Category: Garden DIY

Do I Need Planning Permission to Install a Deck?

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Installing a deck in your garden can be an excellent way to create an outdoor oasis, providing a space for relaxation, entertainment, and enjoying the beauty of nature. However, before embarking on your decking project, it’s essential to understand whether you need planning permission. This blog post will guide you through the regulations and considerations regarding planning permission for decks, ensuring you have all the information you need to proceed confidently with your project.

Understanding Planning Permission

Planning permission is a legal requirement in many cases when carrying out building work or making significant changes to your property. It ensures that any development adheres to local regulations and does not negatively impact the environment or neighbouring properties. When it comes to installing a deck, there are specific criteria that determine whether planning permission is necessary.

Decking Height: To Seek Permission or Not?

One crucial factor that determines whether you need planning permission for your deck is its height above ground level. In general, if your decking is less than 30cm above ground level, it falls under “permitted development” and does not require planning permission. This means you can proceed with confidence knowing that your project meets the necessary guidelines.

However, if your decking will be elevated 30cm or more above ground level, planning permission may be required. This elevation limit ensures that any raised structures undergo proper scrutiny to maintain safety standards and prevent potential issues such as obstructing views or violating privacy.

Assessing Garden Area Coverage

Another consideration when determining if planning permission is needed for your deck is the percentage of garden area it covers. If your proposed decking covers more than 50% of the total garden area (including any existing extensions or outbuildings), then you will likely require planning permission.

This rule aims to preserve sufficient open space within gardens while preventing excessive construction that could harm biodiversity or impact neighboring properties’ amenity value. By considering this aspect, planning authorities ensure that your decking project strikes the right balance between enhancing your outdoor space and maintaining a harmonious environment.

Exceptions and Additional Considerations

While the guidelines mentioned above provide a general framework for understanding planning permission requirements, it’s essential to note that exceptions and additional considerations may apply. Local regulations can vary, so it is advisable to consult with your local planning authority or seek professional advice if you are unsure about the specifics.

Some factors that might influence whether planning permission is needed include conservation areas, listed buildings, or properties located in protected areas. These circumstances may impose stricter rules to preserve architectural integrity, protect natural habitats, or maintain the character of an area. Consulting with experts will help you navigate any additional requirements and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations.

The Benefits of Seeking Planning Permission

Although seeking planning permission may require additional effort and time investment, there are several benefits to obtaining approval for your deck installation:

  1. Peace of Mind: By obtaining planning permission, you can proceed with your project confidently, knowing that it adheres to local regulations and won’t face any legal issues in the future.
  2. Preserving Property Value: Ensuring compliance with planning regulations helps maintain property values by preserving neighbourhood aesthetics and preventing potential disputes.
  3. Environmental Considerations: Planning permission ensures that development considers environmental impacts such as drainage systems, biodiversity preservation, and sustainability measures.
  4. Neighbourhood Harmony: Obtaining permission shows respect for neighbouring properties by ensuring that your project won’t negatively impact their privacy or amenity value.

By considering these benefits alongside the specific requirements for your decking project, you can make an informed decision regarding whether to seek planning permission.

In Conclusion

Installing a deck can transform your outdoor space into a haven where countless memories are made. To determine whether you need planning permission for your decking project, consider factors such as height above ground level and garden area coverage. Remember that seeking professional advice and consulting with your local planning authority is crucial to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations.

While navigating the planning permission process may seem daunting, it ultimately ensures that your decking project aligns with legal requirements, environmental considerations, and neighborhood harmony. So, whether you need planning permission or not, take the necessary steps to create a stunning deck that enriches your lifestyle while respecting the surrounding environment.

Fence Painting: The Ultimate Guide

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Looking to personalise your garden? Painting your fence is a brilliant way to brighten up your surroundings. Whether you want to simply refresh your garden with a fresh coat of fence stain, or you want to switch up the look completely with a bold and colourful fence colour. Painting a wooden fence is a quick and easy job to do. Read this step-by-step guide and we’ll walk you through the process.

1. Prepare your surroundings

First and foremost, ensure you pick a day when the weather is clear and dry. Then, clear the area around your garden fence. Cut back any trees or shrubs or tie them back to make sure they’re out of the way of your workspace. Move garden furniture out of the way and cover your patio, decking, or lawn with plastic sheets to protect it from any paint splashes.

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2. Wash and sand your fence

Your fence may be covered in dirt and cobwebs from the harsh winter. You’ll want to remove any dirt, debris or flaking bits of old paint so that it’s ready for a new lease of life. A stiff brush will usually do the trick, but if your fence is really caked in dirt, you can use warm soapy water to help get it off. If you do use water to clean the fence, make sure it’s thoroughly dry before attempting to paint.

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3. Apply the fence paint/stain

It’s time to get painting! Choose fence paint with a tough and durable formula that has been specially designed to be used on exterior wood. Whether you use a paintbrush or paint sprayer is up to you.

If you’re using a fence paint brush, ensure that you paint following the direction of the wood grain for a smooth finish. Make sure you start from the top and slowly work your way down so that you catch any paint and avoid waste. If you’ve got a large surface area, a fence sprayer will help you get the job done quickly. Ensure you wear a dust mask and goggles and make sure you’ve covered the areas surrounding the fence properly, as there will be a little bit of overspray.

Allow the paint or stain to dry for as many hours as the tin advises and reapply coats as needed.

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4. Clean your tools

Your tools are important, make sure you can use them again! If you’ve used water-based paint, you can simply wash your brushes in warm, soapy water. If you’ve used oil-based paint, you’ll want to soak your brushes in white spirit to get the paint off. This is because oil and water don’t mix.

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Looking for the best deals on fence painting tools?

Check out our amazing deals here on the eDecks website!

We also offer plenty of support and expert advice for most projects – and any products we sell online. Contact eDecks here for personalised advice for your project today.

At eDecks you can not only expect a good deal but also:

Superfast FREE delivery on orders over £150*

48 hour delivery on many products

Handy FREE installation guides (and even instructional videos!)

*Free delivery applies to most of the UK, but some areas may incur a charge, unfortunately – please check the eDecks website for more details.

Make Your Garden Low Maintenance

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Whether you have a small garden, hate gardening, or just have a busy schedule, garden maintenance can be very time-consuming. Knowing how to create a low-maintenance outdoor area is important when you want the ability to enjoy your garden hassle-free.

Simple designs don’t have to be boring, they suit gardens of any size and can match the contemporary design of your home or create a zen space, we can show you how to do it effectively and at a low cost.

Remove the grass

Whilst grass looks fantastic, it’s one of the highest-maintenance areas in a garden. Another downside to real grass is, summer is its peak growing season, meaning keeping on top of maintenance can be exhausting thanks to our increasingly warm weather.

Instead of real grass, consider making the move to artificial grass to keep the greenery without the difficulty of maintenance. Here at eDecks, we offer a wide range of artificial grass to suit your preferred length, colour, and absorbency. Artificial grass simply needs a brush every now and then to keep it looking clean.

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Install low-maintenance decking

If you want to be rid of grass altogether, installing low-maintenance boards like composite decking can bring the sleekness of your indoor space outside. We offer decking in a wide range of colours, from grey to brown to suit your taste and your home’s style. Composite decking is popular thanks to its simple maintenance and attractive appearance.

We recommend giving your decking a thorough brush to remove debris. Brushing it over with a soft brush and warm, soapy water is also beneficial. This only needs to be done a few times a year, completely removing the need for high maintenance.

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Say goodbye to wood garden furniture

Keeping on top of maintenance with wood furniture can be as difficult as real grass or even wood decking. This furniture needs to be brought inside during the winter months or left outside it can become worn and weathered. Whilst it can be waxed, sanded, and sealed, that requires a lot of effort (which is what we want to avoid!)

So, why not switch to a rattan-style garden set? These garden furnishings require absolutely no maintenance and can be left outside all year round.

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Remove shrubs and add fencing

Whilst shrubbery can make your garden look greener, fencing allows for more space and less fuss. Fencing also allows for more privacy than shrubs, meaning you can keep nosy neighbours out and enjoy your space! Furthermore, you can customise fencing to suit the design of your garden with our wide range of fencing paints and stains.

If you want a zen, Japanese-style garden, why not add a pergola or trellis to make the space feel bigger? Long-lasting and with minimal upkeep required, this is a great way to add an eye-catching feature to your garden without creating more work for yourself.

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Mulch it over

If weeds are the cause of all your problems, why not introduce some mulch to your garden? Mulch is a great, low-maintenance alternative to soil and grass as you don’t have to mow or water it – plus, it prevents weeds.

If you want to create depth without the addition of plants or shrubbery, adding decorative stones or slate chippings to your borders is one of the simplest low-maintenance garden ideas.

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Looking for the best deals on garden supplies?

Check out our amazing deals here on the eDecks website!

We also offer plenty of support and expert advice for most projects – and any products we sell online. Contact eDecks here for personalised advice for your project today.

At eDecks you can not only expect a good deal but also:

Superfast FREE delivery on orders over £150*

48 hour delivery on many products

Handy FREE installation guides (and even instructional videos!)

*Free delivery applies to most of the UK, but some areas may incur a charge, unfortunately – please check the eDecks website for more details.

How to Upcycle Garden Furniture

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When the darker nights draw in and the weather gets colder, it’s easy to forget about our once-beloved garden furniture. They become home to spiders and bugs, fade away with the harsh weather and become unused. We’re here to help you rescue your furnishings, breathe a new lease of life into your garden again and get ready for the warmer weather!

Embrace the natural wood

If your garden furnishings are wood, why not embrace their natural beauty? By using a wood preserver you can nourish the wood whilst adding a natural colour, which will match the natural feel of your garden. Perhaps you want to give your shed a new lease of life whilst in the DIY spirit? Shed and fence preserver allows you to match your newly renovated furniture to your garden buildings!

Natural wood preserves are perfect if your wooden garden furniture is in need of some extra TLC and the colour will last years so you don’t have to keep doing it every summer. You’ll also be able to enjoy your garden as soon as the warm weather returns!

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Give your furniture a new life

Why not go bright and bold? We carry a wide range of colourful furniture paint that can bring your garden furniture to life. Adding a pop of colour can turn furnishings into the focal point of your outdoor area. If you’re also short on space it can add a playful touch and brighten up even the smallest of gardens!

If your garden is filled with greenery, it’s a good idea to match your furniture to its prominent colours. By doing this, you highlight the natural beauty of your plants. Why not try one of our bright greens to go alongside bright artificial grass or a neutral grey to match a decking stain or a neutral interior, bringing the inside outside?

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Cheat the system

Looking to cut the painting job in half? You can take a shortcut by draping a tablecloth across a tired old table or some brand-new chair cushions can help to transform your furniture from shabby to chic and hide all your sins (just make sure you don’t leave them out in the rain!)

Don’t want to DIY or upcycle? You can always cheat by shopping our great range of garden furniture here at eDecks. We offer beautiful, natural furnishings like garden benches, picnic tables and contemporary dining sets. If you’re inspired to go colourful though, you can always shop for our colourful paints and stains alongside garden furnishings.

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Looking for the best deals on upcycling materials?

Check out our amazing deals here on the eDecks website!

We also offer plenty of support and expert advice for most projects – and any products we sell online. Contact eDecks here for personalised advice for your project today.

At eDecks you can not only expect a good deal but also:

Superfast FREE delivery on orders over £150*

48 hour delivery on many products

Handy FREE installation guides (and even instructional videos!)

*Free delivery applies to most of the UK, but some areas may incur a charge, unfortunately – please check the eDecks website for more details.

Dog-Friendly Landscaping for Your Garden

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It can be difficult to keep your garden beautiful whilst creating a fun environment for dogs. It’s important to make adjustments to suit both your dog and lifestyle, in this blog we will show you how to do just that without sacrificing your beautiful garden with dog-friendly landscaping!

Use aggregates to avoid grass damage

Dogs can cause grass to turn yellow, avoid this by using aggregates to hardscape areas your dog frequents. If you’re not a big fan of garden maintenance either, this is an easy solution for you! Hardscaped gardens require little to no maintenance and save you money since you won’t have to invest in garden maintenance tools. Aggregates are especially useful for dog owners because you can avoid muddy paws and digging, so no more eyesore holes dotted around your perfect garden!

Credit: DA on Pinterest

Artificial grass

Similarly to aggregates, artificial grass stops fading and yellow spots, digging and most importantly, muddy paws. Artificial grass is often less toxic than chemically treated natural grass so if your dog has a tendency to try chewing new things, they will be safe. It’s also easy to clean up after your dog and can be wiped clean with ease!

Credit: Ron Fung on Unsplash

Install a Sandbox

Does your dog have an insatiable need to dig despite your best efforts to stop them? It might be time for a sandbox. Give your dog their own designated digging area and let them have all the fun they want! We carry our very own sand and a wide range of timber so you can make your dog’s play area customised to your garden, meaning you don’t have to compromise your garden’s looks.

Credit: Oleksandr Horbach on Unsplash

Border your flowers off

If your dogs can’t get enough of digging up your fresh soil or eating your fresh vegetables it might be time to add a border to keep them out. Garden borders can vary by size and desired look from log rolls to sleepers it all depends on your dog’s temper and, more importantly, the aesthetics of your garden. A garden border not only helps to keep animals away from your plant life, but it also makes it look much neater and can help to organise!

Credit: Ideal Home on Pinterest

Looking for the best deals on dog-friendly landscaping products?

Check out our amazing deals here on the eDecks website!

We also offer plenty of support and expert advice for most projects – and any products we sell online. Contact eDecks here for personalised advice for your project today.

At eDecks you can not only expect a good deal but also:

Superfast FREE delivery on orders over £150*

48 hour delivery on many products

Handy FREE installation guides (and even instructional videos!)

*Free delivery applies to most of the UK, but some areas may incur a charge, unfortunately – please check the eDecks website for more details.

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