Decking · Yateley, Hampshire
Decking in Yateley - hardwood and composite, set on proper frames.
Hardwood, composite and softwood decking across GU46, built on galvanised or treated frames with hidden fixings where the spec deserves it.
Workshop in GU15 - close to Yateley
Same team on site every day
10+ years across Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire
Typical book-in is four to six weeks; build one to three weeks on site.
What we mean by decking
The bit beneath the surface.
Decking lives or dies on the sub-frame. Most failed decks didn't fail on the surface - they failed on joist spacings, bearer support and ventilation that were quietly cut to save a day.
Sub-frames built to spec
Joists at the right centres for the board, bearers supported off independent posts where the ground demands it, full ventilation beneath every panel.
Material chosen for use
Hardwood for warmth and grain, composite for low maintenance and stability - each with trade-offs we'll explain rather than gloss over.
Detailed properly
Hidden fixings where the deck will be looked at; recessed LED runs laid in at sub-frame stage; integrated planters and step nosings finished cleanly.
Why this works in Yateley
Locally tuned, not location-swapped.
Yateley decks tend to solve a level problem - a sloping back garden off Vigo Lane, a step-down from a raised kitchen extension, or a plot that runs awkwardly down towards the Blackwater meadows. The decking is the answer to a level, not just a surface choice.
On the lower GU46 plots we always raise the frame off the ground properly, with full air-flow underneath. A deck sitting flat on damp Blackwater silt is a five-year deck pretending to be a fifteen-year one. Where the ground is sand and roots, we use ground screws or pad foundations rather than fighting concrete in.
- Blackwater-side wet ground - Plots low off Vigo Lane or backing onto the meadows hold water through winter. Patios get lifted falls, sub-bases get an extra 50mm of Type 1, and drainage is sized properly rather than relying on the ground to soak it away.
- Bagshot sand around the Common - Free-draining ground is friendly to patio sub-bases but unfriendly to lawns and most planting unless the topsoil is improved. We import compost and condition before we turf or plant.
- Mature oaks, pines & leaf load - Common-side gardens carry serious leaf litter and substantial root zones. We design garden rooms and terraces around root protection zones and detail gutters and drains for autumn loading.
- Builder's compaction on newer estates - Darby Green, Frogmore and Potley Hill plots almost all share the same story - thin topsoil over compacted hardcore. We lift the top, cultivate or import soil and rebuild sub-bases properly.
Recent decking
A few from in and around Yateley.
Hand-picked from recent projects across Hampshire. Same approach, different gardens.
Darby Green Lane · GU17
Two-tier hardwood deck linking kitchen to lawn.
A Darby Green family had a 900mm drop from a new kitchen extension to a tired lawn. Two tiers in balau on hidden fixings, an integrated step-light run, and a lower platform sized for a fire pit and four loungers. The frame sits on adjustable pedestals so airflow runs the full footprint.
More decking →How we build it
The detail, in plain numbers.
Joists
C24 treated, 400mm centres or tighter per board
Ventilation
150mm clearance, perimeter airflow detailed
Fixings
Stainless or galvanised; hidden where visible
Lighting
12V recessed LED on optional sub-circuit
BudgetMost decks sit between £5,000 and £18,000 depending on size, material and complexity.
TimingTypical book-in is four to six weeks; build one to three weeks on site.
Common questions
What Yateley clients usually ask about decking.
Hardwood, composite or softwood for a Yateley garden?+
Depends on the brief. Hardwood (balau, iroko) for the highest-end finish and longest life. Composite where the family wants zero maintenance and is happy with a more uniform look. Treated softwood where budget matters and the deck can be re-oiled annually. We'll quote on whichever suits the plot honestly, not whichever has the highest margin.
Do you handle balustrades, steps and integrated planters?+
Yes. All built into the same sub-frame, finished in matching timber or composite. We prefer to design the whole platform as one piece rather than bolting extras on later.
Hardwood or composite - what do you usually recommend?+
Depends on use. Hardwood (iroko, balau) is warmer, more characterful and rewards a bit of seasonal oiling. Composite is virtually maintenance-free and dimensionally stable but gets warmer in direct sun. We'll talk through both against the aspect and your appetite for upkeep.
Will composite get hot in summer?+
More than hardwood - particularly darker colours in full sun. We advise on board colour and the deck's aspect during design to minimise it.
Other work in Yateley
Same team, different parts of the garden.
Nearby
Decking in nearby areas.
Yateley · Hampshire
Start a conversation about your Yateley garden.
A short WhatsApp with a photo or two is the easiest way to start. Same-day reply, often within the hour.