Five things you might not know about timber decking

1 – A low maintenance option 
Many people are surprised to hear that timber decking is a low maintenance option. Modern timber decking boards, with the right preservative treatment from the outset, require very little work. For example, our smooth profile decking boards, with non-slip inserts, are low maintenance, without the need to clean in between grooves. Aside from a brush with a broom and an annual clean with a deck cleaning product, they can be left to weather naturally with no need to re-treat.

2 – Slip resistance  
A common concern is that timber decking could be slippery in wet weather. This is a possibility if traditional decking isn’t properly maintained. However, there are some great anti-slip products on the market and these are ideal for sloping surfaces, ramps, or areas that are likely to get very wet. Our AntiSlip Plus and CitiDeck timber decking boards have been specifically designed to provide a durable and effective anti-slip surface to minimise any risk of slipping, even in adverse weather conditions. 

If you are installing hot tubs, due to the combination of timber and water, we recommend that anti-slip decking is used, at the very least on the walkway from hot tub to house. Our Antislip Decking products are ideal for use in the garden if you are looking to install a hot tub.

3 – Up to 30 year service life
There is a misconception that timber decking isn’t durable. However, this comes down to choosing the right product, with the right use class treatment. The Timber Decking and Cladding Association (TDCA) recommends only using decking boards that offer a minimum service life of 15 years. However, there are now products on the market, such as our CitiDeck and AntiSlip Plus timber decking boards, that have been preservative treated to Use Class 3 to achieve a 30 year service life.  Many people are surprised to hear that timber decking can last for three decades.

One of the main reasons for timber decking failure is actually incorrect fixings. Corrosion is the biggest threat to fixings used outdoors. Therefore stainless steel, hotdipped galvanised or high quality coated carbon steel fixings are best. Our decking has a range of complementary stainless steel fixings, so you can purchase a complete decking package from one manufacturer.

4 – Sustainability
The consumer demand to get closer to nature and use sustainable materials has seen a resurgence in the use of timber. When it is sourced responsibly, timber is the most sustainable building material and is an ideal choice as people become increasingly concerned about waste and recycling. All timber decking boards should hold either PEFC or FSC Accreditation, which verifies the supplier is sourcing timber sustainably, from well-managed forests with excellent replanting programmes. We have chosen to use PEFC for our decking timber.

5 – Smooth profiles
When thinking about decking, many people picture the traditional grooved appearance but actually smooth profiles are becoming increasingly popular. 

A smooth board offers a different feel and appearance to the deck when compared to the traditional look of a grooved board but also has many benefits.  

The smooth, flatter profile provides an inclusive surface for all users of the decking and provides an easier surface to maintain.

We’re seeing increasing demand for our CitiDeck smooth profile decking boards, which have two non-slip inserts, rather than the usual grooved surface. These have tended to be seen more in the specification market but are becoming more popular and affordable for domestic use.

Marley’s range of high quality, Anti Slip timber decking boards are manufactured from selected joinery grade European Redwood and supplied in a variety of lengths. Boards are graded to BS 4978:2007+A1:2011 Strength Class C16 or C24 and CE marked.