"composite decking"

This 115m² project was a large luxury new-build. The decking required two distinct build-up methods around the house. One section was on a waterproofing membrane, the other on a steel framed walkway. Adjustable support pedestals were loose-laid onto the membrane. iDecking aluminium rail system was set onto the pedestals and EasyClick boards were clicked into place. Pedestals lifted the decking structure off the membrane allowing free drainage and creating a level surface on the falling roof. Aluminium rails were mechanically fixed to the steel structure and the whole terrace was set to one, seamless level wrapping around the house.

The Royal Zoological Society of ScotlandGripsure has teamed up with wildlife conservation charity, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, to help create an incredible home for Scotland’s only sloths. Moana and Feira have settled in well at Edinburgh Zoo and have been busy exploring their new surroundings (albeit very slowly). They are set to become a visitor favourite and have already begun to draw in the crowds.Gripsure donated 60 square metres of sustainable anti-slip Bamboo decking. It has been used to create visitor walkways through the recently refurbished enclosure. The space is full of greenery and designed to feel just like home for two-year-old male Moana, nicknamed Mo, and one-year-old female Feira, known as Fe.A special partnershipThis unique project - the result of a special Corporate Sponsorship Partnership between Gripsure and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland - also features Gripsure Graphics. This innovative new non-slip decking has been used to create fun, educational messaging around the enclosure.Staff said Gripsure decking had helped to establish the perfect environment for the new arrivals – and their fans. “The decking featured in the main walkway flows incredibly well with the exhibit, allowing our visitors to walk right through and become immersed in the natural look and feel of the space, which is wonderful,” said Beccy Angus, Head of Discovery and Learning at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.Beccy added: “Being able to add our own artwork was a huge positive for our charity. The ability to personalise the decking meant we could completely tailor it to the enclosure, making it one-of-a-kind and offer more opportunities to engage our visitors with educational interpretation and signage.”A new home for Scotland’s only slothsThe zoo’s two-toed sloths have joined large hairy armadillos Nymeria and Diogo in the Sloths and Armadillos building, which tells the story of wildlife in South America. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has been supporting conservation partners in South America, the sloth’s native home, for more than a decade.Conservation and sustainability are at the heart of this new area, which made Gripsure a natural partner. Beccy said the team was delighted with the results. “Gripsure’s generous donation has helped our charity create and deliver a first-class visitor experience within our new sloth building,” she said. “As a wildlife conservation charity, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Bamboo was selected as a sustainable material both in the immediate production and in the future as it can be recycled.”Bamboo: a sustainable futureThe bamboo poles used to manufacture the Bamboo decking, which is used at Edinburgh Zoo, are harvested after just five years. This makes them the fastest growing timber in the world.Tom Anderson of Gripsure said: “Edinburgh Zoo were seeking a long lasting sustainable timber but were keen to avoid using tropical hardwoods as logging is destroying the sloth’s natural environment in South America. We recommended Moso bamboo, the giant grass species which can grow up to 80cm per day in the growing season. This species also stores huge amounts of carbon in its vast root network in the forests.”Gripsure manufactures the boards using a heat treatment, which protects the timber from decay and insect attack and gives the boards an expected service life of at least 35 years.Moso bamboo has a class one durability rating, a Euroclass B fire rating, extremely stable with virtually no movement. A study from Delft University shows that, even taking into account the transport and manufacturing process, the product is a net carbon sink over its life span.Connecting people with wildlifeThe sloths are said to be settling in well after arriving at the zoo from Europe. Moana came from Aquazoo Friesland in the Netherlands and Feira arrived from Wilhelma in Germany.Expert staff at Edinburgh Zoo are keeping viewing hours limited for the first few weeks to allow the pair adapt to their new surroundings, complete with plenty of trees and ropes to explore at their own pace. Beccy said: “We hope that by welcoming this well-loved species we can help visitors foster a deeper connection with nature and inspire future conservationists to better protect wildlife across the globe.”

TG Escapes designed and built an early years eco-building for their client Colston’s Lower School in Bristol. The building was tailored to the school’s needs, providing a separate learning space to house all the early years' students in one building. When designing any environment for young children, safety is a priority. That is why TG Escapes chose non-slip decking to surround the new school building. Gripsure met TG Escapes' rigorous non-slip requirements on this project with brown-treated Gripsure Classic, featuring three anti-slip strips. This is the first project regular Gripsure customer TG Escapes has completed in a brown-treated decking. They chose this finish to complement the Western Red Cedar cladding used on the eco-building. It is also the first project for which TG Escapes has used three-strip non-slip decking to further reduce the risk of slips and falls. A representative for TG Escapes explained “In early years buildings some of the children are of nursery age. Their feet may be so small that they would fit in between the space of two anti-slip infills, and be offered no coverage at all. Having three anti-slips eliminated this risk.” With a PTV value of 100, Classic allows access all year round offering peace of mind.

Bath Spa Station is a Grade II* listed building built in 1840 by Isambard Kingdom Brunel with huge historical significance. It serves as Bath’s mainline station connecting to Bristol and London and services 3 million passengers each year. The existing timber station canopies on platforms 1, 2 and the station entrance were badly in need of repair due to extensive weathering and rotting.Dura customer MLG were appointed to replace the canopies and chose us to 3D laser scan the station so that we could create an exact replica of the heritage design that is such an iconic feature of the station.Once the scan had been completed, we were able to create a sample section for client approval made from our ultra-low maintenance Dura Daggerboard in a matching cream colour. Made from durable composite material with a Class B fire rating, our daggerboard was the ideal replacement for the badly worn timber which had started to present a hazard to station users.The feedback was great, and we were commissioned to begin full scale production using our CNC technology. As the Dura Daggerboards mimic the appearance of the traditional wooden valance boards but are lighter, simpler to install and require virtually no maintenance, they provide a much better lifecycle value than timber daggers. The client feedback on the installation by MLG and the daggerboards themselves has been spectacular, and the Bath Spa design has been added to our extensive daggerboard library.

The VELFAC composite system has been installed in two award-winning student halls built for the University of St Andrews. Designed by HLM Architects, Powell and Whitehorn Halls provide comfortable and stylish accommodation for over 380 undergraduates and postgraduates, with VELFAC windows providing excellent thermal insulation and maximum natural light. VELFAC units are also integral to innovative architectural façade features, including dramatic glazed screens and angled window pods.

Prepping decking with PrepdeckAfter cleaning their decking with bleach and removing any loose or flaking bits from the surface, our customer then used our professional stripper, Prepdeck to remove the old stain from their decking.Our customer applied Prepdeck in small areas that he could complete in 15-30 minutes, then, after leaving it to do its magic, used a stiff nylon brush to ‘lift’ the stain from the wood, ensuring that they worked in the direction of the grain.They then thoroughly rinsed the product off the decking using a garden hose – again, working in the direction of the grain.If you want to make this part of the job a little easier, you could opt for hot water instead.This is a great product, as it can also be diluted to make a powerful cleaner for weathered woods and can even be used on thermo (burnt) wood.Next neutralise with Net-trolThe customer then used our wood cleaner Net-trol to neutralise the surface of the decking, in preparation for the finish.After applying Net-Trol to the wet decking, they scrubbed the surface with a brush.They then left it to stand for around 15 minutes, keeping an eye on it to ensure that the surface of the decking didn’t dry.If it had begun to dry, he would have had to dampen it with a mist of water.They then scrubbed the decking again, this time whilst rinsing it.Now, it was just a matter of leaving the wood to dry for 48 hours before applying the finish.Choose a finish to protect your deckingThis customer opted for Aquadecks, our water-based penetrating finish. One of the great things about this product is that not only does it protect the wood from warping, splitting, cracking and UV damage, it is also easy to apply and maintain, as our highly penetrative formula guarantees there will be no peeling or flaking.Plus, it dries quickly and has a low odour, so you can be back on your decking with a glass of wine in hand, in no time at all.Our customer applied an initial coat of Aquadecks and allowed it to penetrate into the wood. Then, after around 15-20 minutes (when the ‘wet look’ of the first application had disappeared), they applied a second application and allowed this to penetrate.After a further 15 minutes, they brushed out any puddles so that the decking wouldn’t dry with shiny spots on the surface. Aquadeck’s place is in the wood, not on top of it!“Very pleased with all products purchased.”This customer was so delighted with our products, they got in touch to tell us how well everything had gone.“On advice gratefully received from Ken I had several stages to complete. It’s looking great and I am hopeful the results will last”, he continued.For more information on Aquadecks, please click here.

The Cambridge University Faculty of History required a solution to level the existing flat roofs of the historical Stirling Building. The aim was to create a vibrant and attractive area, mainly used as a throughway, it was paramount that the tiles would match the existing colour of the surrounding building.Our Castlepave GRC Promenade slab (450x450x38mm) was selected, and a custom-made colour was created to blend effectively into the existing architecture. We manufactured various test batches each with a different shade of red, and hand finished aged effect. Once the colour was selected from the various test batches, they were manufactured by hand to the customers specification and delivered to site.We assessed the fall and height tolerances of the roof to determine the number and size of pedestals required to provide a completely level finish. Adjustable Pedestals ranging from 30-120mm,10mm fixed height stackable pedestals, levelling shims, and self-levelling heads were used.The outer row of slabs was cut to size on site, using a circular saw. As shown the results are a flush finish that minimizes the gaps between the slabs and the exterior perimeter. The glass reinforced concrete composition of the slabs mean they are strong and easy to work with on site.The Client was very happy with this stylish and unique finish.

We have recently received a lovely case study from a customer that used Polytrol to revive their black composite front door. As you can see, Lisa’s door had become dull from pollution, rain and UV rays. She wanted to bring it back to its original shine and also try to mask some of the scratches.We recommended that she use our colour restorer, Polytrol.

D1 Decking Solutions recently completed the remediation of Kensington Aldridge Academy’s terrace deck and balustrades, using the AliDeck Senior Ridged Board and AliRail Plate Fix systems. The transformation has created a fire-safe and futureproof environment.

A contractor client was working on a retro-fit balcony and flat roof project in Brighton. The waterproofing membrane had tapered insulation placed on top and the contractor discovered ballasting the insulation was needed, only once on the roof. The door thresholds were too tight for a traditional decking system with joists. Wallbarn advised for paving slabs on 9mm rubber pads; then 30mm thick ipe timber tiles mounted onto Adjustable Pedestals. The buildup was under 100mm and the overall finish of the tropical hardwood was glorious. The architect was relieved that we could produce a solution, the client was delighted.

High-rise riverside apartment building refurbishmentLocated on the banks of the River Thames, Ocean Wharf is a high-rise apartment building that can be subject to salt-water spray during high tide and windy days. Timber decking had previously been fitted on the balconies and had started to deteriorate, as well as being identified as a fire risk by the Fire Risk Assessor.A high-quality decking system was required to replace the existing balcony decking. The chosen solution needed to have a premium look and feel in line with the luxury standard of the development. Luxura, being A1 fire-rated and resistant to salt which could have affected other types of decking, was the ideal choice for this project.As the installer hadn’t installed non-combustible decking before, they required some on-site support from our team who were able to provide a toolbox talk and check ongoing progress. This resulted in a fantastic end result with the installation completed to a very high standard.“The material was completely new to us, so we were a bit hesitant at first. However, now that we have experienced it, we wouldn’t want to use anything else.” - Installer, Ocean Wharf

The customer wanted to build a deck on the first storey of a period building in Chicago The windows opening out on to the roof were positioned considerably higher than the rooftop itself, which meant that the structure deployed to support the deck would also need to raise it up almost a metre to meet the threshold. We recommended a number of our heavy-duty Megapads ranging from 711mm to 876mm to account for the gradual fall in the roof. The customer chose not to envelope the pedestals because he liked the industrial look created, in keeping with downtown Chicago.

This was a large roof terrace on a private domestic project. The area was flooded and had needed to be re-laid with waterproofing and a significant fall constructed into the deck to allow the often considerable amounts of rainwater to escape the roof deck. The contractor asked Wallbarn for a suitable but cost effective solution so we recommended Wallbarn 9mm rubber supports along with levelling shims. The area was re-waterproofed in the inverted waterproofing method, the membrane being covered with rigid insulation boards and a loose laid geotextile fabric to act as a separation layer .

Colindale Gardens is a unique mixed-use development in the heart of north west London. Commissioned by Redrow, the full development will bring over 2,900 new homes along with cafes, restaurants and retail facilities to the local community.Project BreakdownDesigned in a collaboration between Broadway Malyan, Fielden Clegg Bradley Studios and Fourpoint Architects, the extensive 19.17 hectare project will encompass a range of residential spaces, from studios to 4 bedroom homes. Each new development will overlook over 9 acres of landscape gardens.Close to Fryent Country Park with 250 acres of rolling fields and woods, the development has been designed with an emphasis on creating a community for relaxation, sports and play. To further enjoy indoor/outdoor living, all new release apartments and duplexes offer a tranquil private balcony and/or outdoor terrace space. The full development is due to be complete 2021.The SolutionEnviroBuild provided just under 400 m² of Hyperion Pioneer Walnut and Oak decking for the residential terraces. The minimal water absorption rate of Hyperion decking made it the perfect material to frame large outdoor planters in the centre of the residential hub.Working closely with sub-contractor Horohoe, the terrace decking was installed on a sub-frame of Manticore plastic Lumber and MESA Support adjustable decking pedestals.Project DetailsSize: 400 m²Product: Oak Hyperion Decking, Walnut Hyperion DeckingSubstructure: Manticore Plastic Lumber & MESA Support Adjustable PedestalsClient: RedrowArchitect: Broadway Malyan, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studio & Fourpoint ArchitectsContractor: RedrowSub-Contractor HorohoeLocation: London

89 Branston Street, located within Birmingham’s City Centre, recently underwent a significant refurbishment. At the forefront of this transformation were AliDeck’s aluminium products, providing cost-effective, compliant, and futureproof solutions.The use of AliDeck Lite Board and A-Fence Aluminium Fencing & Gates across the decking area ensured that the project aligned with the latest in safety and design standards, offering residents a blend of style and sustainability.

Surf’s up and Gripsure decking is down at The Camp at The Wave in Bristol!Our Classic non-slip boards have been installed at the first inland surfing destination of its kind in the UK. People of all ages and abilities come here to experience the thrill of riding a wave – or at least having a go. There are different lessons and sessions to suit beginners and experts, as well as a range of activities for children.Just metres from the most consistent surf break in the country, The Camp provides overnight accommodation where guests are perfectly placed for dawn patrols or sunset sessions. The 25 luxury safari tents aim to celebrate the simple things in life, offering a place to escape, chillout, connect, sleep and reset.Gripsure recently provided 9,165 linear meters of our Classic boards to be used for boardwalks around the campsite, as well as porch areas outside each tent. It was the second installment of Gripsure decking at The Wave. Previously, our Classic boards were used to create a pier, boardwalks and a viewing terrace at the popular destination, which attracts hundreds of visitors each year."It was a pleasure to work with Gripsure, they did a fantastic job over The Camp. The whole team were unbelieavably helpful - whether it was back office staff or the tea, that did the installation. Would use their services again in a heartbeart" - Jac Griffiths, Customer Experience ManagerThe Wave’s glamping style tents on its campsite sleep eight people and are kitted out with comfortable beds, a kitchenette, private toilet and a large balcony, where guests can relax after a long day of surfing. There are also two fully wheelchair accessible tents.The team at The Wave wanted to use Gripsure decking for this latest project because we share their strong commitment to sustainability. In recent years, Gripsure has taken great steps towards environmental sustainability, from working with sustainable FSC and PEFC-certified timber to reducing waste. We have just taken this a step further by signing up to a commitment of becoming a net zero carbon business."The nature of The Wave is watersports with kids around and people walking through the campsite in wetsuits. We didn't want people slipping over! Everybody has to be safe around the campsite and we're really pleased with how the latest installment of decking is working out. There have been no issues with anything. It looks really good and is completely fit for purpose." - Sam Jones, Accommodation Supervisor.The Wave also has sustainability built into its ethos. Environmentally, the business is continually striving to be resourceful, finding ways to minimise environmental impact.

ASP pedestals were chosen by the waterproofing contractor to suspend paving slabs on residential balconies above an inverted waterproofing system on a luxury development. Decks were laid to falls in many different directions creating different heights and angles. Paving needed to be flat across the falling deck and slabs needed to ballast the insulation. Telescopic stems easily adjust the height whilst the slab is in place, making installation fast and easy. Positioning lugs create uniform paving lines automatically. Heavy load tolerances and durability over time and large temperature ranges, up to Minus 40° C, gives Wallbarn ASPs the edge competitors.

Bury St Edmunds is so iconic that Shakespeare himself used the infamous Cathedral for two scenes in Henry VI. The train station itself, dating back to 1847, was equally steeped in history, which is why when it came to replacing the rotting timber canopy, nothing but an exact Victorian replica design would do.This historical landmark was in need of an upgrade, so HA Marks came to us. Using our Dagger boards, our expert fabrication team were able to exactly replicate the design. The design they went with, Florence, is now available as standard as part of the Dura Composites Daggerboard library.Several years on, after this project was featured on the front cover of the Railway Heritage Trusts Annual report and nominated for multiple heritage awards, the canopy remains to this day as good as the day it was first installed.Since then, we have expanded our range and now have over 30 designs as standard and you can now select our new additional heritage colours, like Light Beige and Flint. Our ability to create bespoke designs has only increased too. Our new 3D laser scanning service, working in tandem with our state-of-the-art CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) Machine technology, is able to exactly replicate the design whilst vastly reducing the time needed on site and overall project costs.Class B fire-rated, our Dura Daggerboards are better than ever, they are lightweight, non-conductive, efficient to install in comparison to traditional methods, and require virtually no maintenance over their 60 year design life. The project at Bury St Edmunds was a great project to be involved with and we have learnt a lot since then. We have developed our daggerboard product range to make them look even more authentic. We’ve invested in new tools like laser scanning, so that we can restore like for like designs and in some cases even restoring the original heritage look of century old canopies.The legacy of this project and many more since is testament to our commitment to innovation. We are very proud of being able to provide modern materials with all the fire safety standards, low maintenance features to today’s standards, without compromising the character of the past.

Another one of our lovely customers recently sent in some pictures of them having used Owatrol products to restore their hardwood decking.As you can see, their efforts paid off and his garden deck looks as good as new!Here’s what he had to say about it:We have recently renovated our hardwood decking with Prepdeck, Net-trol and Textrol. The decking was laid three years ago and treated with a decking stain (not Owatrol!) but it started to turn grey very quickly.These pictures were taken over the course of a few days. The process was simple to follow and we’re very pleased with the results.Products usedPrepdeckPrepdeck is a water-based, high-grade stripper/cleaner specially designed for the removal of old, solid and semi-transparent stains, unsightly grade stamps and other types of finishes from wood.It is a three-in-one product: Its main purpose, when used undiluted, is an effective way to prepare wooden surfaces for further treatment.When used diluted, Prepdeck can reduce the mill glaze on new wood to prepare the surface to accept a saturating finish.Net-TrolNet-Trol is a powerful wood cleaner and brightener which restores greyed and weathered wood back to its natural colour. It easily removes surface and ground-in dirt to leave the wood looking fresh and new again. All without damaging the wood’s fibres.Net-Trol is fast-acting and can restore the colour of your wood in as little as 15 minutes. All without sanding!It is also is biodegradable and does not contain solvents or bleach, making it safe to use in multiple environments.TextrolTextrol is a highly saturating oil for exterior soft and hardwood. It works by saturating the wood to protect it from within, meaning there’s no film on the surface and so it will not peel or flake.Textrol is available in 7 shades, including clear, and enhances the natural beauty of the wood whilst providing a mildew-resistant finish.This offers exceptional and long-lasting protection from the effects of moisture, weathering and UV rays.Thank you so much for sending us over these pictures of your renovated hardwood decking, Paul!

The Wave is a world class inland surfing lake set in the Gloucestershire countryside on the outskirts of Bristol. The Wavegarden Cove technology is capable of producing one thousand waves per hour, creating perfect surf for professionals and beginners alike. We worked closely with APG Architecture to find just the right decking for this exciting project. After visiting a number of sites where our boards are performing well in a similar environment, the design team specified Gripsure Classic. These boards feature three non-slip inserts giving an initial PTV of 100 which is the highest rated product in the range. The design team wanted to ensure the safety of surfers as they transitioned from dry and wet zones on the site. An APG Architect commented "Our biggest concern was safety and Gripsure managed to solve that". The Wave's mission is to get people back outdoors, enjoying physical activity and connecting with nature. Sustainability is at the heart of the project, with materials chosen for aesthetic beauty and low impact on the natural environment. Gripsure uses sustainable Scandinavian Vth grade European Redwood timber, carrying FSC or PEFC third party accreditation. Gripsure non-slip decking were installed on the central pier, giving guests the opportunity to watch the surfers in the lake. The clubhouse also features a first-floor terrace, with panoramic views of the site, making it an ideal spot to enjoy refreshments. Gripsure Classic was also used for boardwalks and seating areas in the nature reserve by the lake. Gripsure supplied a variety of sub-contractors on the site, making a number of deliveries throughout the build. They provided cutting advice, recommended spans and supplied lengths to minimise wastage. The team at Gripsure visited the site shortly after it opened in November 2019 for their team day and were delighted to see the finished project (and have a go, of course!)

Delta were employed to assist on this leaking podium deck project. Following a full assessment of The Hub and its underground parking facilities it was identified that rainwater was entering the basement car park through the ceiling deck at multiple points. These points included holes that were formed to allow drainage from the surface, movement joints and investigation holes that had been created through the steel rib and concrete deck. Based on “as built plans” a system was designed post construction that would offer the same quality of structural protection had it been incorporated during the build phase.

Wallbarn worked with a specialist tile installer, working on a new-build in Carmarthenshire. Initially 600mm deep concrete screed was used for a base, but the weight bent the lintels. The concrete had to be broken out and the whole deck repaired. The installation was challenging with falls over 250mm across the deck. ‘Balance’ self-levelling adjustable pedestals provided the answer. Using bespoke pedestal planning software, MegaPro, the Wallbarn service team was able to work out the exact quantity and height of pedestals required for the scheme, colour-coded on the drawing, guiding installers on where to place each pedestal.

The Challenge: Overcoming Complex Decking Remediation at Gemini ParkReplacing non-compliant decking on existing structures often presents significant challenges, and the Gemini Park project was no exception. The complexity of the project stemmed from several key factors:Original Design Limitations:The steel frames of the balconies were originally designed to accommodate timber joists, offering flexibility but severely limiting the options for alternative, more compliant materials.Span and Cantilever Requirements:The new decking needed to span large distances and overhang building edges, a requirement that added to the structural demands.Structural Inconsistencies:There were variations in balcony build-ups and discrepancies between the original plans and the actual construction, which further complicated the installation process.Faced with these challenges, the client sought a reliable aluminium decking solution that could meet these stringent requirements while restoring the residents’ peace of mind.The Solution: A Tailored Aluminium Decking SystemTo address the complex challenges presented by the Gemini Park project, the Ryno team developed a customized solution using components from the BalcaSmart Aluminium Decking System. This tailored approach was designed to navigate the project’s specific obstacles effectively.DFB150-DR Aluminium Decking Board:The centre piece of the solution was the innovative DFB150-DR Aluminium Decking Board. This board offers a 1500mm span capacity and integrated drainage within a compact 40mm profile. By allowing perpendicular installation, it significantly reduced the material and labour requirements, making the solution both cost-effective and efficient.T Aluminium Support Rail:The T25 Aluminium Support Rail was selected to replace the existing timber batons. Its design enables quick and secure attachment to steel frames, providing a robust and reliable alternative to timber that meets the necessary compliance standards.DS Aluminium Joist System:To recreate the flexibility of the original timber framing and achieve precise height alignment with door thresholds, the DS Aluminium Joist was used in combination with ADC Joist Support Cleats and JH Joist Hangers. This system offered the necessary adaptability to address the structural inconsistencies and ensure a seamless integration with the existing balcony structures.Achieving Success Through Tailored SolutionsThis tailored approach, informed by RYNO’s extensive experience in decking remediation, successfully transformed the balconies at Gemini Park. The use of the BalcaSmart® Aluminium Decking System not only met the project’s challenging span and cantilever requirements but also overcame the structural inconsistencies with precision.The result was a safe, compliant, and aesthetically pleasing decking solution that restored the residents’ peace of mind and ensured long-term satisfaction. The success of the Gemini Park project highlights the importance of customized solutions in overcoming complex construction challenges and achieving high-quality outcomes in remediation projects.A word from Gemini Park Freehold Ltd“We selected RYNO simply for the solidity of the build. RYNO could provide us exactly what we wanted with the solidity we wanted. This was a really easy process. The supply chain from manufacture through to fitting was a pleasure to have to deal with because there was nothing to have to deal with! Couldn’t have asked for a nicer company to work with.”Alex Highman, Director of Gemini Park Freehold Ltd

Sadly, it’s all too common to see what was once a beautiful wooden decking, transform into a cold, dark and grey decking due to an inferior product being used to finish it.This customer’s decking was finished with a low quality oil which lasted only 3 months before turning their beautiful new deck into a sorry state of affairs.Luckily, our good friend Roger at R&A Pressure Washing Services (visit his website via the link at the bottom of this post) knew exactly what to do to restore this balau decking back to its former glory.So how exactly did Roger get this beautiful finished result?Striping the previous coatingBefore Roger could apply any finishing products, he first had to remove the previous coating that caused the damage in the first place.To do this, he used Prepdeck, our wood stripper specially designed for the removing of old solid and semi transparent stains from wood.Due to the balau decking being a tight grooved deck, he had to be sure to scrub the decking thoroughly. This is to be sure no previous coating would be left behind in between the grooves. A very important step when using Owatrol products as they need to penetrate into the surface. Products that sit on the surface of the wood will not give you long lasting results.Neutralising and brightening the woodAfter the wood has been thoroughly stripped and the previous coatings are a thing of the past, the wood then needs to be neutralised.To do this, Roger used Net-Trol, our powerful wood cleaner and brightener. This restores greyed and weathered wood to its natural colour without damaging the wood’s fibres.Net-Trol is fast acting and can restore the original colour of your wood surface in as little as 15 minutes.Applying the finish to the deckingFinally, Roger applied the customers chosen finish, Textrol.Textrol is available in 7 shades and the customer opted for Clear so they could fully appreciate the beautiful natural colour of the Balau wood. Roger applied 2 coats to get the desired finish.Textrol enhances the natural beauty of the wood whilst providing a mildew-resistant finish. It offers exceptional and long-lasting protection from the effects of moisture, weathering and UV rays.We think you’ll agree that the finished result is absolutely beautiful!Using inferior products may seem like the most cost effective way to finish your decking, but unfortunately, these types of products simply do not last and will cost you more in the long run to get the wood to the way you want it.Owatrol offers high quality, long lasting coatings which offer exceptional protection and a superior finish.Find out more about Prepdeck, Net-Trol and Textrol by using the following links:PrepdeckNet-TrolTextrol

"When we started to plan our farm diversification project, a luxury, boutique, Glamping destination in North Yorkshire branded The Private Hill, it was imperative that every aspect of our guest experience would support our 5 star gold aspirations for the property. With some of the most newsy geodesic dome structures, luxuriously furnished with fully en-suite facilities, sitting on an exposed hillside whilst taking full advantage of our unique views we knew we had to ensure the safety of all guests when walking around the site. Gripsure offered a non-slip decking solution that was some way ahead of competitor product and having reviewed samples it wasn’t a difficult decision. We ordered a significant quantity of pre-cut non-slip boarding from Gripsure which, whilst a little more expensive than other suppliers, allowed us to be certain that we were exceeding all UK Health & Safety requirements. Not only did the property achieve 5 star status on completion, when officially inspected by Quality in Tourism, but it was also awarded their coveted Gold standard and, equally, a very rare Unique Accommodation Accolade on account of the high standards we’d set for The Private Hill Experience. Many guests have, since opening, commented on the excellent non-slip properties of the Gripsure decking product we use across the whole site and it has proved itself time and time again over the icy winter months. We absolutely wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Gripsure to any others considering similar diversification into the luxury Glamping sector" - Roddy Hamilton, Owner and Founder of The Private Hill.

This client had an untreated deck that had degraded due to UV exposure and needed it restored and finished. this was achieved by using Net-trol Wood Cleaner & Colour Restorer followed by D1 Pro Saturating Oil.Cleaning and preparing an IPE Deck for FinishingBefore using Net-Trol you need to ensure that your surface is cleared of debris – a good sweep should suffice.The surface then needs to be made wet and Net-Trol should then be scrubbed into the surface. We recommend using a stiff brush, then leave it to stand for approximately 20 minutes.Then it should be rinsed whilst scrubbing ,again with a stiff brush. Try to use the highest pressure water source you can (a pressure washer is ideal but a hose will suffice).Your surface then needs to be left for at least 48 hours to dry completely before applying your finish.Why use Owatrol’s D1 Pro?In this case, the client has chosen to finish their IPE deck with Owatrol’s D1 Pro, a product from our Professional Range which is a saturating wood oil for hardwoods giving a long-lasting natural finish and advanced UV protection.This product is well-suited for use in heavy-traffic areas such as decking and areas exposed to harsh weather. This is because it has a long-lasting finish that will protect in the years to come with minimal maintenance.It’s also perfect for dense, oily or greasy woods which are difficult to impregnate with saturating products. D1 Pro delivers excellent wood penetration and can protect even these more difficult woods from within.As such it was perfect for this project as it is made from IPE Decking which is an extremely hard wood decking (approximately 3 times harder than oak!).Many high street products would not have been able to provide adequate saturation in a wood as hard as this and therefore would not provide the long-lasting protection offered by D1 Pro.Finishing a deck with D1 ProOwatrol’s D1 Pro is a saturating wood oil protection. This means that its place is inside the wood not on top of it.To apply a saturating oil you need to apply ‘wet on wet’ coats. This means that the surface cannot be allowed to dry in between coats. If this was to happen then the D1 Pro that had been absorbed so far would start working and prevent any further moisture from penetrating the wood!This sounds a little scary but it really isn’t.The key is to work on small sections at a time (an area which can be completed in around 15 minutes). You need to apply the first coat and allow it to be absorbed for around 15-20 minutes but do not allow it to become surface dry.You then continue to apply coats until no more oil can be absorbed and the wood is saturated. At this point be sure to brush away any excess D1 Pro sitting on the surface to prevent shiny patches.Be sure to work along the length of your decking boards and always work an entire board at once. Never stop mid-board to prevent uneven coverage.Once this is completed you will have a deck protected for the long-haul with minimal maintenance required.Regular washing with Net-Trol is optional but will help to maintain the look of your deck. The look of the deck will gradually lighten over time; when it returns to a grey colour it is time for a maintenance coat. You apply it in exactly the same way but usually only 1-2 coats is necessary.You can also apply a maintenance coat in just a small localised area if that’s all that is necessary. No sanding or stripping required!The finished resultsAs you can see the results are stunning! The client can be safe in the knowledge that their deck is protected for years to come from damage caused by UV rays and moisture.On top of this, they know that they will need to do minimal maintenance. If the deck begins to look worn in high traffic areas, they’re able to carry out touch-ups easily.

A 2,600m² high rise rooftop is transformed into a functional and attractive communal space with decking supported by Ryno RPF fixed-head adjustable decking pedestals.

Specifiers looking to introduce superior wood protection to decking projects can rely on Sadolin Classic to deliver a beautiful finish, with long-lasting defence against the elements. Offering a trusted and time proven solution, Sadolin Classic’s high performance formulation enables the product to absorb deep into the timber, ensuring exceptional coverage and maximum protection from the weather. One of the most versatile products in the Sadolin range, it is particularly effective on large areas of timber such as decking, cladding, fascias and rough sawn timber. A range of colours are also available.

The AliDeck team enjoyed another site visit up in the Big Smoke today as we travelled into London to take a look at an ongoing project that is using AliDeck aluminium decking.

Postmark is a new residential development on the site of the former Royal Mail Mount Pleasant Mail Centre. In addition to being involved with the paved roof terraces within the new Pheonix Place development, Ryno worked directly with Broadway Malyan Architects to come up with a decking solution for the private balconies.System UsedTerraSmart® Aluminium was used across each of the balconies, with RD-FR adjustable decking pedestals and joist supporting over 2000m2 of sleek aluminium deck boards. Concrete slabs were laid between the substructure and deck boards to help counter wind uplift by increasing the overall dead load of the system.Testimonial “Approaching Ryno was a really easy thing to do…I felt confident using them.”– Gareth Rowe, Principal Landscape Architect, Broadway Malyan Want to hear more? View Gareth’s full video testimonial here.

Around 16,000 fixed-head adjustable decking pedestals were used to support Thermowood decking on the many balconies at London Square's newest residential development in North London.

Taw Wharf is a new waterfront destination placing contemporary design and modern amenities alongside the historic listed buildings of the medieval Long Bridge. The full development will encompass a range of apartments, penthouses and townhouses adding up to a 172 newly designed homes. Hyperion Composite Fencing was selected for this project. Project BreakdownLed by local housing experts North Devon Homes and Pearce Homes, the 30-acre site will have close references to the character and materials of the site’s maritime history and its riverside wharf location to create a vibrant community.Located in the premier town of North Devon, the project is close to both the country and the coast. To enhance its natural beauty and rural living, all new release townhouses will offer an outdoor area. The development is nearing completion with the first viewings taking place beginning of August 2019.The SolutionEnviroBuild provided 3,118 m² of Hyperion Pioneer stone fencing for the townhouses’ front gardens and parking spaces. The non-rot, low maintenance panels made it the perfect material to fence the residential homes. The contemporary design also made the development blend in perfectly with the area’s historic charm.Working closely with the contractor Pearce Construction, the fencing was installed using granite fence posts included in the purchasing price.Project DetailsSize: 3118 m²Product: Stone Hyperion Pioneer FencingClient: Pearce ConstructionArchitect: Woodward SmithContractor: North Devon Homes & Pearce HomesSub-contractor: Pearce ConstructionLocation: Barnstaple, North Devon

AliDeck is delighted to announce that we will be supplying our cutting-edge balcony decking solutions, including AliDeck System 2, which features our Junior Flat Board, Low Joist and Adjustable Pedestal Brackets, to the Copperhouse Green regeneration project in Dartford, Kent.We will be partnering with Balguard Engineering, who specialise in the installation of architectural metalwork for balconies, as we provide an extensive range of aluminium balcony decking solutions to ensure the project is cost-effective and futureproof for many decades to come.

We visited one of our approved installers to check out the refurbishment process underway at The Kingsbury Building project on Horsell Road in Islington, London. Alu-Installations installed our complete non-combustible balcony solution, using AliClad Flow aluminium soffit cladding and AliDeck Junior Ridged aluminium decking boards.

We keep on being asked about how to lay our Lewis Deck system and the previous installation video wasn’t ideal when it came to showing how simple this was. So, in conjunction with the manufacturer of the deck we’ve had a series of new videos produced.

We supplied Bear Wood in Bristol with over 17,000 ln/m of Gripsure Classic for their immersive boardwalk. This elevates visitors above the forest floor, putting them right in the heart of the forest. It gives panoramic views of the woodland and the unique species that live there. Bear Wood, set in 7.5 acres of ancient woodland, tells the story of British woodlands, taking visitors on a fascinating journey starting 10,000 years ago to the present day. The exhibition has re-introduced native species, which once roamed our woodlands. These include European brown bears, European grey wolves, Eurasian lynxes, and wolverines. Gripsure took a brief from the zoo and developed a specification to achieve: Longevity in a wet and damp woodland environment by providing boards treated to Sector Scheme 4 treatment classification (30 years) Certified FSC timber, ensuring materials are from sustainable sources and blend in with the natural woodland A low slip risk for the anticipated high volumes of visitors. This was achieved by using three non-slip inserts which have been tried and tested at other attractions Pushchair- and wheelchair-friendly surfaces achieved through a smooth profile to avoid discomfort. This is also easy to maintain. Non-slip decking boards cross-cut to the width of the boardwalk to minimise waste and speed up installation. Gripsure's Classic deck boards were supplied across a number of scheduled deliveries to Elmtree Garden Contractors. This meant they could keep to their construction programme and limit the amount of storage space required on site. "The great thing about using Gripsure boards, and Gripsure as a company, was that you can communicate with them and they delivered on time every time" - Director, Elm Tree Garden Contractors. As well as the large and impressive boardwalk, Gripsure Graphics were also supplied where custom-made infographic boards created bespoke time-hop sections. The imitation of roots around 'Steve the Tree' help tells the story of the UK's woodlands and the species and habitats within them. "It was all here on time, it looks really good and we were really pleased with the service that we got" - Exhibit Development Manager, Wild Place Project.