Frequently Asked Questions

Does treated lumber vary in colour from one piece to another?

Freshly treated timber will have variations in colour between one piece and another. This is due to the relative proportions of heartwood and sapwood in each piece. Sapwood is more permeable than heartwood and so takes up more preservative which results in an initial variation of colour from green (sapwood) to beige (heartwood). Once installed and exposed to the elements, the initial strength of colour fades to a warm, honey brown and in the long term will become a natural silver grey all over Remember, timber is a natural product and variations in character are to be expected. Occasionally timber containing high or mobile resin levels can give a blue colouration at the time of treatment. However this fades rapidly into the overall natural green/beige colour.

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Do decks need planning permission and building permits?

Timber decks differ from conventional patios and terraces most significantly in their elevation and general height of construction.

For all but the simplest, low-level garden deck, property owners should satisfy themselves that planning regulations do not apply to their proposed structure.

In addition to contacting the Local Authority, we strongly recommend that you talk to all your neighbours about your plans. Neighbour objections are the most usual reason for planning refusal or enforcement notices after completion. Local Authorities can insist that structures are dismantled and removed where consent should have been obtained, but was not.

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