Month: December 2024

Whether it’s the hub of your outdoor living, a place to dine al fresco with friends or just somewhere to unwind under the stars, a deck can make the world of difference to how you spend your time outdoors. But it takes more than just a deck to elevate your outdoor space into a truly special place. It’s about the memories it creates, the moments you enjoy in it & the richer life that can be lived outside with family & friends.

With Millboard’s composite decking & cladding, you can create a space where those moments happen – without the stress & expense of regular maintenance. Engineered to withstand the elements & weather, it resists warping, rotting & splitting and is more durable than traditional timber, so you can look forward to enjoying your outdoor spaces for many years to come.

While most other composite decking is extruded, Millboard is a genuine wood-free product that’s hand-moulded from oak & then hand-coloured. This results in a far more natural-looking finish – you’ll hardly know it’s not real wood unless you’re close up! It’s also much easier to work with than other composite products. You can cut it with standard woodworking tools & no pre-drilling is required, as the clever Lastane surface flexes back over the screws to create an invisible ‘lost head’ effect.

The lack of any timber content means that it can’t support damp & fungal growth, making it perfect for use in termite-prone areas & as a replacement for termite-damaged wooden boards. Plus, it doesn’t absorb dirt & spillages like a timber deck – so you can simply sweep it down regularly with a garden broom and occasionally clean it down with soapy water.

As a premium composite product, it comes with an impressive warranty to give you peace of mind that your investment will stand the test of time. This extends to a 25-year limited structural & labour warranty & a 12-year anti-fading guarantee, giving you total confidence that your new decking will keep looking its best for years to come.

Designed to withstand demanding outdoor environments, it’s made from a blend of natural minerals bonded in a polymer resin with long-fibre reinforcement & topped with the unique Lastane layer & UV-stable 2k coating. The durable core means that it resists warping, rotting, cupping & splitting, making it a more resilient alternative to traditional timber – giving you the peace of mind that your investment will stand the tests of time.

Its durability & low maintenance mean that it is also an ideal option for commercial spaces, such as parks & schools where heavy footfall will damage conventional decking & cladding over time. In fact, both Legoland in Windsor & Kew Gardens have chosen Millboard for their hard-wearing nature & the ability to accommodate thousands of visitors each year.

The final touch to a deck that brings it to life, skirting is more than just an aesthetic element. It hides the unsightly structure of the deck supports and provides a sense of privacy while also offering security and pest control. In addition, it allows homeowners to keep miscellaneous outdoor items like ladders, tools, and flower pots under the deck out of sight and off the ground.

When deciding on a deck skirting style, homeowners must consider their purposes for the space and choose a material that will suit their personal tastes and budget. Wood, vinyl, and composite materials are common options because they offer a wide range of styles and are long-lasting. Metal is less common, but offers a cool industrial look that can complement modern designs. Bamboo screening is another affordable option that gives a natural, tropical feel to any home.

Regardless of the type of skirting chosen, regular cleaning and maintenance are vital for a healthy and attractive finish. Remove dirt, mildew, and debris from the surface regularly with warm, soapy water. It’s also important to periodically inspect the deck for damage and repair as needed. For the most durable results, it’s a good idea to apply a fresh coat of sealant or paint to prevent moisture buildup and other problems.

Deck Skirting and Critter Control

The space under a deck can be a cozy and inviting shelter for squirrels, raccoons, opossums, and other wild animals seeking warmth and food. While many homeowners turn to planters and shrubs to conceal this open space, these methods are not always effective. Having deck skirting helps to prevent these creatures from burrowing under the deck, chewing through wooden beams, and creating costly infrastructural issues for the homeowner. It’s possible to keep critters out by using mesh wiring that can be installed on the interior of the deck skirting panels, which will also keep them from chewing on any infrastructure or wood underneath the deck.

Although not essential, adding a deck skirt will help minimize the safety risks that an open space under the deck can pose, especially for young children and pets. Skirting will ensure that tripping and other accidents are prevented by covering the open area beneath the deck, while still allowing for easy access.

Though not a requirement, deck skirting is a great way to increase the value of your property and enhance your outdoor living experience. Choosing the right design to match your existing deck and home will create a cohesive, stylish look that will make your backyard feel like an extension of your living space. In addition, deck skirting will protect the foundational components of your deck from weather-related wear and tear, prolonging its lifespan and reducing costly repairs. Lastly, it can help to keep garbage and other unwanted debris from blowing under the deck, making cleanup much easier.

A pergola corner is a lovely addition to any garden, whether it’s positioned at the entrance, as a focal point or simply used as a place for relaxing and enjoying the sun. Providing shade and interest, it can help to define an outdoor living area and creates the perfect backdrop for an array of wonderful climbing plants. The softness and beauty of these adds a touch of romanticism to your garden, while the scented blooms create a welcoming aura.

Traditionally, pergolas have been freestanding structures but these new design corner pergolas offer a more versatile alternative. Fitting snugly into a corner, they’re a great way to maximise space by turning otherwise unusable corners into an intimate garden retreat. The unique diamond-shaped roof adds a stylish, contemporary twist to this gorgeous wooden structure and the premium grade spruce timber ensures that it’s built to last.

The building process is straightforward and the kits come with comprehensive instructions with photographs for each step. Before you start, it’s important to check that the ground is solid and that there are no buried services such as gas pipes or electricity cables. You’ll also want to notify any utility companies of your plans before digging holes for the posts. Once you’ve done this, mark the footprint of the pergola and dig the three anchoring holes – these should be around twice as wide as the base of the post and deep enough to exceed the local frost line.

Once the posts are firmly in place, you can add the rafters which are placed on top with uniform spacing between each. These are secured with metal screws and a weather-resistant finish protects the wood from environmental elements. Then you can add any extras you wish to complete your corner pergola such as trellis panels, lighting or accent plants.

You can even grow grape vines on the trellis and enjoy your own home-grown produce! A corner pergola seating area can be adorned with cushions, loungers, chairs, benches and throws for lazy days with friends or relaxing solo. You can also accessorise with lights, fragrance burners and a whole host of other fun garden accessories.

This particular corner pergola has trellis on two sides, but the plans are easily adapted to accommodate an odd-shaped corner and you can add or remove whichever side you prefer. This pergola has a bespoke feel and is perfect for showing off the beautiful wisteria that clings to it. You can find more ideas for creating a beautiful corner pergola in our article here.

Many homeowners and businesses are finding that a pergola is an attractive way to add shade and dimension to an outdoor living space. They are also a great option for creating a secluded area that is ideal for relaxing, reading, and entertaining. In addition, a pergola can add to the curb appeal of your home or business and increase its value.

Pergolas are typically constructed of wood, but they can be made of a variety of materials. Lattice panels and climbing plants can be added to the structure, adding visual interest and texture. They also act as natural barriers, shielding you from the view of neighboring properties and creating a sense of seclusion and privacy.

One of the biggest benefits of a residential pergola is its versatility. It can be placed practically anywhere on a property and used as a focal point in a garden or backyard. Many residents choose to situate their pergola over a patio, pool, or fire pit. They may even use it to create an outdoor dining or seating area. Others prefer to use it as an elegant entryway into a yard or garden, creating a unique entrance that adds a distinctive architectural element to the property.

A pergola can serve as a stunning backdrop for a vegetable or herb garden. It can also be integrated into a flower garden to add color and scent. It can be covered in lush green vines like wisteria or ivy, which create a beautiful natural ambiance and provide a cooling effect on hot summer days.

While some people enjoy a pergola without any covering, others prefer to enhance the aesthetic of theirs by adding a drape or fabric. These simple additions are a cost-effective way to increase the ambiance of an outdoor space and give it a feeling of luxury and sophistication. They are available in a wide range of colors and patterns, so you can find one that perfectly matches your home or commercial property.

Adding a residential pergola to your outdoor living space is an excellent investment that can be enjoyed for years to come. It provides a beautiful and functional focal point that complements your landscape design while boosting the curb appeal of your home or commercial property. It can also help you achieve a more productive and healthy lifestyle by encouraging you to spend time outdoors.

A pergola is an excellent choice for residential or commercial properties and can be built to your specifications by a local landscape professional or purchased as a kit from one of the many well-known manufacturers in the U.S. Whether you decide on an attached or freestanding model, make sure to check with your local government for any permitting requirements that might apply. With the proper planning, you can be enjoying a pergola on your property in no time. Contact us at StruXure to learn more about the benefits of adding a pergola to your garden or landscaping design.

A floating deck is a versatile addition to any outdoor space, adding visual appeal while offering a variety of benefits. Some of the reasons to choose this type of deck include the ability to take advantage of scenic views or unique landscape features, not having to disturb existing tree roots, and a less invasive construction process. Floating decks are also easy to move, allowing you to reconfigure your outdoor space to meet changing needs and preferences.

Building a floating deck can be done with minimal materials, making it affordable for many homeowners. The main cost factor is the deck boards, which can be made of wood or composite material. Using composite is often less expensive than wood because it requires less maintenance and has better durability. The deck blocks used to support the structure are another major expense, though these are generally cheaper than concrete piers and do not require the excavation and cement mix that in-ground piers do.

In terms of other expenses, the size and height of your deck will affect the overall cost. Typically, the higher the deck, the more expensive it will be. Homeowners should consider the amount of use they will get out of their deck when choosing a height. If the deck will be used to hold furniture and people, a lower deck is best for safety and comfort.

It is essential to understand the rules and regulations in your area before starting any construction work. Your local building department or council should be able to tell you whether a permit is required and provide you with any relevant forms and information. They can also give you advice about how close to the property line or water/sewage pipes you can build your deck.

Before you begin constructing your deck, it is important to clear the site and remove any grass, weeds, or debris. It is also a good idea to call 811 before digging to have all buried utilities located and marked. This will help you avoid costly damage and injury.

Once the ground has been cleared, a layer of gravel can be laid down. This helps prevent weeds from growing underneath the deck and provides stability for the structure. Additionally, it will level uneven or sloping ground and reduce the chance that the deck may sink over time.

The final step before beginning construction is to prepare the site. This includes calling 811 to have all buried utilities (water, sewage, electrical) located and marked. It is also a good idea to use a vegetation-killing chemical on any areas where you plan on building your deck, as this will help prevent moisture damage and potentially dangerous plants from growing under your new deck.

A few other tools you will need for the project include a circular saw, a trowel, and a corded drill. A wheelbarrow will be helpful in transporting the concrete for the footings, and a measuring tape will be useful for ensuring accurate measurements.