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Shape Landscaping Have Some Spring Tips

Thursday 20 October 2016, 2:13PM

By Beckie Wright

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As we head into Spring the weather is starting to improve and it’s time to get outside and enjoy the sunshine! It’s also a great time to consider building a new deck, or renovating an existing one to give you and the family a stunning outdoor area to enjoy during the summer barbecue season.  At Shape Landscaping they take care of their clients’ landscape installation, from expert design to careful implementation and ongoing maintenance, and this spring they have a few tips to share with you.

 

When selecting the timber for your deck, there are a few things to consider. Pine is the most economic option to use for decking, however it tends to splinter and degrade quickly over time. Hardwood decking timbers offer a far more durable solution and are also far more pleasing to the eye. The most popular decking that Shape Landscaping use is Vitex, which is a natural hardwood grown in the Solomon Islands. Vitex is a light golden brown timber, which is extremely hard wearing and durable. Vitex ages to a silver/grey colour over time. Kwila is another long lasting popular option and is dark red brown in colour. Be aware when selecting Kwila that this timber tends to bleed a lot which can stain surrounding concrete and plaster. 

 

Moisture can cause timber to shrink and swell. When ordering timber, it’s best to order timber that has been air-dried of preferably kiln-dried. This makes the timber more stable. You can request this from your timber supplier. Wet timber may be cheaper to order, but this is not a good option for decking timber as it will warp as it dries. 

 

When it comes to fixing decking timber to your joists, depending on your budget you can choose to use nails which should be grooved to grip into the joist timber. At Shape Landscaping we always screw fasten our decking timber using stainless steel screws because we want the fixing to last as long as the decking timber, and for this stainless steel screws are the best option. Regardless of which fixing (nail or screw) you decide to use, hardwood decking timber should always be pre-drilled to prevent splitting the timber. 

 

The team at Shape Landscaping have a well-earned reputation for their exceptional work and their careful implementation of their clients’ landscaping needs, but they are also known for their dedication to providing the best customer service possible, so for more information on Shape Landscaping and their gardening tips, please visit the website at http://www.shapelandscaping.co.nz