The easy decking mistake that means you're laying it wrong and it could cost you thousands, says gardener

The Sun

02-06-2025

WITH summer nearly here, many homeowners are looking to give their garden a glow up ready for the sunshine.
A garden deck is the perfect place to pull up a lounger and soak up the rays on a hot day.
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But if it's not installed correctly, it can quickly become slippery and dangerous to use.
Poorly laid decking is more likely to warp or rot so you could have to fork out all over again for the job.
It could set you back £2,400 or more to replace your decking depending on the size of the area and the type of boards you choose.
Garden expert James Lewis, of MyBuilder.com said there's one extremely common error that can drastically cut the lifespan of your deck.
James told The Sun: 'While it might be a bit of an old faithful, it's surprising how often decking is actually installed completely wrong."
What's the correct way to lay decking?
The landscaping pro has warned that many DIY enthusiasts and even some tradespeople are laying their decking upside down.
He said: 'Often even in advertising images you'll see it with the grooves facing up.
'Because of this, so many people who want to build decking areas believe this is the correct way.
'Some also prefer the look of it, and others have the mistaken belief that the grooves facing up will make it less slippery – a common hazard with decking.
'But actually the correct way to install it is with the grooves in the wood facing downwards.'
And contrary to popular belief, having the grooves facing up doesn't prevent it from becoming slippery, according to James.
In fact, it's the reverse.
He said: 'Installing it grooves upwards can risk trapping water and debris, causing your decking to rot.
'If you wish for your decking to last longer, I recommend that you have it installed with the grooves facing down.
'This will allow for better air circulation within your decking and more efficient drying and drainage of its surface.'
Some decking has grooves on both sides.
In this case it's designed to go with the wider grooves facing downwards and the narrower ones facing up, according to manufacturers.
How to maintain decking
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If you want your deck to last as long as possible, you need to keep on top of algae and grime, according to Mark Irving, an expert at DIY supplier Build & Plumb.
Mark said: 'Regularly cleaning your timber decking is crucial for increasing the longevity of your deck and preventing the build-up of dirt.
'I recommend using a specialised decking cleaner for this process and always following the manufacturer's instructions before use.
'However, warm water and washing up liquid is a delicate, but effective solution for removing dirt and stains.
'Always ensure that you rinse your decking thoroughly after cleaning and leave it to fully dry before moving furniture back onto the deck.
'In addition, it's important to apply a good quality deck sealer to the surface of your decking at least once a year.
'This will create a protective layer on the surface of the decking, to prevent moisture penetration and decrease the likelihood of wood rot.'
How much does decking cost and how long should it last?
The most affordable material is pressure-treated softwood.
For an average sized deck, this costs roughly £2,400 in total, including the materials and installation costs, according to Mark.
He said: 'Typically, you can expect timber decking to last an average of 15 to 30 years, if it's installed and maintained correctly.'
Composite decking, which is made of plastic or synthetic materials, can cost about double the price of wooden boards.
But it's designed to last a lot longer.
Mark said: 'Composite decking is typically much more weather-resistant than timber decking.
'It requires far less regular maintenance and cleaning than wooden decking.
'Although composite decking does have higher initial costs than timber decking, its lifespan can reach up to 50 years, adding around 20 years onto the lifespan of wooden decking.'
How to find gardening bargains
Doing up your garden to enjoy on warm and sunny days needn't cost the earth.
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to get a top deal on items for the garden…
You can bag big savings on plants, shrubs and flowers, as well as gardening tools and furniture.
Many retailers have flash sales across entire seasonal ranges – often these promotions tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout.
Sign up to mailing lists of your favourite brands and you'll be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
Use a price comparison site to search out the best value items.
And keep a close eye on the specialbuys at Aldi and middle of Lidl drops which drop a couple of times a week and usually mean great value seasonal items for your outdoor areas.
If you are not in a hurry to buy an item, try adding it to the shopping cart online and leaving it for a couple of days.
Sometimes big brands will try to tempt you into the sale by offering you a discount.
And always check if you can get cashback before paying.
It's especially worth using sites such as Topcashback, Quidco and app Jamdoughnut when buying bigger ticket items such as garden furniture as you'll get a nice kickback.