Create a wooden patio

Bask in the sunshine on a wooden rooftop terrace
© City Garden

Patios do not have to be made from stone. Andi Clevely, author of the book ‘Patios’, describes wood as a warm material and this seems to be a fitting alternative in the typically cool British summers. And if you’re more familiar with your deckchair than laying decking, helpful advice from ‘Patios’ will get you started:

Wooden decking

While not as durable as stone or brick, good–quality seasoned timber will last for many years with a little routine care. It is comparatively light and very attractive, blends sympathetically with its surroundings, and is easily fashioned into a range of shapes and structures.

Decking is bought as long, smooth or fluted planks of various widths or in pre–formed ‘tiles’ up to 1m (39in) square.

Hardwoods like oak, teak, karri and iroko are dense and heavy. Although expensive, they are naturally durable, with rich appealing colours that are easily preserved with annual treatment or can be left to weather to a soft silvery patina.

Opt for a wooden patio to bring warmth to a cool space
© Steven Wooster

Decay–resistant softwoods like western red cedar behave in the same way. Other softwoods such as pine and fir are light and easy to work, with a pale finish that is often enhanced by painting with a natural or coloured wood stain.

They can quickly deteriorate from wear and weathering unless pressure–treated with preservative, which will often extend their life from five to twenty–five years or more. Further regular rot–proofing is advisable.

Boards sold for decking can also be used for constructing fences and partitions, where they blend in easily by day or artificial light.

Some boards have a ridged or fluted finish to improve drainage and provide a safer all–weather surface under foot.

Buying decking

In many parts of the world timber cutting and consumption exceeds replanting, and indiscriminate felling of many kinds – especially some tropical hardwoods – is endangering long-term supplies.

Check that the timber you buy is labelled as originating from sustainably managed forests. Some preservative treatments use potentially toxic chemicals, but environmentally friendly alternatives are available.

Building decking

The surface boards are nailed or screwed to a framework of 15 by 5cm (6 by 2in) joists, set on edge about 38cm (15in) apart. These rest on concrete blocks on an existing hard surface or concrete foundation. Over soil the joists can be screwed or bolted to 10cm (4in) square posts, each set on a concrete block in a hole about 30cm (12in) deep and wide, which is then filled with concrete.

Build raised decks or terraces on similar upright posts locked into spiked post–holders driven into the ground. All timber should be pressure–treated with preservative.

Cobbles, gravel and larger rocks are natural materials that look effective as an artless detail within and around a main structure (left) as well as making a vital traditional landscape ingredient of Oriental designs.

Timber care

• Choose boards at least 5cm (2in) thick to combat warping from temperature and moisture changes.

• Leave 5–10mm (W–Vin) expansion spaces between boards to allow them to swell after rain.

• Slightly roughen boards with sand or a wire brush to forestall slipperiness in wet weather.

• Seal all timber with a water–repellent preservative every two to three years for long life.

This is an extract from 'Patios' by Andi Clevely.