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My sister rang me last month. She lives in Kings Heath, has done for years.
"Right," she said, no hello or anything. "I need your help. I've been staring at my garden for eight years doing nothing. I'm finally getting decking. But every time I look online, there's a million options and I haven't got a clue what's right for my house. Talk me through it."
So I went round with a cuppa and we stood looking at her patch of tired grass and wonky shed.
If you're in Birmingham thinking about decking, you're probably feeling exactly the same. Timber or composite? Raised or flat? Big enough for barbecues or just a quiet spot? What actually works in our weather?
Let's sort it out.
Why You're Even Reading This
You've got a garden that could be so much more.
Maybe it's just grass you never use because it's always muddy. Maybe it's a slope that makes putting a table out feel like you're on a ship. Maybe it's a tiny yard that could actually be lovely with the right deck.
Now you're trying to figure out which option makes sense for your money.
Problem is, everyone's got an opinion. Timber people say composite looks fake. Composite people say timber's a nightmare. And somewhere in the middle, you're just trying to work out what'll actually work in your garden, with your house, for what you can afford.
I've been there. I've made choices I regretted. I've also made choices that turned out brilliant. The trick is knowing the difference before you spend the money.
Why Decking Works in Birmingham
Let's be real about where we live.
Birmingham weather isn't Spain. We get rain. We get grey days. We get summers that sometimes feel like an extended autumn with slightly warmer rain.
Decking gives you something solid underfoot. No muddy patches. No slipping about on wet grass. You step out onto a proper surface that works in all weathers. That matters when you're trying to actually use your garden rather than just look at it from inside.
Plus, Birmingham gardens come in all shapes and sizes. Big suburban plots in Sutton Coldfield. Long narrow ones in Edgbaston. Tiny courtyard spaces in the Jewellery Quarter. Decking works for all of them because you can shape it to fit your space.
A decent decking installation Birmingham isn't about throwing down some boards and hoping. It's about creating a space you'll actually use.
The Main Options
Right. Let's break this down into the actual choices you'll need to make.
Treated Timber Decking – The One Everyone Knows
This is what most people picture. Softwood timber, pressure-treated so it doesn't rot, laid in straight boards.
The good bits:
Cheaper. Significantly cheaper than composite.
Looks natural. Ages nicely if you look after it.
You can stain it any colour you want.
Easy to fix—swap a board, not a whole section.
Every decent installer knows how to work with it.
The not-so-good bits:
Maintenance. Let's not pretend. Timber needs cleaning and treating every year. Miss a year and it goes grey. Miss two and it starts to go.
Can warp or splinter over time if neglected.
Not as durable in consistently wet conditions.
Who's this for?
People who like the natural look and don't mind a bit of annual upkeep. Homes with bigger gardens where composite would cost a fortune. Anyone who wants to stain their deck a specific colour.
Being honest:
If you go for timber, don't buy the cheapest boards. There's cheap, and there's false economy. Spend a bit more on better quality treated timber and your deck will last twice as long.
Composite Decking – The One You Never Think About
Composite is wood fibres and plastic pressed together into boards that look like wood but behave like plastic.
The good bits:
Almost no maintenance. Hose it down now and then. That's it.
Won't rot, warp, or splinter. Ever.
Colour goes all the way through—no fading patches.
Often comes with 20-year warranties.
Slip-resistant options available.
The not-so-good bits:
More expensive upfront. Sometimes a lot more.
Can get hot in direct sun—dark colours especially.
Harder to repair. Damage usually means replacing whole boards.
Some people think it looks too perfect, not natural enough.
Who's this for?
Busy people who don't want to spend weekends maintaining things. Families with young kids who want a safe, splinter-free surface. Anyone who's owned timber before and sworn never again.
Being honest:
Composite is the "fit and forget" option for decking installation Birmingham. You pay more now, you never pay again. If your budget stretches, it's worth thinking about.
Raised Decking – For Gardens on a Slope
Birmingham's got a lot of slopes. Moseley, Kings Heath, bits of Edgbaston—gardens that drop away from the house or rise up at the back.
Raised decking creates a level platform above the slope, giving you usable space that wouldn't otherwise exist.
The good bits:
Turns an awkward slope into proper garden space.
Creates storage underneath.
Looks impressive—proper architectural feature.
Great for views over the garden.
The not-so-good bits:
More expensive—needs proper foundations.
Needs really solid installation. Get it wrong and it's dangerous.
Can feel disconnected from the rest of the garden if not done right.
Who's this for?
Anyone with a sloping garden who's tired of fighting it. People who want a proper entertaining space with a view. Homes where the garden's been unusable because of the slope.
Ground-Level Decking – Simple and Does the Job
Most Birmingham gardens are fairly flat, especially in the suburbs. Ground-level decking is boards on a frame that sits just above the ground.
The good bits:
Cheaper and simpler than raised.
Blends with lawns and planting.
Easy to install, easy to change later.
Feels like part of the garden, not a separate structure.
The not-so-good bits:
Can be affected by ground moisture if installed badly.
Less dramatic—doesn't have the same visual impact.
Needs good drainage underneath.
Who's this for?
Most people with flat gardens. It's the standard for a reason. Simple, effective, does the job.
Wraparound Decking – For People Who Love to Entertain
If your house has doors opening from different rooms—kitchen, living room, maybe a dining room—wraparound decking connects them all. One continuous deck that wraps around the house.
The good bits:
Creates a seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
Massive entertaining space.
Looks incredible.
Adds serious value to your home.
The not-so-good bits:
Expensive. Bigger area, more materials, more labour.
Can overwhelm a small garden.
Needs careful planning to get the proportions right.
Who's this for?
People who love to entertain. Homes with multiple sets of doors opening onto the garden. Anyone who wants their outdoor space to feel like an extension of their indoor space.
Decking with a Pergola – For Our Weather
Because let's be honest, Birmingham weather means we can't always rely on sunshine. A pergola or canopy over part of your deck gives you shelter from rain and shade from the sun when it does appear.
The good bits:
Extends the usable time of your deck—you can sit out in light rain.
Creates an outdoor room feel.
Great for growing climbing plants.
Adds height and interest to flat gardens.
The not-so-good bits:
Extra cost on top of the decking.
Needs to be properly anchored.
Can make the garden feel smaller if not done right.
Who's this for?
People who want to use their garden more. Coffee drinkers who want to sit out in the morning whatever the weather. Anyone tired of getting caught in sudden showers.
What Works Where in Birmingham
Different parts of the city have different gardens. Here's what tends to work where.
Sutton Coldfield and Four Oaks: Big gardens, family homes. You've got space to play with. Mix of ground-level decking near the house for entertaining, maybe a separate raised area if your garden slopes. Timber works well here because the gardens are big enough that composite would cost a fortune.
Harborne and Edgbaston: Medium gardens, professional families. Composite is popular here—people have the budget and don't want maintenance eating their weekends. Raised decking works well for the slopes you often get in these areas.
Moseley and Kings Heath: Mixed bag. Some big gardens, some smaller. Character houses mean timber often looks more appropriate. If you've got a slope—and many do—raised decking transforms the space.
City centre and Jewellery Quarter: Small courtyards, balconies, tiny outdoor spaces. Composite or hardwood works best here. You want something that'll last in a small, often shaded space. Consider raised planters built into the deck to add greenery.
Solihull and surrounds: Similar to Sutton—big gardens, family homes. You've got room to do something special. Wraparound decking if your house allows it. Maybe a pergola for shade. Timber is popular, composite for those with the budget.
The Weather Thing Nobody Mentions
Let's be honest about Birmingham weather.
We get rain. We get damp. We get grey days. Any decking installation Birmingham needs to account for that.
Drainage is everything. Water needs somewhere to go. Under the deck, away from the house, not pooling anywhere. A good installer will build this in from the start.
Slip resistance matters. Wet decking can be dangerous. Look for boards with textured surfaces. Composite especially comes in slip-resistant grades.
Consider a canopy. Even a small one. It means you can sit out in light rain, which in Birmingham is about half the year.
Grey goes with everything. If you're choosing colours, grey is safe. It looks good in our light, doesn't show dirt too badly, and matches most house colours.
What This Actually Costs
I know you want numbers. Everyone does. So here's rough figures, understanding that prices vary.
Timber decking: For a typical 20 square metre deck, you're probably looking at £2000-£3500 all in. Materials and installation.
Composite decking: Same size deck, £3000-£5000. More upfront, but no maintenance costs later.
Raised decking: Add 30-50% to those figures. The structure underneath costs money.
Wraparound or complex shapes: More again. Complex cuts, more waste, more labour.
These are rough. Get proper quotes for your actual garden.
The Stuff That Catches People Out
A few things that people don't think about.
Ground preparation. If your garden isn't level, if there's old paving to remove, if the ground is soft—that costs extra. Sometimes a lot extra.
Planning permission. Most decking under 30cm high doesn't need it. Higher than that, or if your garden's in a conservation area, check first.
Rails and balustrades. If your deck is raised more than about 30cm, you need rails. Safety first. But rails cost money.
Gates and access. If you're decking right up to the house, you might need to adjust doors or add steps.
Furniture and finishing. The deck is just the start. You'll want furniture, plants, maybe lighting. Factor that in.
Why Who You Hire Matters
I need to be straight with you about something.
Decking looks simple. It's just boards on a frame, right?
Wrong.
A proper decking installation Birmingham needs:
Proper foundations. The frame needs to be level, stable, well-supported.
Correct drainage. Water needs to flow away, not pool.
Good joinery. Joints need to be tight, boards need consistent spacing.
Appropriate fixings. Screws that won't rust, brackets that won't fail.
Experience with your specific ground conditions.
I've seen too many DIY decks that looked fine for a year and then started sinking, wobbling, rotting. I've seen decks installed by "cheap" trades that weren't level, weren't square, weren't safe.
A good installer costs more. But they also save you from paying twice.
How to Find Someone You Can Trust
If you're going to hire someone, here's what matters.
Ask for examples. Photos of previous work. Not just one perfect job—several. Different sizes, different styles.
Check they understand drainage. Ask them how they'll handle water. If they look confused, walk away.
Get specifics on materials. What timber? What treatment? What composite brand? What warranty?
Get multiple quotes. Three is a good number. Too many and you'll go mad, but three gives you a feel for what's reasonable.
Talk about timescales. When will they start? When will they finish? What happens if it rains?
Ask about guarantees. Not just on materials—on their work. A proper installer stands behind what they build.
FAQs
How long does decking last?
Treated timber, 10-15 years with maintenance. Composite, 20-25 years plus. Installation quality affects both.
Can I put decking on uneven ground?
Yes, but it costs more. Raised decking can level out almost any slope.
Do I need planning permission?
Generally no for decking under 30cm high. Check if you're in a conservation area or listed building.
What's better: timber or composite?
Timber for natural look and lower upfront cost. Composite for zero maintenance and longevity. Both are good—it's about your priorities.
How do I maintain timber decking?
Clean it annually. Re-treat or stain every 1-2 years. Keep leaves off it. Watch for rot near the house.
Can I install decking myself?
If you're genuinely handy and your garden is simple, yes. If there's any complexity—slopes, drainage issues, large areas—hire someone.
How much should decking cost?
£100-£250 per square metre installed, depending on materials and complexity. Get quotes.
Will decking add value to my home?
Yes, if it's well done. A good deck extends your usable space. Buyers notice.
A Simple Way to Decide
Right. Let's cut through all the chat and give you something you can actually use.
Choose timber if:
You love the natural look
You don't mind annual maintenance
You've got a bigger garden where composite would cost too much
You want to stain it a specific colour
Choose composite if:
You never want to maintain it
You've got the budget for better materials
You've had timber before and hated the upkeep
You want something that'll last 20 years without fuss
Choose raised decking if:
Your garden slopes
You want to create usable space from an awkward area
You're happy to pay more for the structure
Choose ground-level if:
Your garden's flat
You want something simple that does the job
You're on a tighter budget
Choose a pergola if:
You want to use the space in all weather
You like the idea of an outdoor room
You're tired of getting caught in the rain
One Last Thing
My sister in Kings Heath with the garden that's been doing nothing for eight years?
She went for timber in the end. Ground-level, stained a warm grey, big enough for a table and chairs and a bit of room for her pots. Cost her about three grand. Took a week.
I was round there last weekend. She was sitting out with a coffee, looking at the garden like she finally owned it.
"Best money I've spent," she said. "Use it every single day."
That's what you're buying. Not boards and screws. A space you actually use.
So go on. Look at your garden. Imagine what it could be.
Then find someone who can make it happen.
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