8417 – the Code of Practice for industrial wood preservation.

 Recent market research carried out by the WPA found many front-line merchant staff do not as yet appreciate the need for deck joists to be treated to Use Class 4 – even though a growing number stock them. Some confuse treatment with strength class, some only offer joists treated to a lower level of preservative protection (Use Class 3) but some, worryingly, suggest that joists treated for dry internal applications are adequate.

FIT-FOR-PURPOSE PRODUCTS

TDCA believes that if timber is to continue to be the material of choice for decking substructures, then suppliers need to endorse and supply correctly treated products: UC4 joists, beams, bracing, blocking and ledger timbers, ie every support structure component. European redwood (pine) is the species of choice as it is easier to treat and much longer service life specifications can be achieved – for example, 30 and 60 years. Mechanical incising prior to treatment is an advantageous benefit for both spruce and pine to ensure the preservative penetration requirements can be met.

Market research shows merchants are increasingly stocking UC4 substructure material. However, the level of knowledge about specifying and selling treated wood appropriate to its end use remains low at a wider industry level and this needs to be addressed. The TDCA continues to work in collaboration with TDUK and WPA to this end.

The continual challenge of low-priced competing materials can affect buyer perceptions about quality and performance when choosing a material for decking projects. For example, imported hollow form wood polymer composite (WPC) decking, continues to fuel demand in the WPC sector, with many buying on price rather than quality. This inevitably results in the material not meeting the expectations of the customer.

Looking at the queries handled by TDCA, the use of inappropriate fixings poses another issue, with many projects underperforming due to the use of fixings not suitable for external applications. The use of corrosion resistant fixings specific to exterior timber decking are a must. TDCA offers guidance on choosing and using fixings for all types of decking and timber cladding.

THIRD PARTY QUALITY ACCREDITATION

To ensure consumers can select quality high performance products and services the TDCA operates two third party accreditation schemes – DeckMark and CladMark. The schemes recognise manufacturers, suppliers and installers who work in accordance with the quality assurance standards of the TDCA. Established for almost 20 years, the growing list of verified members is a testament to the schemes’ credibility and commercial value. Increasingly we are seeing project specifications calling for these quality assurance schemes, especially for decking products.

The TDCA remains committed to promoting the benefits of using high calibre decking materials. Together with our members we are working to ensure decking remains a mainstay feature of our gardens, outdoor spaces and landscapes for many years to come.

 DURABILITY WINS THE DAY

In the tranquil village of Chesham Bois in Buckinghamshire, homeowners who had recently extended their home, wanted to create a transitional space between their home and their garden. They reached out to landscape designer Karl Harrison, and have created a transitional decking area using Accoya wood. James Latham Ltd, an approved distributor, supplied the Accoya for this project.

 To create a feeling of space and simplicity, wide deck boards were chosen and secured with hidden fittings. To keep a natural feel to the wood, the Accoya deck boards have not been coated. Instead, the natural blonde wood colour has been maintained, and the boards have been heavily brushed to create texture and enhance the grain of the Accoya wood.

A non-negotiable criteria for the clients when selecting what material to use was that it needed to be low maintenance. With a 50-year warranty, Accoya is a modified wood that has been produced to make it extremely durable and resistant to rot and temperature changes.

As a result of Accoya’s high durability, it rarely requires upkeep such as oiling or repainting. Accoya decking can simply be cleaned with water and a brush. The natural weathering of Accoya that occurs from the sun and rain acts in the woods favour as, overtime, the decking in the image will turn into an attractive silvery grey, adding an extra quality to the decking.