Garden Decking
Built to Last —
Darlington & the North East.
Softwood, hardwood and composite decking installed on ground-contact-treated joists over concreted supports. Proper ventilation, corrosion-resistant fixings and a level finish that doesn't sag, twist or rot. Fixed written quotes, up to 10-year workmanship guarantee.
- 18 years' experience
- Checkatrade 10/10 (33+ reviews)
- Up to 10-year workmanship guarantee
- £2M Public & Employers' Liability
- Site visit usually within 2 days
What we build, who it's for, and why it's worth doing properly.
What it is
A complete deck installation — ground clearance, concreted post supports, treated joist framework with correct spans and ventilation, boards fixed with stainless or coated screws, cut-in trims, steps and balustrade where needed.
Who it's for
Homeowners who want a level, usable outdoor room over uneven ground or a raised area at back-door level. Also for gardens where a hot tub, seating area or bi-fold threshold needs a warm, splinter-free surface.
When it's needed
When ground levels rule out a patio, when you want a warm surface underfoot at the back door, when an existing deck is soft, springy or lifting at the edges, or when a hot tub needs a proper load-rated base.
Why professional install matters
Decks fail from underneath. Rot starts where joists sit on the ground with no airflow, boards twist when fixed with the wrong screws, and cheap composite fades in a season. Get the frame, ventilation and fixings right and a deck lasts 20+ years.
What happens when the job is done cheaply — or left too long.
Most of the failed decks we're called out to look at were built quickly and cheaply — joists bearing on damp soil, softwood boards fixed with galvanised nails that rust out inside three years, and no gap under the deck for air to move.
Rot from underneath
Joists bearing on soil or slabs with no ventilation gap wick moisture up. Rot starts hidden and shows as spongy boards after three winters.
Twisted, cupped boards
Cheap kiln-dried softwood fixed too tight with no expansion gap. Boards cup, split around fixings and trip you up.
Wobbling posts & balustrade
Balustrade posts bolted to the deck fascia instead of the frame flex under weight. First lean-on and you feel the whole side move.
Common mistakes we're called out to fix:
- Setting posts in shallow, un-concreted holes — first year of frost heave and the whole frame moves.
- Under 150mm ventilation gap between joists and ground — traps damp air and starts rot within a season.
- Galvanised nails instead of stainless or coated deck screws — rust stains bleed onto boards and fixings loosen.
- No fall on the joist frame — water pools on the boards and shortens the surface life.
- Buying composite on price alone — cheap co-extruded boards fade, capped premium composite doesn't.
A clear, staged system — so you always know what's next.
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1
Free site visit & measured survey
James checks levels, ground conditions, drainage under the deck footprint and how the deck ties into the house or existing patio.
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2
Fixed written quote
One price covering frame, boards, steps, balustrade, fixings and clean-down. Timber grade and board type spelled out.
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3
Ground clearance & post supports
Ground cleared, weed membrane laid, post holes dug and concreted, bearer plates set level with laser.
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4
Treated joist framework
Ground-contact-treated C24 softwood joists at correct centres for the board spec, joist protector tape on top edges to shed water off the frame.
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5
Boards fixed & cut in
Boards laid with a consistent expansion gap, fixed with stainless or coated deck screws, ends cut clean, fascias and picture-frame trim added.
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6
Steps, balustrade & handover
Steps built onto a supporting frame (not corbelled), balustrade posts through-bolted to the joist frame, full clean-down, walkaround and written guarantee.
Specific outcomes — not vague promises.
Proper ventilation, no rot
Minimum 150mm airflow gap under every deck we build. It's the single biggest reason decks last.
Frame built to spec, not to save money
C24 ground-contact-treated joists at the correct centres for the board type. Composite needs closer centres than softwood — we spec for the boards you actually chose.
18 years' hands-on experience
James on site every day. You're not handed to a subbie between the quote and the finish.
Typically 3–5 days on site
Most residential decks up to 30m² finish inside a week — including steps and balustrade.
Up to 10-year workmanship guarantee
Written into the quote. Composite manufacturers add their own separate product guarantee — we'll explain both.
Composite, hardwood or softwood — honestly
We'll recommend what actually suits your budget and use. Not what's got the best margin for us.
The detail most contractors won't put in writing.
The finish you see is 20% of a deck. The 80% you don't see — the frame, fixings, ventilation and ground prep — decides whether it lasts three years or twenty-three.
Composite decking
Wood-plastic composite boards, capped premium grades only. No annual oiling, no splinters, no fading if you buy the right product. Costs more up front, cheaper across a 20-year lifespan than softwood.
Hardwood decking
Iroko, balau or similar dense tropical hardwoods. Grooved for grip, silvers gracefully if left untreated, holds oil beautifully if you prefer to keep the warm tone. 25+ year lifespan when framed properly.
Softwood decking
Pressure-treated pine or spruce, grooved boards. Cheapest option, needs an annual oil/stain to keep looking sharp. Typical lifespan 10–15 years with maintenance, less without.
Joist framework & ventilation
C24 ground-contact-treated joists at 400mm centres for composite, 500mm for softwood/hardwood. Joist protector tape on top edges. Minimum 150mm ventilation gap under the deck to sub-grade. Weed membrane and gravel under the frame footprint.
Steps, balustrade & lighting
Steps on a supporting frame, not cantilevered off the deck edge. Balustrade posts through-bolted to the joist frame (never fascia only) and cross-braced where over 900mm. Low-voltage LED riser and deck lighting installed at frame stage while cabling is easy to run.
Deck plus patio combinations
A stepped mix of paving and deck is often the strongest layout — patio at door level for a table and chairs, decking dropping to a raised seating zone. We design the transition detail so the levels feel intentional, not accidental.
A few we've finished — decking across the North East.
Real jobs, real customers. Drag the divider on the before/after images to see what was there before we started.
Frequently asked questions.
Ready for a decking that lasts?
Free site visit within a couple of days. Fixed written price shortly after — no deposit, no pressure, no ballpark guesswork. Backed by up to 10-year workmanship guarantee and £2M public liability insurance.
Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm • Yard 10, Wards Industrial Estate, Darlington DL1 2UQ