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Did you know that not all decking has to be raised? Ground-level decks sit perfectly flat with the rest of the outdoor surface, be it a private garden, a park or a commercial space, and are a brilliant way to create new zones in a single area. Think morning coffees and evening BBQs, all from the comfort of even, durable ground.

If you are thinking about installing a ground-level deck, get inspired by our EcoChoice experts’ favourite design ideas.

Contemporary Chic Timber

Bring a modern touch to your outdoor setting with durable timber in a contemporary tone. Your wood does not have to remain a natural colour but can instead be personalised to suit your style, with stains and finishes ideal for a modern garden. Why not try a grey finish on your decking for an on-trend look?

Play around with oils, stains and paint possibilities to add a unique touch to your timber decking, or allow it to weather naturally to a beautiful silver/grey.

Choose Your Accessories Wisely

Cluttered decking is never a good look, and it is important to consider your decor when designing your space. If you want to kit out your ground-level deck with a family-size BBQ, sofa set and plant pots, you are going to need a large area!

For spaces which are not quite that large, we recommend following the mantra of “less is more”. Prioritise comfortable seating and a couple of must-have items; we love a rattan hanging chair for a piece which blends comfort with style, or a chimenea for late nights under the stars.

Add a Timber Pergola

Timber on timber is our favourite trend! By adding a DIY timber pergola to your ground-level decking, you elevate the space and bring a new dimension to your outdoor area. It also provides a function in the form of shade, with half-pergolas or those with slatted timber planks letting you enjoy the best of both worlds. Oak or Douglas fir are usually the most commonly used species to make up a pergola.

Define Your Decking With Raised Beds

Many outdoor areas suit a ground-level deck, but if you are a little worried about your timber looking out of place, there are ways you can blend it in. One is to define the edges and add another timber element with raised beds made from timber sleepers. These could be New Oak or treated softwood, or perhaps even reclaimed hardwood sleepers if you prefer that shabby chic look!

We love it when these are used on one or two edges of the decking, running the full length of that side. Choose a matching or complimentary timber species, fill it with lush green or beautiful blooms, and blend your decking with the rest of your space.

Multi-Level Ground Decking

One of the fun design features of ground-level decking is that it does not have to stay at ground level. We know it sounds like a clash of concepts, but stick with us here!

Your ground level can have raised elements, such as a higher decking space for your BBQ or plant pots. It can also sink lower, with an outer edge at ground level before diving down into an uber-cool sunken seating space or fire pit.

While we love the practicalities of a ground-level deck, do not limit yourself if you do not want to.

Find Sustainable Timber Decking

Of course, the number 1 inspiration for ground-level decking is always going to be sustainable timber. Build your deck on solid, eco-conscious foundations and the rest will come naturally.

If you are looking for responsibly sourced timber to build your ground-level decking, our team at EcoChoice can help. Learn more about our PEFC and FSC-certified timber decking boards and find your perfect species match by getting in touch with us today.

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Inspirational deck ideas

Ask Joe! Expert industry advice

Unsure which timer is best for your project?

Our timber experts have years of experience and will be able to match the perfect species to your project, as well as provide a quote for sustainable timber at highly competitive prices.

Frequently asked questions

Do you supply timber for domestic uses?

Yes, we supply timber for domestic applications as well as commercial and public constructions. From garden decking to shed cladding, we will be happy to supply smaller deliveries for home use.

Is your timber FSC-certified?

Yes, all timber we supply is FSC or PEFC certified and sourced from independently verified responsibly managed forests. If we can’t find your request in FSC/PEFC certified timber we’ll suggest an alternative that is certified or clearly note that the offer is minimum EUTR.

Where does EcoChoice deliver to?

EcoChoice delivers to construction sites, warehouses and homes across the UK, as long as there’s access and unloading for our trucks.

What are the best timber species for exterior use?

There are many different timber species suitable for exterior use and which is the best for your project depends on your requirements. In general, though, we recommend EkkiGreenheartOpepe and Oak for heavier civil/marine uses. For intermediary external use such as decking, where the timber needs to be both strong and durable but not on the same level as civil engineering (bridgespiling, etc) we usually supply CumaruIpe, Jatoba, and Balau. And for the lighter exterior use where the timber is non-structural such as cladding, we deliver CedarLarchThermowood and others.

Which timber is the most durable?

Durability Class 1 timbers are the most durable. This of course depends on the use (hazard) class they’ll be in service for. For direct ground and water contact such as sleepers, fenders, marine piling, etc, Ekki and Greenheart are known to be the most durable timbers available. For decking and cladding where there’s no direct ground contact (use class 3) there’s a much wider range of timbers such Larch, Cedar, Thermo modified Pine or Ash and others.

What’s the best timber for internal cladding?

Internal cladding, where your timber is not in ground and not exposed to the elements can be classed as either use-class 1 or 2 – in which case most timbers will meet this durability criteria. That is not to say they’ll be the best, since internal environments have lower humidity (moisture) levels than outside. So in these cases, it’s best to go for a kiln-dried timber cladding board as these are more stable and delivered already in lower MC (moisture content) than the usual fresh sawn timbers sent to external applications. A word of caution – as timber reacts to variations in moisture, it’s best to avoid cladding any areas inside your bathroom.

How can I make decking less slippery?

The first thing is to ensure your deck boards are kept clean from leaves and other debris which will, over time, cover the surface and make it more slippery. Grooved boards can be used to improve grip if installed and used perpendicular to traffic, so especially useful in narrow passages and footbridges. Lastly, you can add our Grip-Choice strips: these are a mix of epoxy with aggregates that add gripping ridges to your deck area. Gripchoice is an easy way to make decking less slippery and safer, especially over large areas or where there’s high traffic. We can pre-install Grip-Choice strips for your decking before delivery or ship the strips separately to add to your existing deck’s grooves as a retro-fit solution.

What wood machining services do you offer?

We can offer planing, sawing, drilling and profiling of rough-sawn wood to any profile you require: from handrails to large port fenders.

Can you supply pre-drilled timber?

Yes, we will be happy to provide pre-drilled timber which is tailored to your needs for quick installation, thus saving you valuable time on site.

What cladding profiles do you supply?

We provide a wide range of cladding profiles, including tongue and groove, featheredge and shiplap. You can check the standard profiles here – but we can also match or custom make profiles to suit your specific needs.

Does timber change colour?

Yes, timber is well-known for changing colour over time. Some species can darken quickly right after installation, and like most untreated wood will eventually weather to a beautiful silver-grey. Interior timber is less likely to change colour (depending on conditions), and timber can be stained, painted or treated with UV-resistant oils to reduce colour change.

Do I need to treat exterior timber?

Some timbers such as Oak and Ekki, can withstand the strains of exterior use without any treatment. However, to extend the lifespan and maintain the aesthetic of your wood, we do recommend treating your timber with stains and oils. Pre-treated timber, such as ThermoWood and OrganoWood, are low-maintenance options which are more durable, but can have their life service extended by applying a clean and stain maintenance schedule.

Do I need to treat interior timber?

Depends on what area the timber is being used. For floor joists and timber rafters, it is common to see timber treated, or least very well kiln-dried. Other uses such as flooring may benefit from varnishing while internal timber cladding for decorative purposes shouldn’t require any treatment other than if you want to change its colour with different types of stains or oils.

Where are you based?

We’re based in Cambridge, UK, and coordinate multiple sawmills all over the world to manufacture your order. We then organise delivery with a range of hauliers so that your orders gets to your site on time.

What are the usual decking sizes?

Timber decking is usually 21x140mm or similar. For heavier applications where there’s more load and traffic, we deliver 35 or 45mm thick boards (such as Hastings Pier). Narrower boards are also possible: 95-90mm is a standard width – but we can manufacture whatever size you require.

What are the usual cladding sizes?

Typical cladding section sizes are 18×95 and 18x145mm although we can always custom make a section to suit your project’s design requirements. That includes waney edge boards in Oak or Chestnut as well as extra wide 195mm boards.

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Good quality, great service, fast delivery!

5

Marinella Li

Always helpful! One of our valued TDCA DeckMark and CladMark accredited supplier members which means their quality procedures are routinely audited and stand up to scrutiny giving you extra peace of mind.

5

Janet Sycamore

Having needed the supply of cladding, decking boards and other specified timbers through out the year Eco choice have been very helpful in sourcing the specified timbers and quantities required at a very competitive price.

5

Tim Saunders

Great quality, service and price. A pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend Eco Choice.

5

Emma Hurrell

Fantastic company- Mike and the team are the best in the business- worked with them for many years.

5

Prem Raja

Always reliable and quality products, easy to deal with company.

5

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  • 9 years ago

Experts in Timber, Nationwide delivery

Joe Middleton

  • 9 years ago

Wonderful guys!

Nicola Edmead

  • 6 years ago

Great quality, service and price. A pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend Eco Choice.

Emma Hurrell

  • 9 years ago

Great service, quality products and very easy to deal with. Thank you.

Malcolm Coury

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