Huubie Build

Marley CitiDeck® timber decking is the perfect accompaniment to the whimsical treehouse designs and imaginative play structures made by Huubie Build.

Huubie Build specialises in imaginative play and natural fun, creating whimsical and unique treehouses and play structures – and they use Marley CitiDeck® to ensure safety and inclusivity.

CitiDeck® timber decking used for imaginative play

With a focus on imaginative play and natural fun, Huubie Build has gained a reputation for creating unique play areas and treehouses for residential, commercial, and educational settings. The structures are works of art with a spirit of playfulness and deliberate “wonkiness” that give a sense of fairy-tale magic. But they’re also carefully designed for safety – and to help ensure the safety of the children and adults who use these structures, CitiDeck® anti-slip timber decking is the flooring of choice.

“The look of pure joy on faces when they are carried away in fun activities is something that ignites my passion,” explains Paul Prentice, founder of Huubie Build. He started the company with an aim to get kids and their grown-ups more active and engaged in the outdoors. He wants to change attitudes about active play and its proven values, creating inclusivity so that everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of imaginative outdoor play.

Anti-slip decking: safety first

Safety is essential, and Huubie Build’s play structures are designed to help ensure the wellbeing of those who use them. Surfacing is a big part of this, and various materials are used – from rubber to timber – depending on the situation.

For example, a soft landing under a climbing frame typically calls for rubber safety surfacing. Meanwhile, decking, platforms, ramps and stairs all require slip-resistant textures and a beautiful timber finish that blends in with the rest of the wooden structure – and for this, Paul uses Marley’s CitiDeck® timber decking.

CitiDeck® is a non-slip timber deck board with a smooth profile and two-non-slip inserts of white-coloured aggregate. It has been independently tested and achieved average pendulum test values (PTVs) of 61 when wet and 73 when dry. These results are significantly higher than the minimum PTV of 36 required for a decking product to be called non-slip.

Safety is also essential for creating inclusive play environments that all children can use. Huubie Build has experience in designing and building for SEND applications. Their timber play structures are perfect for creating fun, stimulating experiences for those with special or additional needs, and the CitiDeck® anti-slip decking provides an extra sense of security.

Paul explains further “After feeling the safety underfoot, customers have all said that CitiDeck® was the right choice,” he says. “It also means fewer risk assessment worries for teachers”, he adds.

And children notice the difference too: “Even kids feel the safety underfoot,” he explains, even when it’s wet, and this encourages them to run, jump and play more freely.

Natural and sustainable

The style of a Huubie Build treehouse is one of natural whimsy combined with expert craftsmanship. The use of natural timber is a big part of this, and the finished structures blend in with their surroundings in an organic way. Some intentionally topsy-turvy details give the treehouses unique character.

“I’ve been told I ‘do wonky well’,” Paul laughs, explaining that he works with many beautiful timber products – first cuts of cedar with the bark still visible, black locust, Robinia and acacia – to achieve his design aspirations.

He says that CitiDeck® timber decking fits in with his architectural vision perfectly: “It reminds me of old millboard and blends in well with the products we build.”

Sustainability is also a key consideration. “It’s more than just a word to us; it’s a true belief in what we’re doing,” Paul says. The company has won several awards for sustainable practices. They use sustainable sources wherever possible and use PEFC and FSC-certified timber.

Reducing waste is also a priority, and they have even designed Block Bots – charming wood and rope robot toys made from leftover cuttings – to make the most of the materials they use.

Marley’s CitiDeck® anti-slip decking is manufactured from European redwood, which is sourced from sustainable and ethical suppliers. Marley is certified to both FSC and PEFC chain of custody schemes; we are also a member of the Timber Trade Federation, and all timber meets both CPET and EUTR directives.