3 stellar choices for your patio decking

Creating a patio space in your back garden is the very best of way of connecting the indoors with the outdoors. On a garden patio, you can enjoy being outside, your nose can get tingly from the smells of the plants growing, and your lungs can fill up with fresh air, but you won't exactly be roughing it – on a patio you can sit in the comfort of a deck chair and eat a delicious meal at an outdoor dining table. Patio life truly is the best of both worlds.

But your patio can only be as good as the decking on which it rests. Choose the wrong kind and you might find that the summer barbecue space you dreamed of doesn't quite match up to your fantasy. To make it easy for you, here are three stellar choices of patio decking material that you really can't go wrong with.

Bamboo

The greatest thing about bamboo is how solid and robust it is. If you are going to be applying pressure to a deck with lots of footfall and heavy garden furniture, you need a material that can withstand that kind of treatment. There is an ancient Japanese proverb that says, "The bamboo that bends is stronger than the Oak that resists", and this could not be truer. Bamboo has flexibility, but above all, it is a strong structural material.

Bamboo is actually a grass that grows rapidly, not a type of wood, and because of the fast rate of its growth, this is a very sustainable decking option. If you want patio decking that does not put undue stress on the environment, bamboo could be the best pick for you.

One thing to bear in mind is that bamboo decking can be made from cut bamboo, or it can be made from bamboo chips and fibres that are stuck together. The latter option will not be as robust, so do go for the simple bamboo cut straight from the tree.

Oregon timber

If you want your patio deck to stand the test of time, it is imperative that you choose a material that can fight moisture. When it rains, the last thing that you want to happen is for your beautiful decking to warp and buckle because of the moisture. With Oregon timber, otherwise known as Douglas Fir, this is not an issue because it expands and contracts very evenly in response to moisture, making it ideal for outdoor projects such as patio decks.

Oregon timber also has a natural resistance to decay, insects, and rot – all things that can plague outdoor woodwork. This means that it will take far less work for you to maintain a hygienic and clean patio area if you choose Oregon timber for the decking.

Composite decking

Composite decking is becoming increasingly popular, and it's with good reason. The boards are typically made from a mixture of wood waste, plastic, and cellulose fibre, and this magic combination results in a decking material that is virtually maintenance free. For decking, natural woods often have to be sealed and stained so that your patio can be protected from Mother Nature. But composite decking is engineered so that this process can be totally avoided. It can be laid down as it is with no need for any additional treatments whatsoever.

Composite decks are also splinter-free, and this could be a plus for you if you have small children or pets who you want to keep out of harm's way, or if you simply want to enjoy your patio with bare feet in the summertime yourself.

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