Deck - Alternatives to Deck wood

frustrated1

Appreciate some advice, looking to get a deck of some sort in on patio area and also to run around a conservatory, around to a small garage but of course there is no pot of gold..


Over all the rough area of patio and path is around 57 metres squared
Doesnt look that size until you get the measuring tape out

Initial look at prices of deck boards and could be close to 4k without even pricing joists, posts, rail for 2 side of it, posts etc... never mind labor costs if getting someone to do the work, way over our budget.

Had a look at timberireland and microshade decking which helps reduce the price somewhat but still reckon would be 2k for deck, posts, rails, spindles, before adding cost of joists / frame and again potentially labor on top.

Are there cheaper alternatives, is there different timber that could be used instead of decking specific timber ..

Any thoughts / opinions welcome..

Lumen

Cheap decking = 25/sqm
Nice decking = 50/sqm

As a rough guide, for just the boards, and excluding wastage.

The alternative is to not bother with a deck the size of a 2 bed apartment. :pac:

frustrated1

Lumen wrote: »

Cheap decking = 25/sqm
Nice decking = 50/sqm

As a rough guide, for just the boards, and excluding wastage.

The alternative is to not bother with a deck the size of a 2 bed apartment. :pac:

Thanks, already knew the cost of decking boards and also that it’s a large area (bigger than it looks, path curves around)

Just asking are their alternatives to decking timber to use that may suit a tighter budget to achieve similar outcome whilst acknowledging it’s obviously not decking wood

u2me

If you are not in a hurry to do it, you could key an eye on the auctions and something might come up there for materials
https://www.easyliveauction.com/auctions/?country=IE&currentPage=1
https://www.wilsonsauctions.com/

listermint

That's a big unnecessary sized deck have a real think about the size of area you want change the rest into planting or put loose stone on it..

Unless your running a pub you don't need that . It's costs to put in it costs to maintain and will cost to replace . Design for usability in mind.

:rolleyes:

No need for it OP.

Fine Cheers

Don't know what would be cheaper than treated softwood decking tbh. Only you know layout but is that all required ? Are you going over some existing paths? Don't underestimate wastage etc when pricing. Are scaffold boards a cheaper alternative ? Do also consider the annual maintenance etc and the odd board will rot regardless. I have a 5m x 5m timber deck and its down 18 years and holding up reasonably well with a couple of boards replaced.