"outdoor decking"

Neaco’s Techdek aluminium decking has been specified for an innovative internal cycle park at the XYZ building, a cutting edge workspace in Manchester designed by Cartwright Pickard. Robert Phillips, Associate at Cartwright Pickard, said: “We specified Techdek for the cycle ramp due its robust construction and the simplicity of its design – the modular nature of its construction, its excellent drainage capabilities and the ribbed profile for surety under foot. Its track record of being used on similar, high profile projects gave us the confidence that the product was suitable for the application.”

Gripsure non-slip decking made from Accoya® wood was specified for the Rising Path Project at Cambridge University’s Botanic Garden. The Rising Path is one of the gardens’ biggest horticulture projects. It revitalises the three-acre Systematic Beds, which were first laid out in 1845. The striking structure offers visitors new ways to explore plant taxonomy. The 65-metre-long spiral structure was designed by Chadwick Dryer Clarke as a gently sloping path stemming off from the gardens’ existing path network. The path leads visitors to a viewing platform with a three-metre vantage point from which the full layout of the Systematic Beds can be enjoyed. The structural frame is formed from galvanized steel with the majority of the structure built from Accoya® wood, which was selected for its durability, stability and clean aesthetic. To ensure safe access all year round the walkway and stairs needed to be slip-resistant. We supplied over 1,300 hundred linear metres of Gripsure non-slip decking made from Accoya® wood, backed with our ten-year non-slip performance guarantee. Along the pathway are sections of landing points that highlight some of the plants’ significant evolutionary innovations, which allowed them to leave the water for life on land. At these points, Gripsure Graphics non-slip deck boards were supplied to create custom typographics. The boards needed to provide a visual contrast to the main decking as well as displaying information for visitors. Project architects Chadwick Dryer Clarke and Designmap (whose design was inspired by the work of the artist Gordon Young) developed the graphic design of the boards. A representative from Chadwick Dryer Clarke said “Gripsure’s approach was positive and collaborative, with a real interest in supporting the design team and project. A number of prototypes were developed that refined the depth, size and edge clarity of lettering, and the successful result has a crispness and quality that exceeds the design aspirations.” The Rising Path is a well-crafted and elegant structure which enhances the experience of the Systematic Beds which are of global heritage significance. It has had very positive feedback from visitors since its opening.

Initial project meetings first started in early 2008, the clients owned a small cottage on the site which had been extended several times during the 80’s and had permission to make further adaptations. The mixture of building standards meant that their home was extremely drafty and very energy inefficient. The site itself is particularly exposed. The design which achieved planning permission was a crescent form which steps and slides into the slopes on the site. The crescent formation is in direct response to solar orientation.The brief was to design a building which would accommodate the family for many years into the future, the planned occupancy would be for 5 adults. Additionally, the home will be used for large family occasions. A requirement was set for a minimum 16 seated spaces to be available for dining during these family occasions.Op-Deck was added into the scheme very early into the design process as the way of creating the highly insulated structural floor as the house was being designed under Passivhaus standards. The overall U-value of the property is 0.1w/m2K as standard. The system was installed on the lower and ground floors and also the roof.

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.

An unconventional idea from a Constructing Architect and former Officer becomes unique design furniture under the Danish designer brand WUM. The furniture collection Urban Outdoor is based on very traditional PcP gratings, usually used, i.e. industrial and construction sectors, where very high strength is needed.About WUMWUM is a Danish designer brand and, in fact, short for "WoodUmix". In 2018, the journey started for Marius Øvrum and Peter Wallbohm Olsen - the partners behind the design company - with the explicit goal of designing and producing lamps and furniture in Denmark. WUM's designs must stand out from the market, and the focus of the concept is to offer products that are both designed, developed and produced in Denmark and could still be provided at competitive prices. WUM has taken the first step with garden furniture sets made in classic and Danish PcP mesh gratings.With Danish production and development, this means that WUM will achieve a sustainable mindset..." It fits our moral compass, and we like the mentality of trying to create sustainable and responsible products", explains Peter Wallbohm Olson, co-owner of WUM.Project criteriaWUM's approach to design projects involves close collaboration with all partners. For example, for the development of garden furniture, the idea of using mesh gratings was already in place. WUM, together with PcP, has developed the requirements for the design project based on the knowledge and experience of PcP. Both in terms of designing a beautiful and durable product as well as keeping costs down."That's very much how we think and work. So how can we create an exciting, new and different design product that we can offer at an attractive price for customers? Here, refining and processing classic industrial components is an obvious option", says Peter Wallbohm Olsen.There was a significant focus on product design; how could you transform a traditional mesh grating to look like a real bench and a table? The criteria of appealing and unique design, durability and easy to produce were the focal point of the cooperation with PcP.Solution and manufacturingTogether with PcP, WUM has developed prototypes for garden furniture. The gratings are made in bespoke dimensions for outdoor tables and benches in three different sizes (Small, Medium and Large).The garden furniture is made of 33/33 mill finish steel mesh gratings with 25/2 bearing bars. Instead of 25x3mm edge bars most commonly used, they are made with 25x5mm edge bars. This solution reduces the deflection of the garden furniture as much as possible. In addition, mounting holes are made in the grates to suit WUM's mounting brackets. Finally, the gratings get an extra-fine finish in the form of sharp edge grinding and welding spray. Once manufactured by PcP, they are sent for surface treatment: electropolish and then powder coating. As a result, the material and construction of garden furniture is a very durable solution for both weather conditions and capacity.

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.

Invited to work with our friends, Mike and Frank of hot tub specialists, Euphoria Lifestyle, to create a traditional garden sauna chalet for a private client based in Surrey, HELO proposed the popular MIKA model. The site available suited perfectly the MIKA design with deep walls and compact but attractive fascia. The standard model was however a little short on space to meet all the client’s requirements so a special extended model was commissioned with an extra central room to house the shower and cold plunge. The result: a completely self-contained family sauna retreat!

Our range of synthetic grasses and materials come in a large variety of colours and textures ideal for commercial flooring indoor and out. With our unique cutting service, we are able to customize any piece of grass with brand logos or patterns to provide eye-catching flooring that stands out from the crowd.