Hardwood and composite
A good deck depends on the frame you never see. We set ours on concrete footings with treated joists at the right spacing, then fix the boards with hidden clips wherever the board allows it.
Rich hardwoods such as balau, or composite boards that never need staining.
Treated joists on concrete pads, with a weed membrane laid underneath.
Clip systems keep screw heads off the surface for a clean finish.
Deck lights, steps and edging trims fitted as part of the same build.
Composite boards are made from wood fibre and recycled plastic. They do not splinter or rot, they need no oiling, and they follow gentle curves like the deck in this photo. Hardwood such as balau has a warmer, richer look and fades to a silver grey if you leave it untreated.
We bring samples of both to the design visit and price them side by side, so you can weigh the look against the upkeep.
The best spot for a deck is often not straight off the back door. We look at where the evening sun falls, what you can see from the house and how you walk round the garden. Sometimes that means a deck at the far end of the lawn, linked by stepping stones.
We set the height so the deck sits flush with lawns and paths wherever we can, which means fewer steps and nothing to trip over.
Gallery
Why Fosse & Fen
Three promises we make to every customer, written into every quote.
The price we give you after the 3D design is the price you pay. If we find something underground that nobody could have seen, we stop, show you, and agree any change before we carry on.
We protect your drive and lawn, keep materials stacked in one place and sweep up before we leave each evening.
Our founder visits every site during the build as well as at the quote. If something needs deciding, you are talking to the person who can decide it.
How it works
1
Free
We visit, measure the garden and talk through how you want to use it. We check levels, drainage and access while we are there.
2
No obligation
We draw the garden in 3D and walk you round it. Once you are happy with the design, you get a fixed, itemised quote.
3
Tidy site
Our team builds it from dig-out to planting. You get a start date, a weekly plan and a tidy site every evening.
4
10 years
We walk round the finished garden with you, show you how to look after it and hand over your 10-year workmanship guarantee.
Reviews
They dug out the whole back garden and had the patio, lawn and lighting finished in four weeks. The 3D drawing meant there were no surprises. It looks exactly like the drawing.
SK
Sarah K.
Nettleham
Owen came out three times during the build to check on things. The lads were polite, started on time every morning and swept the drive every night.
DR
David and Helen R.
Heighington
Our resin driveway went down in a day once the base was in. Fixed price, no extras, and the guarantee in writing.
MT
Mark T.
Washingborough
FAQs
If your question is not here, call us on 01632 960418.
A well-built composite deck should last 25 years or more. Hardwood lasts 20 years or more if you clean and oil it now and then. Both depend on the frame underneath, which is why we build ours on concrete footings with treated joists.
Good capped composite has a textured grain that grips well in the wet. Any outdoor surface can get slippery if moss builds up in deep shade, so we show you how to keep it clean.
Usually not, as long as the deck is no more than 30 cm off the ground and, together with any extensions and outbuildings, covers no more than half the garden. Raised decks are different, and we will tell you at the design visit if yours needs an application.
Yes. We build the frame around the pond and let the boards overhang the edge slightly, which hides the liner and gives a clean line at the water.
It depends on the size, the board and how much framing the levels need. Composite costs more to buy than most timber but saves on upkeep. You get a fixed price after the design visit, with both options priced if you are undecided.
More from Fosse & Fen
Tell us about your garden and we will book your free design visit.
01632 960418