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  Neal Barker @ Etesia uk May 12, 2011 at 8:36pm

  i would have to say a big no to that, decking is still a very much loved part of a garden,

  i have just done my own in our new house and since people have seen it they now are planning on haveing decking done this year themself.

   

   
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  Colin Hunt May 12, 2011 at 8:51pm

  I think that decking in place of a patio has definately had its day, but what could be better than being asked to construct an elevated deck from the rear of a house where the garden slopes sharply away.

   

  However, 'Groundforce' had a lot to answer for with their 2day whole garden makeovers - I can remember many a quizical look when I would tell a client we would be looking at 3weeks and not 2 days to complete a job and as for the 6 x 2 frame they used to knock up, drop down onto the ground and 'nail-gun' the boards down all in 2 hours........try telling a customer you needed to excavate, lay concrete block supports, DPC,  bearers and then actually screw the boards down!!  Oops I'm off again!!
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  Craig McGibbon May 12, 2011 at 9:13pm

  Still getting requests for decking but patios definitely more popular.  Not sure about lawns making a return - most clients just grumble about their lawns...
• PRO

  Gary RK May 12, 2011 at 9:17pm

  I do like these articles - they more often than not have an ulterior motive (that's often not very well hidden)  ;-0))

   

  I guess at least it stimulates some debate or sales...

   

  Call it old age, call it cynicism but hey what the hell !!
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  Chris Auld May 12, 2011 at 9:25pm

  I still get plenty of work building decking but i would probably do 4 times as many patios though. I think decking is great as long as you maintain it, so many people just leave it untreated then after a few years it has turned all grey and covered in algae. Personally, i would rather have a decent patio.
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  Richard Boyd May 13, 2011 at 3:24am

  Phil you really need to start using smilies.

  Concerns over the lack of sparrows, hedgehogs and bumblebees in our gardens, which has been blamed on an increase in decking, have spurred many people into action.

  The figures were revealed in a study of 2,000 people commissioned by lawn care specialists GreenThumb.

   

  I couldn't get past the opening bollocks (see above). Hey GreenThumb if you need someone with brains to come up with something convincing, then dig deep and call me otherwise STFU.

   
• PRO

  Phil Voice May 13, 2011 at 6:06am

  :)
  
  Richard Boyd said:
  

  Phil you really need to start using smilies.

  Concerns over the lack of sparrows, hedgehogs and bumblebees in our gardens, which has been blamed on an increase in decking, have spurred many people into action.

  The figures were revealed in a study of 2,000 people commissioned by lawn care specialists GreenThumb.

   

  I couldn't get past the opening bollocks (see above). Hey GreenThumb if you need someone with brains to come up with something convincing, then dig deep and call me otherwise STFU.

   
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  Thomas James May 13, 2011 at 10:09am

  Decking still has a place and can look fantastic if it's installed correctly, is god quality and looked after. Basically any that doesn't take over the whole garden and/or become a bloody ice rink at the first sign of moisture!
• PRO

  Phil Voice May 15, 2011 at 8:55pm

  I agree with you Clive.

   

  I added this thread to stimulate a debate (and not because it was my view).

   

  I feel there will always be a place for decking but it's the disparate B&Q style softwood that's seen its (popular) day IMO.

   

  Clive Courtney said:

  Bog standard DIY decks using B&Q grooved pine decking ranks high up on my hate list. Wickes currently have an advert out showing what the DIY'er can do using their nasty grooved decking.
  
  A poorly built deck is nothing short of a nightmare. Often painted, it soon flakes and peels resembling a chocolate flake.
  
  These very decks do need to be ripped up and if anything a lawn would easily look better.
  
  But well built and designed decks are definitely here to stay. An excellent solution for sloping sites, quick and easy for the professionals to install. I love them and encourage clients to consider them on their merits.
  
  I could go on explaining the benefits..but I think that's for my website. ;-)
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  Matt - Allscape SW May 15, 2011 at 10:23pm

  I only fit composite decking now, if the client insisted on S/W then I would walk away - not that I have had to yet as once the features and benefits of a product like millboard are explained they have all come round so far :o)