Tel: Buyers Guide

Transcription

1 2015 Tel: Buyers Guide

2 What is your budget? If you price your project on what you have seen at a DIY outlet, then you are looking at a DIY solution. This will suit a low budget and could add value to an average value property. If your property is above average value, the decking or structure should be in keeping with the property, so we would recommend that you use a specialist provider who uses better quality timber and building techniques. Don t be put off discussing what you are prepared to spend on a project. If you have spoken to specialist companies about costings prior to having quotes for your work then you will have a general idea what your project may cost. You can then discuss your ideas to see what is achievable. Grand ideas may end up being just that rather than a reality. Does the company have a website? This is important as it is a shop window to the company s work and openness about how they conduct their business. But beware it may not contain all of the work by the company that owns the website. How long has the company been designing and installing decks and outdoor structures? This is generally a good indication as to how the company has performed along with its reputation given the past and current economic climate. Are the structures they built 10+ years ago still standing. Can they show you examples where they have added on to existing structures or the customer has moved and asked for a structure at their new property. Some companies may market themselves as being the best but in fact have only been building for a few years. Does the company offer a 'Lifetime Guarantee' for its workmanship? This not only gives a customer peace of mind but also confirms that the company stands by its ability to build sound reliable structures. The measure of this would be how many elevated projects have been built by the company as it s these structures that would be more at risk if not built properly. Does the company publish what its customers say? Have a look at the company s website to see if they have a testimonials page or news page that showcases current projects and latest developments. These should be spanning a reasonable period of time Phone: sales@qtdgroup.com Website:

3 Have the pictures of the decks been taken and built by the company? Unfortunately there are a few companies that think it s ok to digitally enhance deck pictures to make them appear to have been built in exotic locations in an attempt to raise their profile. These projects are usually built by non UK based companies. Also website pictures of projects maybe displaying another company s handiwork to promote a specific timber. If it looks good ask questions and see if you can speak to the owner to get a recommendation. If you can see it, it will be worth it. Do they have a good cross-section of projects that demonstrates their skills? If a company gallery shows mainly flat on the ground decks then that is what they build. If you require something more complicated whether elevated or across water then you should look for a company that clearly shows that it can build such timber structures. Is the company qualified and insured to carry out your work? Anyone can pay to be a member of an association. However, the organizations that audit a company s quality, process and procedures and has insurances in place to protect the customer, are the ones you should be talking too. What does PEFC and FSC full chain of custody mean? These certifications are explained in our quality section. But briefly if you want to buy timber that is certified from a sustainable source where the chain from forest through to you the customer is genuine, then you should request a chain of custody number (COC) on their paperwork. Certified timber cannot be passed to you as certified if the company you are buying from is not PEFC or FSC registered. Phone: sales@qtdgroup.com Website:

4 Do they have experience working with different timbers and know which provide the best results? There are many species of softwood and hardwood timber used in building decks, all of which will react differently to the changing weather conditions that prevail in the UK. However some of these will give you a short service life either because the knots fall out or they are poorly preserved and quickly deteriorate and rot or in the case of hardwood they badly twist and cup, breaking the screws that hold them down. Most of the time this will be result of buying cheap. In the timber market Price generally reflects Quality. Only slow grown softwoods from cold climates and heat modified softwood should be used externally. This is identified by the closeness of the growth rings seen on the ends of the timber. The Hardwood that has provided the best performance has been Ipe pronounced (ee-pay) because of its Durability Stability Hardness Strength. However, during the past few years the quality standard being supplied in the UK has been diminishing. The stability and surface quality has become an issue. ThermoWood Hardwoods on the other hand have proved over the last 3-4 years to be ideal replacements due to their excellent durability and stability credentials. They are Non-Amazonian and tick all the ecological requirements. Why are Deckboards Grooved? Marketing/Advertising are powerful tools when used to promote products into the UK market. Damp and wet winters/summers meant that grooved boards would provide a non slip surface. The facts are that wet timber in domestic use will only be slippery if it is not cleaned once a year like patio slabs. What you are not told is that grooved boards collect the dirt and debris, therefore preventing the water from draining away. Even with a slight slope engineered into the deck. It is this build up that deteriorates the timber quickly and thus makes it slippery. In some commercial applications where maintenance is minimal and it has high footfall, shady or tree covered areas then resin aggregate strips are inserted. Phone: sales@qtdgroup.com Website:

5 What s wrong with buying from my local DIY store or Builders Merchant? Nothing. If you are looking for a quick fix and are proficient with power tools and want to tidy up a space with the short term view of maybe selling your property then you will not want to spend too much. However, if you are looking to benefit from your labours or need the experts to come in and design something that can add real value for years to come then the deck will only be as good as the timber it is built in. You should talk to companies that can supply quality timber for you to build your own project and also build with it themselves. Also talk to timber merchants whose main business is selling timber. Some companies will sell you timber that gives them the best margin and not give you the best timber for your needs. So do some research first. Should a deck be nailed or screwed together? You can use either however, if it is longevity and quality you are after then make sure the framework is screwed together with strong outdoor screws and the deckboards etc also screwed with proper deck screws. If the deckboards are made from stable timbers like heat modified softwoods and hardwoods or cedar you will be able to use trimhead finishing screws which have a very small head and so virtually disappear on the surface. Nailing is quicker and cheaper but due to natural movements in timber they will not hold as firmly as screws and the structure and boards will become loose. Nailing down deckboards will also have a tendency to split the wood and damage the surface and is generally done when quality is not a requirement. Do I need planning permission? Council planning departments are changing the rules and guidelines on a regular basis, some are justified but most are seen as an easy revenue stream. So unfortunately to save any embarrassment after the event, please discuss your plans with your local council if you think it is relevant. On most occasions it will be fine and is better for the environment than covering the area with concrete slabs and brick walls Phone: sales@qtdgroup.com Website:

6 12 Advantages of Timber Decking! 1. You are able to easily level your outdoor decking space to meet your indoor flooring level. Extending your internal space at the same level creates a smooth transition from indoors to outdoors. 3. That space in your garden that you never use? Decking over dead grass or a poorly drained grass area allows you to re-use the space again. 6. Wood has a naturally attractive look to it that composite products struggle to replicate, thus offering you the authentic elegance of the real deal. 8. Areas prone to flooding benefit from elevated decks by allowing the flood water to flow beneath the structure unhindered, instead of diverting it around a concrete structure 4. Add Value to your property! 2. If you have un even ground levels that s not a problem! Sloping or uneven ground can be made useable by supporting a deck on posts Independent surveys show that properly designed and built decks that compliment the property add a significant return on investment. 9. Decking areas will provide at least 20 years of practical outdoor living space 5. Projects can be quite simple with minimal time frames and disruption whilst being built. 7. ThermoWood timbers now provide a stable and durable alternative to tropical timbers that s ecologically sustainable. 10. Decking can also be modified easily to accommodate changing lifestyles. 11. You can easily design and create modern looking outside areas using the same timber to create the decking. For example matching benches, planters, bar areas, sheds, summer houses, storage units etc. 12. If you do plan on keeping your decking looking as fresh as possible, then the wood can also be cleaned and oiled each year to help recapture that newly bought look. Dispel the Myth There is no such thing as maintenance free decking. All composite and timber decks will require cleaning once a year to remove surface grime build up just as you would clean your patio slabs or blockwork driveway. A clean surface avoids it becoming slippery when wet, regardless of the material its made from. Phone: sales@qtdgroup.com Website: