Paving? Decking? Cost? Hellllp

[clio0602]

Right I'm all into this outdoor play thing now! I'm soo excited been pricing planters up for the kids getting in loads of natural resources and waterproof suits etc etc

Now I've decided I def need some sort of unboggy area and want to either deck or pave half the garden. Hopefully with Landlord approval

Can anyone advise me of what is best? I'm thinking decking would cause less grazed knees but will have a step down to the grass (I think)

Also I have no idea how much these things cost???

Anyone had this done or know anything about it pls xxx

[rickysmiths]

We had a large extention built this summer and had paving out around the back of the house, you just step out onto the paving from the French Doors, no step and just a small step out of the back door. It is about 10 feet out from the house across the back and along the side ant it cost £2000 plus £800 ( we bought the cheapest, big heavy stones that Wicks sell!) for the paving stones. This included laying the hardcore , laying the stones and building about 10' of 18" high retaining wall.

[angiemog]

I had decking done in the summer we step on to ours from the conservatory. Mine is completely enclosed so has a wooden railing and gate. I love it cos the children are safe and can't get in the garden unless I open the gate. It cost around £1600. It's the width of the house and goes out about 10ft. x

[Blackcat]

i paved my garden myselfd for £300

[clio0602]

i paved my garden myselfd for £300

Ooooo sounds a great price! Wouldn't know where to start though???

I'd just plonk the stones on top of the grass lol

[Blackcat]

Ooooo sounds a great price! Wouldn't know where to start though???

I'd just plonk the stones on top of the grass lol

dig the area out to the gravel, add plastic covering, add building sand and then concerete then paving
(i'm no diyer but my decking had rotted and was too expensive to replace. m
Got all stuff from B&Q propably didnt cost as much as £300 tbh

[suchagoodgirl]

I have decking and it was one of the worst decisions i ever made! The rear of my house is north facing and in winter it gets no direct sunlight whatsover, so never dries out and remains really slippy. Jet washing means that whatever decking stain you use strips off and leaves a patchy effect that looks awful.

Consequently our rear area is no go in winter, or when it has rained. I'm now desperatly saving up to have rubber tiles laid over it.

[honey]

i have got decking and i cannot use it all in the rain as it is just soooooo slippery. i cna use the patio no probs........ maintenance of the decing is time consuming too- i have to jet wash it twice a year esp after winter to get the green off....

[Pipsqueak]

hubs puts up fencing/decking/patios and blocks.

if you got any questions I can ask him

[little chickee]

I agree with decking being very slippery when wet, also with the pressure washing striping off the stain.

looks lovely when first done but give it one winter and it deteriorates and needs scrubbed down and re-stained every year to keep looking halfway decent.

i currently do not get the mindees out to play in the garden at all because the decking is unsafe and the grass is wet and muddy. Most of the kids do not come prepared for outdoor play so we go for walks in the woods instead.

[sweets]

im here to defend decking! lol.

mine is never slippy, my garden is south facing so that may make a difference.

i jet wash it prob once a year if that and yes it does take the stain off, but that wears anyway with people walking on it and needs refreshing prob every 2 years but it doesnt take me long.

[Louise0208]

we had decking & it lasted 6 months, sooo slippery it was an accident waiting to happen (actually a few did happen)

we now have a lazy lawn..... fake grass!, cost £200, its brilliant, dog & child proof & lasts 20 yrs

[Pipsqueak]

Decent decking doesn;t have to be slippery.

You use a good quality treated wood - You continue to treat it and providing you look after it then its ok.

[Hebs]

hubs puts up fencing/decking/patios and blocks.

if you got any questions I can ask him

And is very good! Need him to price up some decking for me when he does fence x

[gigglinggoblin]

We are going to get some of these

http://www.grassmat-direct.co.uk/

the grass still grows through them and they stop the mud, quite a few playgrounds round here have them and they are brill. I wanted fake grass til ds fell on some and grazed his leg really badly.

[clio0602]

we had decking & it lasted 6 months, sooo slippery it was an accident waiting to happen (actually a few did happen)

we now have a lazy lawn..... fake grass!, cost £200, its brilliant, dog & child proof & lasts 20 yrs

I'm loving that! Don't think I'd do the whole garden with it just the really soggy half! Hmmm might ask landlord.... looks like paving or pretend grass! Thanks for all the replies xx

Can I ask where you got grass from?? xx

[Pipsqueak]

And is very good! Need him to price up some decking for me when he does fence x

thank you Hebs - i have reminded him to ring you - but typical bloke......

[mrsoliver]

Decking provides a lovely home for rats! They love to tunnel underneath.

[rickysmiths]

We are going to get some of these

http://www.grassmat-direct.co.uk/

the grass still grows through them and they stop the mud, quite a few playgrounds round here have them and they are brill. I wanted fake grass til ds fell on some and grazed his leg really badly.

Think I would be afraid of what would happen if little one fell over on this and babbies crawling? Not the same as a lawn.

[clio0602]

We are going to get some of these

http://www.grassmat-direct.co.uk/

the grass still grows through them and they stop the mud, quite a few playgrounds round here have them and they are brill. I wanted fake grass til ds fell on some and grazed his leg really badly.

I did look into these but they are quite hard rubber and dd tripped over them at playground as it wasn't laid level IYSWIM