Composite & Timber Decking in York

The frame is the deck. Get the joist centres, the ventilation and the fall right and a composite deck will still be flat and solid in twenty years. Get them wrong and the boards will bounce, cup and hold water no matter what you paid for them.

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Under the boards

Built like a floor, not a platform

Composite boards are heavier and less rigid than timber, so they need joists at closer centres, typically 300mm rather than the 400mm you might get away with in softwood. Where the boards run diagonally, those centres come in tighter again.

The frame is treated timber on a solid footing, set with a slight fall so surface water runs off rather than sitting in the grooves. Air has to be able to move underneath, so we leave a ventilation gap and never seal the deck tight to the ground on all four sides.

Boards are fixed with hidden clips where the system allows, giving a clean surface with no screw heads to catch or corrode, and every cut end gets a fascia or a trim so the core is never left on show.

Options

Composite decking. No staining, no splinters, and a wash down twice a year is the whole maintenance job. Costs more up front and repays it over time.
Treated softwood. The cheaper route with a warmer, more traditional look. Needs re-treating every couple of years.
Steps and multiple levels. Split level decks used to work around an awkward slope rather than fighting it with retaining walls.
Balustrade and privacy screens. Matched to the boards, with slatted panels where you want shelter without losing all the light.
Inset lighting. Ducted through the frame before the boards go down.
Skirting and fascias. Closing the deck in neatly while keeping the airflow underneath.

Common questions

Decking questions

How much does composite decking cost?

Composite decking generally runs between £180 and £260 per square metre supplied and built, including the treated frame and the footings. Treated softwood is roughly £110 to £160 per square metre. A typical 20 square metre deck therefore sits somewhere between £2,200 and £5,200 depending on the board you choose and how much structure is needed underneath.

Is composite decking slippery?

Good quality composite with a grooved or embossed surface grips about as well as timber, and better once timber starts to green over. Any deck will be slippery if algae is allowed to build up, which is why a wash down twice a year matters more than the board you picked.

Do I need planning permission for a deck?

Decking normally falls under permitted development if the finished surface is no more than 300mm above ground level and it covers less than half your garden. Raised decks above that height, or anything on a listed property or in a conservation area, need checking with City of York Council first.

Can decking go over an existing patio?

Often yes, provided the slabs are sound and there is enough height to keep a ventilation gap under the frame without lifting the deck above the damp course. It saves a dig out and gives the frame a solid, stable base to sit on.

Is building a deck a DIY job?

A small, low-level deck is within reach of a competent DIYer, but getting joist centres tight enough for composite boards, building in a proper fall and leaving adequate ventilation underneath are details that get missed on self-built decks. A frame that looks solid on the day can bounce or hold water within a year if those details are wrong.

How do I choose the right decking contractor?

Ask what joist centres they use for composite boards, since this varies from timber and is one of the most common mistakes on a self-built or inexperienced job. Confirm the ventilation gap underneath and how the frame is protected from ground contact, and get a written quote that separates the frame, boards and any extras like steps or lighting.

What to expect

Before any of that starts

A free site visit and written quote separate the frame, boards and any extras like steps or lighting so it is clear where the cost sits. Footings and access needs are discussed before digging starts. Cut ends are finished with a fascia or trim rather than left on show, and the site is left clean once the last board is fixed.

Why DH Hardscapes

Why Choose DH Hardscapes for Your Deck

Built Like a Floor

Joist centres are tightened specifically for composite boards, typically to 300mm, rather than reused from a timber spec that will not support the extra weight. It is one of the main reasons composite decks bounce or sag.

Ventilation Never an Afterthought

A clear ventilation gap under the frame is designed in from the start rather than an afterthought, so air can move freely underneath and the damp problems that shortcut decks develop within a few years are avoided.

Hidden Fixings, Clean Finish

Boards are fixed with hidden clips wherever the system allows, leaving no screw heads on the surface to catch a bare foot, corrode over time or leave a discoloured ring around every fixing point.

Thinking about a deck?

Free site visit, written quote, no obligation.

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