Decking Blogs

Are you are planning on building a deck ready for the spring? If so we have put together some helpful advice on things you may need to consider for your decking project. 

- Plan and design the deck carefully before you buy your materials. This is essential to help reduce wastage and save you money.

- Buy geotextile membrane to prevent weeds growing up through the deck boards. This not only maintains the appearance of the decking, but protects it from damage caused by more aggressive foliage.

- You should use handrails if the deck is going to be more than 600mm raised off the ground.

- Double check that the decking frame is rigid and level before you fit the boards, as it will easier to make adjustments before you do add them.

- Treat any cut ends with a suitable timber treatment to ensure durability.

- If you are using hardwood decking boards, you will need to pre drill holes for fixing. A process that isn’t necessary for softwood boards. 

We offer a variety of balustrade styles and deck panels in wood and metal. This can add an individual appearance to your garden, and there is something to suit all tastes.

For more decking ideas and decking materials, view our project centre on the website or visit your local branch. 

A great decking idea for new decking or to enhance your existing deck is to use deck panels to surround the decking. All of our metal deck panels will add style to your garden, as well as providing practical railing. We stock two main types of metal panels, those which are suitable for fixing to a metal bolt down post and those which can be screwed to timber posts and hand rails. There is a selection of different styles to suit all tastes!

The screw fix panels are available in two elegant designs and come in a pack of four 280mm wide pieces, which will create an 1130 (W) x 770mm panel when fixed to the timber posts. The bolt down panels, which are available in three stylish designs, come in one piece that measures 1130 (W) x 813mm.

All of these panels are zinc plated, powder coated and are available in black and silver. For more decking ideas and expert advice visit our project centre or one of our eight branches today. 

Have you wanted to build a great looking deck recently?

Decking makes a great outdoor area for entertaining guests, meals alfresco and more. However, sometimes we need some inspiration and ideas for making decking eye-catching.

Have you considered alternating a reversible deck like the Canterbury boards (pictured below). Here you can see a fantastic example of how this smooth and grooved alternation can give depth and texture to your decking.

Why not add a bit of practicality to your decking with the new anti slip decking strip. This great little strip provides extra grip in wet and frosty weather. It fits neatly into the grooves of our Canterbury deckboard and is great on stairs and ramps.

Finally, to provide that finishing touch and to prevent people from falling off the edge of raised decks, why not add some Decking Hand Rails. AVS Fencing stock Newal Posts and Spindles, which come in both a classic and contemporary range, to suit anyone's tastes.

For more decking products and decking ideas, visit our decking section online or pop in to your local branch.

AVS Fencing has launched an e-newsletter for customers who want to keep up to date with the latest news, offers and expert advice on a range of garden fencing, decking and railway sleepers. So now you don't have to remember to visit, we will bring our news to you.

Customers who have signed up to the e-newsletter can expect a fortnightly email from AVS Fencing Supplies.

As well as the great advice and company news, there will also be the opportunity to get exclusive discounts from AVS Fencing Supplies.

How do I subscribe?
It is simple really. All you need to do is enter your details into the box on the right hand side of our homepage. Hit the sign up button and you will be ready to start recieving updates from AVS Fencing.

So if you are interested in keeping up-to-date with the latest garden fencing, decking, railway sleepers and landscaping products, as well as receiving exclusive discounts. Sign up to the AVS E-Newsletter now.

So are you looking for the best high quality and affordable decking available? Look no further than AVS Fencing Supplies.

AVS Fencing Supplies have been an established decking supplier since 1987 and this specialist supplier is illustrated by the huge variety of Hardwood and Softwood decking stocked.

Currently our most popular softwood decking ranges are Winchester and Canterbury decking, as they look great and are at outstanding prices. However our Hardwood AVS deck range is worth a look as it’s made from Balau hardwood which is also popular for its reliability when exposed to the damp and sunlight.

So if you are looking forward to the summer months and want the best decking in town, you will need to come to AVS Fencing Supplies who are proud to offer you the following:

1. Competitive Decking Prices
2. High Quality Decking
3. An industry leading free delivery service on all orders over £120.00!

With all these superb reasons to buy decking from AVS Fencing Supplies, what are you waiting for? Contact us today or come visit us at one of our 8 branches.

With spring finally upon on us and the sun now out, it's a great time to get into your garden and get it ready for use during the spring and summer months. To get the most out of your garden you should ensure that your garden fencing is both attractive and secure and you could also take this opportunity to consider some landscaping improvements. Perhaps this is the year where you could introduce a new decking area or perhaps you could construct some raised beds using railway sleepers to really help enhance your flower arrangements.

Here at AVS Fencing Supplies we offer a great range of products that can help you get your garden in tip top shape. If for example you decide you need new garden fence panels then we offer a large range, including lap fence panels, sturdier closeboard fence panels and even grange elite fence panels for those of you looking for that extra special finish.

However, if you are more inclined to introduce some landscaping improvements to your garden than lets us help you by selecting from our decking materials or railway sleeper products. Our range includes quality Winchester decking, Canterbury decking, new railway sleepers and reclaimed railway sleepers amongst many others!

So if you have a garden project on the horizon and you need any garden fencing or landscaping products come and view our fantastic online selection or come into one of our 8 branches across the south east, all of which will offer you outstanding customer service and free delivery options.

It may sound slightly ironic to get your garden ready for the early spring during the winter months, however, by choosing this method, it takes all the pressure off you to get the garden ready in record time. We can already see that the evenings are getting lighter and the way time flies, spring will be on us in no time.

So if you need fencing, railway sleepers, decking or any other landscaping items, AVS Fencing should be your first choice as we have an experienced team, a large stock profile at all our eight branches and last but not least free delivery options!

With all garden design being so fashionable, it is interesting to see the origins of modern garden design. This week, we look at garden decking.

So where did garden decking spring from (no pun intended!)

Decking used to be considered a luxury as it was expensive, so only the rich and opulent were fortunate enough to have it. It was also used on piers and viewing galleries overlooking the glorious British countryside.

Times changed for the better and now decking is becoming much more affordable, so decking is gracing British gardens up and down the country.

So, why have Garden Decking?

Decking is great for extending the sitting area of your house, or perhaps marking out the corner of your garden for a nice tranquil quiet zone. Decking does add value to your house which one can't complain about – especially in an economic crisis! We need all the help we can get.

Can I build a Decking area myself?

Yes, if you have good DIY esperience and knowledge of building complicated wooden structures. It needs to be very safe as it will be well used. You can find out more about decking by clicking here, and remember to ask our experts as they have a wealth of knowledge in these areas and can guide you to buy the right product.

So go on, now is the time to get that garden project on the move ready to reap the rewards of a spectacular garden, in the spring and the summer months.

If all you want for Christmas is a smart looking outdoor living space, then you are going to need to come to AVS Fencing Supplies. With the New Year bringing with it a feeling of out with the old and in with the new, 2011 makes the perfect year to secure the garden of your dreams.

It can seem quite ironic to think of revamping the garden in the middle of winter, but the reality is this is the time to evaluate your outdoor space. We all too often decide to do this during high temperatures and suddenly the pressure is on to get the garden done in record time.

So why not plan your garden for next year in order to give your self time to choose the correct Garden Fence, Decking, Railway Sleepers or Landscaping products you need.

And when you are ready to purchase, either buy online or phone one of our eight branches, where our staff will be happy to help you secure your goods.

According to www.thisisnottingham.co.uk, Sue Thompson is a resident of Lark Hill Retirement Village, and she is quite right to feel proud of her award-winning winter garden in this year's East midlands neighbourhood category of Nottingham in Bloom.

Sue and a group of residents worked together to create this award-winning garden, which in turn helped to make the residential home a better place to live. Mrs Thompson explained “The gardens have helped break down barriers and were a conversation starter”.

What makes a winter garden special?

Any garden can be winter garden if it appears to stand out and look beautiful at a time when everything else in the winter landscape is dull, plain and brown is outstanding alone. If you want your property to be up there with the elite, in the height of winter as well as in summer, now is the time to get working on it.

So come and choose AVS Fencing Supplies who are proud specialist suppliers of Garden Fencing, Decking, Railway Sleepers and landscaping products all of high quality, at affordable prices!

According to our friends UK Net guide “Taking good care of a garden is key to enjoying it and a bit of do-it-yourself (DIY) is enough to keep it in tip top form”. So we are calling upon gardeners and householders to make preparations for the cold spell and get their gardens 'winter fit' to keep them in good shape over the cold months!

So do you want to keep your garden fence, decking or furniture protected this winter? Well if you do, come and see our fantastic ranges of Timber Stains which includes; Protek Safe and natural, Protek Wood Protector and Creosotes which are all perfect wood treatments.

So what are you waiting for? Come and see our fantastic wood treatments that enhance and protect your fence, decking or garden furniture to ensure it is in top condition, ready for next spring!

AVS Fencing Supplies are suppliers of Garden Fencing & Decking materials, we have a great website shop or you can call and order over the telephone. With our broad ranges of products including all types of fencing and gates, wooden fences, fence posts & fence panels, garden fencing & driveway gates, Decking and Railway Sleepers. Delivering to private clients, construction industry and fencing contractors. With the added fantastic free delivery service available for on-line internet shop customers.

Did you know us at AVS have a base near Lewes in East Sussex, and from here we are able to offer Free Delivery over the whole of East Sussex and Kent? (subject to a minimum order value). The following towns are amongst those we deliver to in Kent: Ashford, Aylesford, Bromley, Canterbury, Chatham, Cranbrook, Dartford, Edenbridge, Faversham, Gravesend, Gillingham, Hythe Hawkhurst, Headcorn, Maidstone, New Romney, Orpington, Pembury, Southborough, Rochester, Romney Marsh, Sandwich, Sevenoaks, Sheerness, Sittingbourne, Snodland, Tenterden, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, West Malling & Westerham.

The following towns and City's are amongst those we deliver to in the East Sussex area are: Battle, Bexhill on Sea, Brighton, Crowborough, Eastbourne, Etchingham, Flimwell, Forest Row, Hailsham, Hartfield, Hastings, Heathfield, Hove, Lewes, Mayfield, Newhaven, Peacehaven, Pevensey, Polegate, Robertsbridge, Rye, Seaford, St Leonards on Sea, Uckfield, Wadhurst & Winchelsea.

Normally AVS Fencing use our own fleet of vehicles to undertake your delivery to retain effective control over your delivery whether it be for Fence Panels or Railway Sleepers, Decking or Gates, you are in safe hands with us!

With our six branches located across the South of England areas we are also able to deliver to areas including Kent, East Sussex & West Sussex, London, Essex, Herts, Bucks, Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire & Cambridgeshire.

Remember for your own peace of mind all sawn Timber Fence Posts from AVS Fencing are covered by our own 15 year Guarantee! However if you would prefer concrete fence posts and concrete gravel boards for your Garden Fencing we have a full range of these fencing materials as well!

Try us out today, let us supply your Garden fencing materials, Decking & Railway Sleepers and gates. Please remember delivery is free.

Do you have deckboards in your garden; are they starting to look like they need a new coat? Well how about checking out AVS fencing supplies Decking stain ranges. Our ranges vary from New wood treatment, old wood treatment and also decking stains on a range of colours from Dark Oak, Rosewood, Country Pine and Clear.

Our decking stain ranges offer a quality professional finish with that added extra protection for our blustery British weather.

To make things a little easier for you come and view our incredible prices on all our Decking Stains on our AVS website to make sure you can get that professional finish for the late summer months.

It is thanks to Eric Pickles who suspended the Home Information Packs (HIPs) which has prevented a slump in an already fragile housing market. According to Rightmove.co.uk, the new government decision has actually increased 22% of sellers coming into the market. This is therefore having a direct impact on average notional price increases in the housing market.

With this excellent news at our fingertips, now is the time to add some extra value onto your property, by creating that dream garden. Improving your garden can add 10% to the value of your property. AVS Fencing Supplies have a huge range of materials to 'add' that something special.

Why not add some decking, trellising or even some railway sleepers? Railway sleepers also make great raised bed walls. Or perhaps you may want to improve your kerb appeal? Try some of our garden or driveway gates. We have a range of metal gates and timber gates.

Have a browse through our website and discover all of our other garden products.

Our good friends at the BBC have written an interesting article about the effects of gardening for children. Their report of 1,300 teachers and 10 schools indicated that children who were involved in gardening were more resilient, confident and most importantly, lived healthier lives. You can see the report by clicking here.

Dr Kroon comments on the importance of the research conclusion and hopes that the new coalition government consider this in their new approach to primary curriculum, by understanding the real benefits of having an ideal garden. The report said: "it encouraged pupils to become more active in solving problems, as well as boosting literacy and numeracy skills."

Perhaps we should also encourage the coalition government to build a garden in the Houses of Parliament to help them figure out how to reduce the deficit in a painless way – although we wouldn't want the cost being added to their expenses!

Like Dr Kroon, we at AVS want to inspire you to create a garden, whether as a family, or an individual, so you can start to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Our new Railway Sleepers are the ideal product to create a raised bed for vegetation. Or perhaps try or our Decking Ranges to enjoy at the end of the week for some much needed relaxation. Whatever you desire for that dream garden, here at AVS we try to provide you with all you need.

At AVS Fencing we believe in sustaining long and existing partnerships and due to this concept, we decided to assist Contractor Lorrie Barker of Garden Landscapes of Pulborough West Sussex, with his garden display at this years Hampton Court Flower Show. We supplied Lorrie with some of our quality decking which he used as part of his Japense themed Garden and we are very happy to announce that Lorrie won a gold medal for his display! 

The garden was inspired by Konpira-san, a mountain and Shinto shrine in Kagawa, Japan. There are 1368 steps leading from the base of the mountain to the shrine above. The ukijima (floating islands) evoke the islands of the Seto sea when viewed from the top of the mountain, which are represented in the garden by our decking.

For those of you who haven’t heard about the Hampton Court Flower Show you should know that the (RHS) Royal Horticultural Society arranges a number of shows including those at Hampton Court and Chelsea, which are well known events now part of the social calendar. Here one can see all the latest trends and gain great design ideas for the garden. These shows also offer a chance for garden designers and landscapers to showcase some of their best work. 

There is always the opportunity to meet in person the personalities and garden designers who are well reported, with some great BBC television coverage introduced by presenters Joe Swift and Rachel de Thame. 

As well as the decking we supplied for this garden, AVS Fencing Supplies provide much more with a wide range of products available via our comprehensive on-line shop; items include Garden Fence Panels, Garden Decking, Railway Sleepers & Garden Gates and all of this can be purchased online and with the added extra benefit of free delivery! (subject to area & min order value).

Wow! Summer has finally arrived.

With statistically the hottest month of the year finally upon us, now is time for you to make some changes to your garden Decking. After all, you really want to be able to enjoy the rest of the summer – as it started so late!

See our Garden Decking selection. Our range of decking materials are perfect for being creative with your outside decking! Even if you don't consider yourself a Picasso, and you are having problems letting your imagination run wild – we can help you. Call our help and advice line.

It won't be long until you are enjoying the summer in alfresco style with friends and family. If you fancy a new deck why not check out AVS Fencing Supplies current offer on AVS Deckboards! 

With the football World Cup about to get underway and patriotism running high, now is a great time to bring your friends and family together and show support for your country! With the sun also shining, what better way to do this than to organise a weekend BBQ and watch the big match in the comfort of your own home. To add a little extra magic to the day, you could also install a garden deck before the big game.

Garden decks are a great place to relax and congregate with your friends and with AVS Fencing Supplies currently offering a great deal on Winchester decking, you could create this space for a fraction of the usual price. You can also buy online for extra convenience!

With summer nearly upon us, now is a great time to spruce up your garden and ensure it looks its best for your enjoyment over the next few months.
 
Perhaps you could add an attractive trellis to your garden fence line and then trail flowers through this, or perhaps you could add a garden deck, which would both be functional and an attractive addition.

Did you know that trellis dates back to the roman times?

You can see some of the oldest examples of trellis work  in the gardens  of Pompeii and Herculaneum. They used the trellis to support plants and vines for their wine-making, and to create a seclusion in the gardens with beautifully scented plants – it gave the romans the perfect place to relax and drink their hard-earned wine! Shame they hadn't quite discovered decking!

Summer is finally here! Now is a great time to create a garden decking area for your home!
 
Not only will this potentially add value to your property, but it will create a great outdoor space for use when having friends and family over, never mind summer BBQ's!
 
If you think this is a great idea then AVS Fencing Supplies can offer you all the products you will need, including decking boards, base rail, membrane and decking spindles and newel posts.
 
What's more we also currently have some great offers on Winchester decking and Canterbury decking which means you can create your perfect decked area at a fraction of the normal price!
 
Oh and if you need any advice, our advisors will be happy to help you over the phone, so please feel free to call us.

Why are we talking about building a deck base in this awful British weather? Don't ask me!

If your garden has not flooded, and you have a weekend spare, then why not prepare you garden for decking. You never know, you may be able to enjoy BBQ next spring. Or perhaps eat your Christmas dinner on the new decking area if you have a nice patio heater, like the Zeus which was recently pitched on Dragons Den.

There is no right or wrong way to build a deck base. The objective is to create a solid level timber structure to fit the decking boards too - simple! What really helps is that the decking base is not seen so it does not matter what it looks like!

Two tools that will help you to do the job properly are:

• Landscaping screws will join timber easily and firm:
• Joist Hangers to butt joint one timber rail to another (rails are sometimes known as joists).

Both tools are easy to use and fast to use.

Use timber posts concreted into the ground to hold the structure in place.

The decking design will depend on the space you have which is a result of how high above the ground the deck is to be. Where space allows use beams to support joists, for example, if your deck is 3.60m wide and you have created a framework supported with Timber Posts and have fixed in place your 3.60m joists, then set at 450mm centres without additional support. At 3.60m long these joists will be too flexible to support the deck in the centre.

This is where a another larger timber rail (sometimes called a beam), set this immediately under and at 90 degrees to you. Set joists at approx every 1.8m in mid position with posts to support the beam. Without too many additional posts you now have a firm deck structure which you may fix your decking Boards to.

You are thinking of building a garden decking this summer and are not quite sure where to start. Simple start here with a guide that will help you through the maize that decking. There is nothing easier so read on. What is a garden deck in its simplest form? A garden deck is a platform covered in timber which can be either at low level, near the ground or high level, raised from the ground. There are no real rules about what you can and cannot do with decking as long as the space is firm and strong to support the deck boards then you will have successful decking.

You certainly don’t need to be a master carpenter to create a great garden deck, create the base for the deck out of timber fence posts and timber joists. Typically the fence posts can be 100x100 in size or slightly larger if the deck is raised off the ground by more than a couple of feet. Timber joists typically 150x47mm and 100x47mm can then be used to form a level framework on which to lay the deck boards. The timber support posts are normally connected with a beam and the timber joists can be fixed to the beam using joist hangers, other timber connections between the timber joists can be done using landscape screws, our carpenters mate range of landscape screws are ideal for this.

The look and feel of the finished deck will be influenced by the type of deck board you choose, two main types of decking boards are available from AVS hardwood and softwood treated. The softwood treated decking boards are available in grooved, reeded and smooth options. The best method to fix the decking boards down onto the timber joists is to use AVS Fencing decking screws which avoid splitting the timber and normally avoid the need for pre-drilling, unlike nails can be removed if the boards need to be lifted for any reason.

I believe building a timber decking is a job that most people who are fairly practical can easily do and will make a great addition to your garden. All of the decking materials are available from AVS Fencing for building your garden decking, the first step to your garden decking would, I suggest be sketching out a plan of the size of decking you want. Mark it out in the area you have allocated for it then you can check ground levels and get a feel for what this would look like when it is completed within your garden.

On a final safety note if your decking is going to be raised off the ground you will also need to consider balustrading or timber hand railing to prevent people falling from your deck.

AVS Fencing Supplies are pleased to be offering our support to a stand at this years RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (July 7-12).

The Tudor Rose Garden has been created by local garden designer Chris Burns. Chris an MS sufferer, has created this 'senses' garden with less abled people in mind and the stand (D40) will be used to promote three different charities - the MS Society, the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) and the NBCS (National Blind Children’s Society).

The stand itself has been cleverly designed so that it will look like a Tudor rose from above and the display itself uses different techniques so that everyone can enjoy it:

• The plants have been specially grown and chosen for their qualities of promoting the senses with scent, texture and sound.
• All the labelling is in Braille and has been printed by the RNIB, so even those without sight can experience the plants and read about them.
• Special non-slip paint has been used on the walkways and the raised beds show how disabled people can more easily tend plants that are higher off the ground.

AVS Fencing Supplies have been pleased to provide decking and timber posts for use on the display and we are sure the finished result will look fantastic.

For anyone intending to visit the show this year please ensure you pop over to stand D40 to lend your support and experience this great display.

With the weather starting to improve and summer fast approaching, now is a great time to review your garden and sort out any fencing or landscaping projects that you have in mind.

Here at AVS Fencing Supplies we realise that summer never seems long enough, so when it does finally arrive you want to be able to sit back and enjoy it, without worrying about the state of your garden.

To help you create your perfect garden for summer, AVS Fencing Supplies offer a range of great products for sale via our Website & local branches. We offer core products including fence panels, timber fence posts, concrete fence posts, feather edge boards, gravel boards, chestnut paling, as well as a range of landscaping products including new & second hand railway sleepers & multi profile deck boards.

With such a great range of quality garden fencing & landscape products at competitive prices, we are sure that AVS Fencing Supplies can help you find exactly what you need no matter what job you have in mind.

Whether you need to repair a dilapidated fence, want to build a brand new garden fence, create your dream decking area or install some raised flower beds using railway sleepers, we can supply you with what you need.

Search our website now to find the garden fencing or landscaping products that you require and then buy online quickly & securely to get your garden project under way.

AVS Fencing Supplies are pleased to announce the launch of our new and improved homepage. This has been designed with you the customer in mind and aims to provide you with a streamlined process when buying your fencing & landscaping products online. Whether you are looking for fencing, decking, railway sleepers or gates our homepage will lead you to exactly what you want.

In addition you now have new and improved access to special online deals in our frequently updated Web Offers Section. These are updated constantly and offer great savings to you on products such as Lap Panels, Featheredge, Railway Sleepers, Concrete Posts & Aggregates.

Finally to ensure you don’t miss out on this seasons must have products, we have launched our 'Top 10 buys of the month'. Here you can see what fencing & landscaping related products our other customers are buying, in order to gain some inspiration and help towards your purchasing decisions.

We hope you like our new website and look forward to doing business with you soon.