Garden Decking Blogs

Unfortunately this bank holiday weekend is not looking as sunny as the previous bank holidays in 2011. Can you remember just a few weeks back, sitting outside with the family, enjoying the weather and relaxing? Well come to think of it, summer weekends are not too far away as June is just around the corner. So now is the time to prepare your garden, to maximise your summer experience.

The first step is to purchase some decking materials to create the perfect decking structure. Did you know that AVS Fencing Supplies stock a wide variety of deck boards consisting of Hardwood and Softwood and this ranges from; AVS Deckboards, Winchester Deckboards, Canterbury Decking and Hardwood Deckboards.

AVS Fencing Supplies are 100% confident that our Decking Boards ranges are ideal to create the perfect dream garden. So what are you waiting for? Come and purchase high quality garden decking all at affordable prices today in one of eight branches, or online on our brilliant user friendly website!

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.

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!

A new charity called Gardening Leave, has announced that they are going to help war veterans dig for victory by increasing their participation in more gardening activities. According to Anna Baker Cresswell, the charity’s chief executive: “It is a very simple concept. What the veterans get out of it is that they like to be together, they like to be outside, to have semi-structured activity in a safe, peaceful environment.”

Each passing month, the therapeutic benefits of being in the garden are becoming clearer and clearer. AVS Fencing Supplies want to encourage more people to take advantage of these therapeutic benefits by offering products and services to help you get the most out of your own garden experience. With the spending cuts announced by George Osborne this week, we could all do with a dose of theraputic therapy in our gardens!

Our products vary from railway sleepers, garden fencing and landscaping materials which can all be used to enhance your garden experience and add that spectacular feature to get the most out of your outside living space. Our green-fingered team at AVS Fencing Supplies are confident that you won’t be disappointed and you can start enjoying like others, the therapeutic benefits of being in your garden!  

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.

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! 

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.

With the Easter weekend fast approaching now a is a great time to start planning the improvements that you can make to your garden over this extended weekend!
 
Does your garden fencing need an update or is it time to replace your old garden gate with a new one?
 
Or are you feeling really adventurous? Perhaps its time to introduce some raised garden beds for your plants or perhaps its time for a new decking area to help you relax through the summer?
 
What ever project you have mind now is a great time to purchase your materials from AVS Fencing Supplies.  We offer a massive product range of fence panels, fence posts, gates, decking boards and railway sleepers and what's more we currently have some fabulous special offers on concrete fence posts and Canterbury decking.
 
Please feel free to browse our website to find out more!

Happy Easter from AVS Fencing!

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.

According to rightmove.co.uk, who represent 90% of the UK housing market, house prices are set to increase towards the end of 2009. So now is the time to start finishing those jobs you've been putting off for ages, such as fixing fence panels. The good news is that we have four easy ways to help you fix and improve your garden fencing.

Fixing fence panels is easy, here are four simple methods:

• Nail through the side framing batten into post – use galvanised nails to avoid rust stains – size 65 or 75mm long nail front and back separately using 3-4 nails on each face

• Use Panel Fixing Clips – use 3 clips per side for a 6’ 1.8m high fence panel

• Use Slotted Concrete Fence Posts – no fixings are needed as these are H-shape posts, therefore the panel is located in slot. The advantages of this are that the posts last for years and panels can be lifted out and replaced in minutes

• Always use Decking screws for all fencing panels and trellis, particularly when using our Grange Elite Range of fence panel. The AVS range of Carpenter Mate Decking Screws fix easily with a battery screwdriver without slipping as they have a special square socketed head (driver bit provided) and are coated for maximum corrosion protection. They self-drill through timber without splitting.

AVS Top Tip

Why not use Lap Panels for your garden fencing? They are not only cost effective, they are attractive too.

AVS supply lap panels in 4 different sizes, each Lap Panel is 6 foot wide with heights that vary between 3, 4, 5 and 6 feet (these are 915, 1220, 1525 and 1830mm respectively).
As well as variations in size, a range of colours are on offer, these being either a light beige (our pressure treated lap panels), orange-brown or darker brown.(our dipped panels).
It is important to remember when buying a panel that posts come in only 2 colours, light brown (known as green) or dark brown. This type of fencing is simple to erect making it an excellent choice for your garden fencing.

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.