Tag: gardens

How To: Lay Gravel Correctly

aggregates diy Garden Design Ideas Garden DIY gardening gravel No Comments

When it comes to gravel and aggregates here at eDecks, we have a wide range of different colours, textures and sizes. Whether your project is large or small, as a decorative area or for a pathway or seating area, we have information, tips and more to help you create your perfect gravelled area.

decorative gravel

Gravel is a popular option when re-decorating your garden, as it is cost-effective and an easy option that can help transform your garden. However, it is recommended that you consider the size of the stones to suit its requirements, whether it be for decorative purposes or it is to be used as a pathway. It is very important to ensure you prepare the area first, as aggregates can be difficult to keep clean and clear of leaves and weeds. eDecks recommend you mark out the section of land you wish to place the stones so you can get a good understanding of how much you require.

gravel

If you are using the gravel for a decorative area, you then have a wider option of which colours and styles you can use, as decorative gravel does not get disturbed as often and so you can have fine, medium or large gravel. If you are using gravel for a seating area or footpath, then it would be a good idea to opt for medium sized, as if it is too small/fine then it will move around too easily, yet if it is too large, then it may be difficult or uncomfortable to walk on.

decorative gravel 2

For footpaths and seating areas, it is advised that you dig down about 10cm and place a base of hardcore before laying around 50mm of gravel over the top. This will then help to prevent any gravel from moving and sinking under greater weight and movement. For decorative gravel areas, it can be much easier; simply scrape away the surface leaving it flat, place a weed suppressing membrane over the top to prevent weeds from breaking through the gravel, and then lay the gravel over the area to your requirements. Weed suppressing membrane does not prevent plant growth if you cut out the section you are wanting to use with a knife.

weed membrane

Once your gravel is laid, you may wish to add a finishing touch to complete the look, and to prevent it from moving. You could use something like a log roll, which is a cheap and easy option, or larger cobbles or bricks that can be cemented down to create a more permanent edging for your area.

log roll

cobbles

eDecks offers some of the best deals on Gravel around, including all of the installation supplies and tools you may need. Not only do we provide plenty of unbeatable deals but also:

Super-fast FREE delivery on orders over £100*

48 Hour express delivery available on most items.

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

Please note: These items are delivered to roadside/kerbside or as close to the property as access will allow with the aid of a hand pallet truck.

Please call for bulk pricing.

How To: Lay Shingles

Garden DIY gardens roofing Sheds shingles No Comments

Shingles are a recently popular roof covering which offers good insulation and is often considered one of the longest lasting and attractive-looking roof coverings. When instructed correctly, shingles can be easy to fit, however mistakes can otherwise be made, so today we are giving you an insight on how to correctly lay shingles.

shingles

Firstly, there are three different grades of shingles;

  • Black Label: A utility grade for economy applications and secondary buildings.
  • Red Label: These are your standard grade shingles.
  • Blue Label: Your highest quality shingles, with no knots and no discolouration.

shingles laid

Our shingles are light to transport yet durable and offer a high degree of thermal insulation. They are aesthetically pleasing and practical and will adopt a pleasant silvery grey shade over time. Western Cedar is naturally insect and rot resistant, therefore requiring no further treatment.

bundle of shingles

Cedar Shingles are supplied in bundles and coverage will depend on the application. For maximum life, fixing should be made with two silicone bronze annular ring nails per shingle and roughly 1kg of nails will be required for every 6 bundles of Cedar Shingles.

nails

Installation

Step 1: Cover the roof using roofing felt, and use a hammer stapler to fasten it down, stapling every 304.8mm to 355.6mm.

Step 2: Position the first shingle so its end overhangs the edge of the roof by 31.75mm to 38.1mm. Secure it to the roof with two nails near the top edge of the shingle, about 1 inch below its top edge.

Step 3: Put the next shingle about 3.175mm to 6.35mm away from the edge of the first shingle. This will allow room for the shingles to contract and expand. Ensure the second shingle overhangs the edge of the roof by the same amount as the first shingle. Attach the shingle to the roof with two nails near its top edge.

Step 4: Apply the remaining shingles in the first row using the same method.

Step 5: Apply a second layer of shingles directly on top of the first row. This then adds an extra-high level for the edge of the roof, which creates more space between excess rain and snow and the edge of the roof, where this often collects.

Step 6: Split a shingle in half vertically for the first shingle in the third round of shingles. This helps to create a staggered pattern, similar to traditional bricks. Cut down the centre of the back of the shingle and snap it in half with your hands. These are then installed so that they cover the spaces between the shingles in the row below. Position the shingles in the third row so that the vertical centre falls above the gap between the two shingles in the first and second rows, which are installed one on top of the other.

Step 7: Use a small piece of shingle as a template to position each shingle so that it covers about half of the shingles below it in the previous row and leaves about half the shingles exposed. This is known as the reveal of the shingles, so it should be the same on ever shingle, which is why it is beneficial to have a template with which to measure the reveal on each single.

Step 8: Place shingle ridges on the ridgeline at the top of the roof and then install them after the other shingles are installed on the rest of the roof.

shingle ridges

Mistakes to Avoid

  • When estimating the amount of shingles needed, do not make the mistake of trying to estimate the number until you have figured the square footage area of your roof. Then, use that figure to estimate the number of shingles you will need.
  • Don’t try to estimate the entire roof area all at once. Estimate the square foot area of each section, separately. Then add them together and begin by measuring the roof width and roof height on one section of your roof, then multiplying the two numbers.
  • You will need a solid surface for any replacement shingles, so don’t begin installing the new shingles until you have replaced any missing nails in the old shingles and have nailed down all old shingles that are loose.
  • For a roof with more than three layers of shingles, ensure you remove the old ones before you install any new ones. Use a crowbar, nail bar or roofing shovel to loosen the old shingles and remove them and loose nails before attaching a layer of roofing felt.

shingles settled

eDecks offers some of the best deals on Shingles around, including all of the installation supplies and tools you may need. Not only do we provide plenty of unbeatable deals but also:

Super-fast delivery!

Handy FREE installation guides.

All Shingle sales do incur a delivery charge of £25.19 anywhere in the UK.

Call us for Bulk Options!

 

 

How To: Choose the Right Bricks for You

bricks building No Comments

Bricks are a super sustainable building material, which are durable, require little to no maintenance and can be recycled once you are finished with them. They also contribute to thermal mass, meaning that buildings require less energy for heating and cooling.

Brick Advantages

  • Little to no maintenance required
  • Contributes to thermal mass
  • Provides heat and noise insulation
  • Excellent resistance to fire
  • Allows the flexibility for buildings to be altered for re-use
  • Recyclable
  • Natural and traditional building material with lovely aesthetic qualities
  • A+ rating in the BRE Green Guide
  • Can be used to build homes to the highest levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes

Bricks are available in many different colours and textures and here at eDecks we believe in quality, not quantity and source a select range of bricks which give you options of a classic to a contemporary brick and everything in between.

We offer a wide range of brick styles and manufacturers, including Hanson, Carlton Brick, Colinwell, Ibstock, Wienerberger and more. Bricks can be bought individually or in packs, so we can offer everything you need for your project, whatever style you prefer or quantity you need – there’s no need to buy full packs of bricks if you only need a small amount.

Three easy steps to choosing your bricks;

Step 1: Choose a Colour

We have a variety of colours available, including hues of reds, buff, yellow, brown, and blues and greys.

Step 2: Choose a Texture

  • Smooth – Smooth finish or smooth sandfaced finish, consistent and uniform in character.

smooth

  • Light textured – Modern and uniform, with an indented or printed finish.

light textured

  • Heavy textured – A harder and rougher texture is given from a rusticated brick with a consistent finish.

heavy textured new

  • Stock: Pressed – A smooth sandfaced finish, consistent and uniform in character.

stock pressed

  • Stock: Thrown – A slightly irregular shape, with a creased texture, replicating the appearance of hand-made bricks.

thrown

  • Tumbled – Distressed and irregular in shape offering a rustic charm associated with reclaimed bricks.

tumbled

Step 3: Choose a Size

The standard brick size is 215mm x 102.5mm x 65mm but some of our bricks are made in a 73mm format for greater coverage.

eDecks offers some of the best deals on maintenance-free Bricks around, including all of the tools you may need. Bulk discounts are available across our entire range of bricks. Not only do we provide plenty of unbeatable deals but also:

Super-fast FREE delivery on orders over £100*

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

Please note that bricks are delivered roadside/kerbside or as close to the property as access will allow with the aid of a hand pallet truck.

Composite Fence Panels: A Contemporary Addition

Fencing 1 Comment

A majority of fences are made from hard or soft woods, although recently, there has been a surge in the popularity of composite fence panels due to its contemporary style, which is a relatively new building material that is made from a mixture of plastic and real wood. Composite fence panels are often made from recycled materials, making it an eco-friendly option. The wood composition gives it a beautifully authentic look, while the plastic allows the fencing to last much longer than wholly organic materials. Using composite fencing means your fence will last far longer than the original wooden versions, resulting in fewer replacements and therefore fewer trees are cut down to replace them.

comp

There are many attributes to composite fence panels;

  • Deflects noise pollution – allowing you to enjoy the tranquillity of your garden without outside noise pollution seeping in.
  • Heavy duty – They have reinforced vertical slats ensuring they are gale force proof, resulting in no more cracked or blown out panels.
  • Maintenance free – No more painting and staining, as composite panels don’t fade like traditional fencing.
  • Superior durability – When compared to wood, composite fence panels don’t rot or splinter which is often the case in traditional wooden fencing.
  • Design – Our composite fence panels are designed to fit within your existing structure. No fixings are required as the composite fence panel fits within traditional concrete posts.
  • Cost effective – No need to buy replacement wooden panels after bad winters, as composite fence panels are excellent at withstanding harsh conditions.
  • Easy to assemble – Our composite fencing panels come ready made, so all you need to do is slot them between the original concrete posts.

compo

Our composite fence panels come in a range of sizes and are suitable for fitting in-between existing concrete posts. They are dual sided meaning you could even split the cost with your neighbours so that you can both enjoy the aesthetic qualities of the fencing. We also offer a variety of colours to complement our composite decking collection, including Natural, Walnut and Graphite.

composite

Composite fencing can be slightly more expensive than traditional pure wood fencing, but you can save yourself money by purchasing your fencing online, without the costs of showrooms and stores throughout the country. Online retailers can offer huge discounts on exactly the same products you may find at local hardware stores, so having a quick browse online can be a very cost effective solution. You will then still have the same guarantee as you would in person, with the added benefit that your goods will be delivered straight to your door. If you’re looking for extra guidance on installation, eDecks offers an incredible support service which you can use prior to any purchase, as well as offering professional guides to follow as you build.

posts

To go with your composite fence panels, we also offer a range of accessories, including Composite Fence Posts, Composite Fence Post Caps, available in Flat, Acorn or Globe styles, Composite Fence Post Bolt Downs, to make the installation of a small fence quick and easy, meaning that concrete drives are no longer a problem, and lastly Supaspikes, which have fins that bite into the soft ground giving a stable base for smaller fences.

caps

eDecks offers some of the best deals on maintenance-free Composite Fence Panels around, including all of the installation supplies and tools you may need. Composite fence panels are tough and hard-wearing, give the appearance of a wooden finish and are manufactured here in the UK. Not only do we provide plenty of unbeatable deals but also:

Super-fast FREE delivery on orders over £100*

Handy FREE installation guides.

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

20 Year Guarantee against rotting! *Provided all products have been fitted and maintained to the manufacturer’s recommend

© eDecks 2024

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