Decking and garden gates- good deals/ tips?

[Chrysanthamum]

Hi our 15 month year old is getting v active so I want to toddler proof the garden soon. We also have a 3rd child on the way so we may as well do it properly. Our back is ok but the patio is concrete with quite a high step from the door. We thought about putting a deck over the slabs. It doesn't seem like a complicated job but where's the best place to buy decking? We have no front garden gate either so need to get one soon. As usual our budget is lean. Any ideas?

Same dialemma, watching this thread with great interest.

DP says very cheap decking not worth buying-because its not been kiln (slow) dried the wood will buckle/twist with age.

Go for mid range from somewhere like Wickes/B&Q

Also very cheap decking has sunken grooves-these get filled up with mould/slime and it can become very slippery. More expensive stuff has a raised 'tread'.

Interested in this too. How much do you think professionally installed decking would be? Area is 9m sq. Including ground prep etc.

DP guessed around £750 to £1000 depending on the style/quality

Found this product, kiln dried and large discount. Ribbed decking is a pain to clean regardless, however, it's supposed to make it less slippery. The key is a good hard wire bruch.

www.buydeckingdirect.co.uk/search-2.4-metre-patio-deck-boards-pack-of-10-bdd-930

Thanks snice. I've been quoted £1350 which I think is a bit steep. It is pine so not even hardwood for that price.

We bought our own materials, got free delivery as bought bulk (had more work done on the garden walls, gates etc. as well) and getting quotes on labour only. Where abouts are you, MollieO, we live in Oxfordshire so let's see if the pricing differs much.

Wickes seem to have quite good deals. Ebay have some too but I'm not sure about the quality. Our patio area is quite small so I was really hoping to get a bargain. My husband is going to make the garden gate and a builder pal is going to help him. I'm setting him a time span of 2 weeks for the gate because my only problem with DIY is that wee jobs get started and not finished for ages. Wickes have some nice gates too. I'd love to pay someone to do the decking as well but I reckon we could manage it ourselves and save a bit.