There’s no getting away from it, garden decking is a great, and highly desired way to have an outside space on which you can really let your hair down; enjoy the company of friends or just relax. Decking is an affordable and flexible way to create an attractive terrace or patio, but what are the alternatives? If you decide that garden decking isn’t for you, for some reason, here’s some other options you might want to consider:
Lawn
Lawn, if laid and maintained properly is a stunning backdrop for any garden, formal or informal. That said, if you’re looking for a space to set up an outside eating or relaxing area, lawn is unlikely to be your best bet. With a tendency to hold water after a downpour, the last thing you’d want when enjoying your fine dining is wet feet and muddy shoes! What’s more the wear and tear caused by the traffic on terrace or patio isn’t ideally suited to most lawns.
Concrete
Although concrete can look cold and basic, with a bit of imagination and shopping around, you’ll be able to find a concrete solution which makes a great outdoor space. Available in precast units; ready to pour varieties and with a whole host of tint options, concrete terraces are long-lasting, quick to construct and easy to maintain. What’s more you can even use concrete to create terraces which look convincingly like stone and tile.
Railway sleepers
Using railway sleepers is an extremely popular way of dressing gardens these days and can be used to create some stunning effects, when it comes to creating borders, raised beds, decks and paths. The downside of this option as an alternative to garden decking, is that it’s likely to prove expensive, no matter whether you choose to invest in reclaimed or new railway sleepers. That said, if price isn’t an issue for your project, the effects created by railway sleepers can be superb.
Brick, slate and stone
Brick, slate and stone have been used for many years to create interesting and eye-catching terraces and patios. Extremely hard-wearing and suggesting quality, each of these options offer a whole host of different design solutions, both modern and traditional. That said, many people shy away from brick, slate and stone for two man reasons. One is the price and the other is the skill which is required to successfully lay the terrace. The latter is likely to be a particular issue if you’re planning a DIY project.
Gravel
Gravel is a seriously low-budget option if you’re looking for a hard, outdoor surface solution. Not celebrated for its beauty, its comfort under foot or its stability when it comes to placing and moving chairs and tables, gravel is nevertheless a good option if cash is in limited supply. If you do opt for gravel for your patio or terrace, it’s definitely worth shopping around to look at the different colour and size options before committing to a standard gravel.
Tiles
Tiles are a very popular terrace and patio covering in continental Europe. Where the climate is warm, tiling can be a really effective way of flooring your outside space. That said, in the UK, tiles can appear very cold in winter and, without the right surface or make-up, can take harm from extreme temperatures as well as becoming slippery when wet.
Your options compared
Option | Description | Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|---|---|
Lawn | A stunning backdrop for any garden. | Great for formal or informal gardens. | Not ideal for an outdoor eating or relaxing area. Tendency to hold water after a downpour. |
Concrete | A versatile option that can be customized. | Long-lasting, quick to construct, and easy to maintain. Can be made to look like stone or tile. | Can look cold and basic without creative design. |
Railway Sleepers | Used for borders, raised beds, decks, and paths. | Can create stunning effects and a rustic feel. | Likely to be expensive, whether using reclaimed or new sleepers. |
Brick, Slate, and Stone | Used for many years to create interesting terraces and patios. | Hard-wearing, suggesting quality, and offers various design solutions. | Can be pricey and requires skill to lay successfully. Not ideal for DIY projects. |
Gravel | A low-budget option for an outdoor surface solution. | Good option if cash is in limited supply. | Not celebrated for its beauty, comfort under foot, or stability for placing and moving furniture. |
Tiles | A popular terrace and patio covering in continental Europe. | Effective flooring for outdoor space in warm climates. | Can appear cold in winter and can be slippery when wet. May not withstand extreme temperatures. |
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FAQ
What are some advantages and disadvantages of using lawn as an alternative to garden decking?
The advantage of a lawn is that, if laid and maintained properly, it provides a stunning backdrop for any garden, be it formal or informal. However, as an alternative to decking for an outdoor eating or relaxing area, it may not be the best choice. It tends to hold water after a downpour and the wear and tear caused by the traffic on a terrace or patio may not be ideally suited to most lawns.
Is concrete a good alternative to garden decking?
Yes, concrete can be an ideal alternative to garden decking. It is long-lasting, quick to construct and easy to maintain. With a bit of creativity, you can find a concrete solution that makes a great outdoor space. There are options like precast units, ready-to-pour varieties, and a variety of tint options. You can even use concrete to create terraces that look convincingly like stone and tile.
Can railway sleepers be used as an alternative to garden decking?
Railway sleepers can be used to create some stunning effects when it comes to creating borders, raised beds, decks, and paths. However, this option can be expensive, whether you choose to invest in reclaimed or new railway sleepers.
What are the advantages of using brick, slate, or stone as alternatives to garden decking?
Brick, slate, and stone are extremely hard-wearing and suggest quality. They offer a variety of design solutions, both modern and traditional. However, many people avoid these materials due to the high cost and the skill required to lay the terrace successfully.
Is gravel a cost-effective alternative to garden decking?
Yes, gravel is a very low-budget option if you’re looking for a hard, outdoor surface solution. However, it’s not celebrated for its beauty or comfort underfoot, or its stability when placing and moving furniture.