Timber garden decking in Evesham, planned for Vale soils and gardens close to the Avon, with careful attention to drainage, ventilation and a frame that stays dry.
Evesham sits in the flat Vale, beside the River Avon, with market-garden land all around it. That is good growing country, and it also means heavy soil, a fairly high water table in places and gardens that can stay wet well into spring.
Decking can work very well in those conditions, as long as the frame is designed for them. We build timber decks for homes in Evesham and the villages around it, and our first question is often not about boards at all, but about where the water goes after a wet week.
Clay and loam soils hold moisture, so the base under a deck needs more attention than people expect. We usually lay a weed-suppressing membrane over a levelled area, add free-draining material and keep a proper gap between the ground and the underside of the frame. Footings go on firm ground, not soft topsoil. The design itself can be simple: one clean rectangle by the back door, or a corner platform for the sunniest spot. Because the Vale is open and fairly flat, gardens often catch plenty of sun, so think about shade from a pergola or a parasol before choosing the position.
A flat garden might seem easy, but it still needs a fall so rain does not pool on the deck. We build in a slight slope away from the house and check where surface water currently runs. Where the lawn sits a little below the patio doors, a deck can bring you out on a level, with one or two steps down to the grass. Those steps need a firm base rather than sitting on soil, and any raised section may need handrails. Properties near the river sometimes see occasional flooding, so we talk about using materials and fixings that cope with damp.
Damp air near the river means green growth, so brush the boards regularly and clear any debris from the gaps. Treat the timber when it dries out and starts to look grey and thirsty, and keep plant pots on feet so moisture cannot sit under them. If the boards are tired but the joists still feel solid, new boards are a fair compromise. Where the frame has soaked up water for a long time, you may see sagging, spongy ends or fixings pulling out. At that point a rebuild on a better-drained base makes more sense than another coat of stain.
We cover Evesham and the Vale of Evesham villages, as well as Pershore, Broadway and Upton upon Severn. Living in market-garden country means plenty of gardens that back onto fields, orchards or glasshouses, and some of them are open to the wind. We take that into account when positioning screens and choosing how tall a balustrade should be. Whether you have a new-build garden on the edge of town or an older place near the river, we are happy to visit, look at the ground and give you straightforward advice on what will suit it.
We also take on garden decking work in nearby Pershore, Broadway, Upton upon Severn.
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It can be, provided the frame is ventilated and the ground beneath is prepared for drainage. Without that, damp is the main thing that shortens the life of a deck, so we plan for it from the start.
Yes, where it is sensible. We discuss flood risk, choose fixings and timber that cope with wet conditions, and set the deck height so water can pass beneath rather than push against it.
It depends on the size, access and ground. A simple deck can be finished in a few days, while a raised or multi-level design takes longer. We will give a realistic idea once we have seen the site.
SPR Trees & Landscapes, 6 Rose Avenue, Worcester, WR4 9PY
Tell us what you need in Evesham and we will get back to you, usually the same day.
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