“We were so happy to find Danny at Bowen’s via Bark… His prices seem very fair and our patios now look 100 times better. He arrived on the dot of 9am this morning as promised and both men worked really hard to finish the job before dark.”
Our services
Decking installation in Norwich
Timber decks and steps built on a frame that will not sag or bounce, finished neatly at the edges where cheap decking usually gives itself away.
What decking covers
Danny trained in carpentry and joinery before moving into landscaping, so decking is the part of the job he most enjoys. The frame is where a deck is won or lost: treated joists at sensible centres, sitting on solid footings with air moving underneath, and a slight fall so rain runs off.
Above that, boards are screwed down with consistent gaps and the cut ends are treated. Steps, skirting and handrails are built in rather than added on, which is what stops a deck looking like a kit.
Decking or paving?
Decking suits sloping gardens and high back doors, and it is warmer underfoot. Paving suits shaded, damp corners and needs less looking after. If your garden would be better paved we will say so, even though it is a different job for us.
Common problems
What this service solves
-
The garden slopes
Decking is often the tidiest way to get a level, usable area out of a sloping garden without the cost of retaining walls and fill.
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The old deck bounces
Springy boards mean the joists underneath are too far apart or have started to rot. That is a frame problem, not a board problem.
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The back door is high up
A raised deck brings the garden up to the level of the house so you can step straight out instead of dropping down a couple of steps.
Our work
Recent decking jobs
How it works
What happens, step by step
- 1
Check levels and ground
We look at the fall across the site, the height of the door threshold and what the ground underneath is like.
- 2
Design and price
Size, shape, board direction and where the steps go, priced with the timber and fixings specified.
- 3
Build the frame
Treated joists at the right spacing on solid footings, with a slight fall so water runs off rather than sitting on the boards.
- 4
Lay the boards
Boards go down with even gaps, screwed rather than nailed, with cuts kept to the edges and treated where they are cut.
- 5
Finish the edges
Skirting, steps and any handrail go on last. This is the part that decides whether a deck looks built or thrown together.
Testimonials
Why clients What customers say about our work
Not answered here?
Ring Danny and ask. He would rather talk it through than have you guessing.
Frequently asked questions
Decking questions people ask
01. Is decking slippery in winter?
Any timber gets slippery when algae builds up on it, particularly in shade. Keeping it swept and giving it a wash once a year deals with most of it. If the spot is very shaded we may suggest paving instead, or a composite board.
02. How long does decking last?
A properly built treated softwood deck with a well-ventilated frame should give you many years of use with occasional re-treating. What kills decks early is a frame sitting in wet ground with no airflow underneath.
03. Do you fit composite decking?
Yes. Composite costs noticeably more up front but needs very little looking after and does not need re-treating. Danny will go through the difference in cost and upkeep so you can decide.
04. Does decking need planning permission?
Usually not, provided it is no more than 300mm above ground level and does not cover more than half the garden. Raised decks near a boundary can be different, so it is worth checking with the council.
05. Can you replace just the boards on my existing deck?
If the frame is sound, yes, and it is a good saving. We will check the joists first and tell you straight if the frame has gone, because new boards on a failing frame is money wasted.
Where we work
Across Norfolk and Suffolk
We are based on Pettus Road in Eaton, so a lot of our regular work is within a short drive of south Norwich. For landscaping projects we travel right across Norfolk and Suffolk.
Not sure whether you are in range? Send us your postcode and we will tell you straight away.
Based in Eaton, Norwich
26 Pettus RoadEaton
Norwich
NR4 7BY
Opening hours
- Monday to Friday
- 9:00am to 4:00pm
- Saturday
- 10:00am to 4:00pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Other things we do
Request a quote
Get a free quote for decking
Tell us what you need doing and Danny will come out, take a look and give you a price. No charge for the visit and no pressure afterwards.