Bespoke garden decking across North Devon
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Turn uneven ground, unused corners, or tired patios into a practical, level outdoor room with decking built specifically for North Devon gardens.
Few features change how a garden is used quite like a deck. Where a lawn struggles on damp, shaded or sloping ground, a raised timber platform opens up dead space and gives you a clean, solid surface for furniture, barbecues, or simply sitting out on a summer evening. Across Barnstaple and the surrounding Devon hills and valleys, that's exactly the problem many homeowners face, and a properly built deck is often the most sensible answer.
What sets our decks apart is what sits underneath them. Before a single board goes down, we construct a treated-timber subframe sized to the span and load of the deck, set on posts or paving slabs with proper drainage and airflow beneath. This is the part you never see, but it's the difference between a deck that stays flat and solid for fifteen years and one that starts to bounce, sag, or rot after three.
We work with softwood, hardwood, and composite boards, and we'll give you an honest recommendation based on where the deck sits, how much sun and weather it catches, and how much maintenance you actually want to take on. Every project is quoted in full before work starts, with no vague estimates or surprise additions.
A deck is only as good as what's underneath it. Here's the process we follow on every Barnstaple and North Devon installation
We come out to your property, take accurate levels across the area, and check what's underneath: soil type, drainage, existing manholes, and anything else that affects the build. You'll get honest advice on whether a deck is the right solution and how high it needs to sit.
You receive a written, fixed-price quote detailing the subframe timber size and spacing, board material and profile, fixings, and any extras such as steps, balustrades, or trim. No moving goalposts once work begins. The price you see is the price you pay.
We lay out and level the treated subframe first, properly supported, with airflow underneath, then fix the boards down with hidden or colour-matched screws, cut in edges and steps, and finish with a light sand and treatment where needed. The site is left clean and ready to use.
Joist size, span, and support post spacing are calculated to the actual load, not guessed. A deck that feels solid underfoot and stays that way is built on a subframe engineered for the job, not offcuts laid on the soil.
Timber left sitting in standing water rots. It's that simple. We grade the ground beneath, allow for drainage, and keep the subframe clear so air can circulate. It's unglamorous work, but it's what stops a deck failing prematurely in Devon's wet winters.
We use coated or stainless screws that won't bleed rust stains into the timber, a common shortcut on cheap deck builds. Boards are double-screwed at every joist so they don't cup, lift, or squeak underfoot after a few seasons.
Softwood is the right call for most Barnstaple gardens. Properly treated, it lasts decades and costs less. We'll tell you if composite or hardwood genuinely suits your situation better, rather than upselling you on something you don't need.
Three main options, each with its own trade-offs. We'll talk you through what suits your garden, your budget, and how much upkeep you're happy to take on
Scandinavian redwood is the workhorse of British decking: affordable, easy to work with, and readily available in a range of board profiles. Treated to Use Class 4 for ground contact, it gives 15+ years of service when properly maintained. Needs a coat of preservative or stain every couple of years to keep it looking its best.
Dense tropical timbers like balau, iroko, and teak are naturally resistant to rot, insects, and moisture, with no chemical treatment needed. They cost more upfront but age beautifully into a silver-grey patina and can outlast softwood by decades. The premium choice for exposed coastal spots around Ilfracombe and Woolacombe.
A blend of wood fibres and recycled plastic, composite boards don't rot, splinter, or need staining, ever. They're the lowest-maintenance option and come in a wide range of colours and grain effects. Worth the higher initial outlay if you want a deck you can use year-round without ever picking up a paintbrush.
Not sure which material suits your garden? We'll bring samples and talk you through the options on site.
Book a Free Material ConsultationStraight answers to the things Barnstaple homeowners most often want to know before going ahead
Pricing is worked out per square metre and depends on the board material, how high the deck needs to sit off the ground, and what's involved in preparing the site. As a rough guide, a straightforward ground-level softwood deck starts around £120-£180 per square metre fitted. Hardwood and composite decks come in higher because the materials themselves cost more. Features like steps, balustrades, integrated lighting, or removable access hatches for manholes are priced separately on the quote. We give you a fixed written price after the site visit so there are no surprises.
In most cases, no. Domestic decking falls under permitted development as long as three rules are met. The deck must not sit more than 30 centimetres above ground level at any point, it must not cover more than half of the total garden area around the house, and it must not be placed on land in front of the principal elevation (usually the front of the property). If your home is listed or in a designated conservation area, different rules apply and you should check with North Devon Council first. We can talk you through this during the site visit.
If longevity with minimal upkeep is the priority, composite boards are hard to beat. They carry warranties of 10-25 years and won't rot or splinter regardless of salt air or damp. Among timbers, the dense hardwoods like balau and iroko naturally shrug off moisture and insects and can last 25-40 years. Pressure-treated softwood is the most popular choice locally because it's affordable and, with a fresh coat of preservative every two to three years, will comfortably give you 15 years or more. The right choice depends on your budget and how much maintenance you're willing to do.
A typical domestic deck takes between two and five working days from start to finish. A small ground-level patio deck can go down in a day or two once the ground is prepared. Larger or raised decks, particularly those on sloping ground that need significant levelling, multi-level steps, or balustrades, can run to a week or more. Weather can play a part too, since we won't lay boards in heavy rain. We'll give you a realistic timeframe at the quoting stage and keep you posted as the build progresses.
Yes. Because we also install fencing and pergolas, we're well placed to tie a new deck into what's already in your garden. We can match timber species and finishes, continue balustrade styles across the deck edge, or build a deck that sits neatly beneath an existing pergola. If you're planning several garden features, it's worth doing them together so the materials, levels, and detailing all line up, and it usually works out cheaper than staging them separately.
Still have questions? Give us a call or send a message and we'll talk it through.
Providing expert decking installation services throughout Barnstaple and surrounding areas in North Devon
Not sure if I cover your area? Contact me today to discuss your decking installation needs in North Devon.
Get Your Free Quote TodayGive us a call or drop a message and we'll come out to your Barnstaple property, take levels, talk through your options, and put together a fixed written quote, with no pressure or obligation.
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2-5 Working Days
A deck is one of those jobs where the difference between a good one and a bad one doesn't show up for a few years. The boards might look fine on day one, but if the subframe is undersized, the ground underneath hasn't been prepared, or cheap fixings have been used, you'll be replacing the lot far sooner than you should need to. That's the problem we're here to solve.
We build decks the way we'd build them for ourselves, with a properly sized treated-timber subframe, adequate support, drainage allowed for, and stainless or coated fixings that won't bleed rust into the wood. Whether it's a small step-out deck outside a Barnstaple bungalow, a raised platform taming a sloping garden in Bideford, or a large entertaining space overlooking the coast in Ilfracombe, the same principles apply.
Because we install fencing and pergolas alongside decking, we can take on the whole garden if that's what you need: one set of materials, one team on site, and everything tied together properly. It's a more joined-up approach than bringing in three different contractors who've never met each other.
Get in touch to arrange a free site visit. We'll have a proper look at the space, talk through what's realistic, and send you a written quote so you can make an informed decision in your own time.
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