Decking
[edit] Introduction
Decking is a term that can be applied to numerous applications in construction.
One of its more common forms is the platform areas (sometimes raised) in domestic gardens that are used for special functions such as relaxation, for sun loungers or barbecues. These will usually comprise a timber substructure with decking boards laid on top. The decking boards can either be timber (usually pressure-treated) or be made of composite or synthetic materials.
Timber decking boards usually require a degree of maintenance involving painting, preserving or sealing to provide protection and durability. Composites and synthetics typically require no preservative treatment. Some of the composite decking available is made from recycled wood and plastic and although lacking the natural wood appearance, can be cheaper and easier to maintain.
Timber and composite decking can either be laid as strip (typically 120mm wide) or as tiles that measure around 300 x 300mm.
[edit] Other applications
The term decking (or deck) can also apply to:
- The boarding used to support the finishing layer on floors and flat roofs.
- The horizontal (supporting) formwork that is used when casting insitu concrete slabs.
- The prefabricated concrete planks used to form ground, upper floors and flat roofs.
- The boarding (usually plywood) that is nailed to timber rafters to crate the support for the roof finish, be that tiles, slates or metal sheet (e.g zinc, copper, lead).
- The finished surface of boardwalks.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Aluminium decking.
- Ash or oak wood flooring.
- Floor definition.
- Floor insulation.
- Flooring defects.
- Glass block flooring.
- How to fit carpet.
- Insulation for ground floors.
- Predicting service life of timber structures.
- Raised floor.
- Resin flooring.
- Screed.
- Terrazzo.
- The Differences Between Engineered Flooring and Solid Hardwood Flooring.
- Types of floor.
Featured articles and news
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.