by Tracey Watkins

Created on: August 03, 2008   Last Updated: August 23, 2009

As I awaken to the sun beaming in through the window, the sound of children playing, reminding me that summer once again was here.

This summer was going to be different, my outdoor space and garden was to be a complete landscaping project. It was not just going to add attractive space outside, but to me it was to be my special space where I could relax, unwind and get inspiration for my writing. And more importantly remember those dear to me that I lost.

Decking was going to be the key, but thankfully I knew just the man for the job. Although my brother is a carpenter by trade, I knew that he had done several decking areas for his bosses clients, which were obviously bigger in square foot, than what mine was going to be. He set about measuring the size, working out the foundation to place the decking on. Thankfully we had already had a sort of foundation, as the previous tenants had a base for a greenhouse. We just filled it in with spare earth that we had when we built the driveway at the time. So that was a good start. All my brother had to do was work out the amount of wood he would need to build the joists to place the decking planks. You could get decking tiles, but this would have worked out expensive, and I wanted to keep the costs to a minimum.

We visited our local timber yard and ordered the amount of wood and decking planks that we need, a tub of decking screws, membrane to stop the weeds growing up through, posts and spindles to create another area in the garden. As you don't have to have the railing you could just have the basic decking slab area. But this wouldn't have created the effect I was looking for.

It had just taken a matter of few hours to lay the membrane and build the base ,next he set work to putting the planks in place .I had a choice what way I wanted the grooves, so I chose to have them facing the pavement, as for the rain to run off. Once this was done he added the posts and the spindles. At this point I had left him to it and went inside to order my new decking furniture and visited the local garden centre for wooden troughs to put the flowers I had taken time the week before to choose .I didn't just want anything they had to blend in with the surrounding, as I didn't want the attention took away from the decking area.

I think it was the fourth day that it was all complete (as it was done in my Brothers spare time, generally after work in the evenings) and I was told to paint the wood with decking seal, so as to protect the wood from the weather. My furniture had arrived and whilst I was placing it around and the planted troughs, my husband was just finishing laying the last lot of chipping over the original grass garden in-front. I stood up onto the decking overlooking the new feature landscape my husband had been busy on . I couldn't help but get emotional as I felt peaceful and relaxed with my own space in our back yard. My Advise to anyone who is thinking of decking it not only add value to your home, but a room doesn't have to be inside. On a beautiful summers day it can be your retreat for the summer, whilst you listen to the sounds of nature and feel tranquility.

Learn more about this author, Tracey Watkins.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.