Garden decking is a highly popular option these days for creating an outdoor space that’s perfect for relaxing and socializing. With a whole range of decking options available, suited to all budgets, it’s easy to see why more and more people are choosing decking over traditional terraces to enlarge their outdoor living space. When you choose your decking, you’re likely to focus on species and colour of wood and maybe not think too much about the detail of fitting your decking, but choosing the right way of fitting is an important factor in determining the longevity of your deck.
Essentially there are two types of deck construction, decking which is laid at ground level and decking that is elevated off the ground. Which construction works best for your project will depend on such things as whether or not your ground is level and the height of the room or door that you want to align the decking with. For example, if you have a sloping garden and a raised patio door coming from your kitchen and you want your decking to align with your kitchen, then an elevated option will be best. However, if you’re looking just for a solid platform on which you can sit a table and chairs in a corner of your garden, there’s no reason why a ground level deck won’t suffice.
When it comes to fixing your decking, there are two main options. The first is side, or secret fixing and the second is surface fixing. Side or secret fixing involves the use of decking board ties or fixations. These should be fixed to the wall of your house and then to the bearers of the decking and will be responsible for keeping the decking firmly in place. This procedure relies on screw nails that are inserted at a 45-degree angle to the sides of each deck board. Side fixing is a great way of making sure you don’t have visible nails or screws in your decking surface. All of that said, there is no getting away from the fact with side or secret fixing, you need to invest in specially manufactured fixations, which are significantly more expensive than simple screw nails or screws.
Surface fixing involves making sure that all your joists are well fixed and securely in place and then placing your boards, starting at the wall of your house. You can easily lay about 6 boards at a time with a space of around 5mm between each board. The space between the boards is important to allow the boards to expand and contract, and to allow ventilation. When you’re surface fitting, it’s important to choose either purpose made stainless steel or galvanized screws so that your decking doesn’t get rust spots around the screws. When it comes to fixing your boards, it’s best to pre-drill holes in the deck to avoid the risk of splitting the boards. Start fixing at the ends of each board and work towards the centre, making sure every time you join a board, that you do so over a joist.
Whether you choose secret or side fixing or surface fixing will depend upon the final look you’re hoping to achieve. There’s no getting away from the fact that surface fitting is quicker and lends itself better to lifting the odd board here and there in the future if you need to, but side or secret fixing also has its advantages. If you’re looking for a clean and screw free look for your deck, then you’ll need to invest the time and significant cost associated with side or secret fixing.
How The Two Compare
| Decking Fixing Type | Description | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side or Secret Fixing | Involves the use of decking board ties or fixations which should be fixed to the wall of your house and then to the bearers of the decking. This procedure relies on screw nails that are inserted at a 45-degree angle to the sides of each deck board. | Creates a clean, screw-free look on the decking surface. | Requires specially manufactured fixations which are significantly more expensive than simple screw nails or screws. |
| Surface Fixing | Involves making sure that all your joists are well fixed and securely in place and then placing your boards, starting at the wall of your house. Requires pre-drilling holes in the deck to avoid the risk of splitting the boards. | Quicker to install, uses simple screws and allows for easy replacement of boards in the future. | Visible screws on the deck surface, which may not be aesthetically pleasing to some. Requires stainless steel or galvanized screws to avoid rust. |
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FAQ
What are the main benefits of garden decking?
Garden decking is a popular choice for creating an outdoor space ideal for relaxation and socializing. There are various decking options available to suit all budgets, and decking can provide a more versatile solution compared to traditional terraces, especially when trying to expand your outdoor living space.
What are the two types of deck construction?
There are two main types of deck construction: decking which is laid at ground level and decking that is elevated off the ground. The best option for your project will depend on factors like whether your ground is level and the height of the room or door you want the decking to align with.
What are the two main options for fixing decking?
The two main options for fixing decking are side (or secret) fixing and surface fixing. Side or secret fixing uses decking board ties or fixations, which are fixed to the wall of your house and then to the bearers of the decking. Surface fixing, on the other hand, involves securing all your joists well in place and then placing your boards.
What is the benefit of surface fixing?
Surface fixing is quicker than side fixing and it lends itself better to lifting the odd board here and there in the future if you need to. It also avoids the need for specially manufactured fixations, which are significantly more expensive than simple screw nails or screws.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of side or secret fixing?
Side or secret fixing offers a clean and screw-free look for your deck, which some people may prefer. However, it does require an investment in specially manufactured fixations, which can be more expensive, and it may also take longer than surface fixing.