Hardwood and composite decks, pergolas, carports and timber garden rooms — built on engineered sub-frames that don't sink, warp or rot. Designed to look intentional for 20+ years.
Sub-frame in pressure-treated C24 — guaranteed 15 years.
Outdoor structures are the timber framing, decking and joinery work that transforms a garden — raised and ground-level decks, pergolas, carports, garden offices and storage, planters, screens and gates. Built on engineered foundations (concrete pads, ground screws or paving slabs) with pressure-treated sub-frames and decking boards in composite, softwood or hardwood.
Homeowners turning a patchy back garden into a usable entertaining space, landlords adding value to outdoor space at re-let, hospitality clients building decking for pubs and outdoor dining, and anyone who wants more use of their garden across more months of the year.
Spring through autumn is the obvious build window, but pressure-treated structures can be installed year-round in Merseyside's climate. The best time to build a deck is the spring before the summer you want to use it — book 8–12 weeks ahead.
Most decks fail at the sub-frame, not the boards. Posts set in soil rot in 3–5 years; joists without adequate ventilation underneath rot in 8; decking boards laid without a 3mm expansion gap cup and split. Done properly — concrete-set posts or ground screws, ventilated sub-frame, correct fastener spec — a deck or pergola lasts 20+ years.
The classic shortcut. Posts must be concrete-set or fixed to galvanised post saddles above ground, never buried in soil. Almost every failing deck we replace failed here.
Without 100–150mm of clear ventilation under the joists, the sub-frame stays damp and rots. We always raise off ground level with pads or screws and leave clear air space.
Timber expands across the grain when wet. Boards laid with no expansion gap warp upward and split. We lay with 3–5mm gaps so they breathe.
Mild-steel screws bleed rust streaks down hardwood boards in one winter. We use stainless or coated decking screws as standard.
Site visit, sketched design, materials options (composite vs hardwood vs softwood), and an honest view on whether what you want is going to work in your soil and aspect.
Concrete pads, ground screws or paving slabs set out to a tight tolerance. Pressure-treated C24 joists at 400mm centres for composite, 450mm for timber. Cross-bracing on raised decks.
Boards laid with consistent expansion gaps using a spacer. Stainless or coated screws. End-cuts treated with end-grain preserver. Hidden fixings available on premium composite and hardwood schemes.
Posts concrete-set or galvanised-saddle fixed. Beams and rafters bolted with structural fasteners. Roofing in EPDM, polycarbonate or shingles per design. Fully insulated for garden offices.
Decking and timber finished with oil or stain per client choice. Snag walked with you. Care notes left for maintenance — usually a single annual clean and re-oil.
Pressure-treated C24, ventilated, with proper post detailing. Decking boards carry the manufacturer's warranty separately.
Drainage falls built in, expansion gaps respected, fasteners chosen for wet conditions. No surprises in February.
Boards laid to consistent gaps, edges bull-nosed or trimmed flush, fascia boards mitred at corners. Looks designed, not bolted together.
Composite for zero-maintenance, hardwood for warmth and patina, softwood for budget. We carry samples and explain the trade-offs.
Timber-frame, breathable membrane, mineral wool insulation, weatherboarded or rendered finish. Useable year-round.
A well-built deck and pergola measurably lifts perceived value and resale — outdoor space matters now in a way it didn't 10 years ago.
Outdoor structures look simple but failure modes are unforgiving. The Merseyside climate is wet, the soils are clay-heavy, and the wind off the Mersey is no joke. Below is what we build, in the detail that determines whether it lasts 5 years or 25.
Composite boards eliminate the annual oil-and-stain maintenance of timber, with a 25–30 year manufacturer warranty against fade and decay. Higher upfront cost, much lower lifetime cost. Hidden fixing systems give a clean finish with no visible screws. We install to the manufacturer's joist-spacing and fastener specs so the warranty stays valid.
Hardwood has warmth and a long patina life. Properly installed with stainless fixings and end-grain treatment, hardwood lasts 25+ years in our climate with annual oiling. We pre-drill all fixings to avoid splitting and chamfer board edges for a furniture-grade finish.
Pergolas in pressure-treated softwood or oak — posts concrete-set 600mm into ground, beams bolted with M12 coach bolts, rafters housed into beams. Adjustable louvre roofs available for shade control. Carports built to take vehicle weights with appropriate post and beam sizing.
Timber-frame structures on engineered foundations (concrete pads or ground screws), insulated to current Approved Doc L guidance, weatherboarded externally and plasterboarded internally. Electrics first-fixed and certificated. Most stay under permitted development (no planning) provided they meet specific height and use rules. We confirm at the survey.
Driveway and side gates in softwood, hardwood or steel-framed timber. Hung on heavy-duty pintles and concrete-set posts. Automated gate motors fitted by partner specialists. Screens for hot tubs, bins and air conditioners built to match existing fencing or as a feature.
Bespoke joinery is custom timber work designed and built to your specific dimensions, finish and use — staircases, fitted wardrobes, alcove storage, media units, wall panelling, library walls, window seats, kitchen islands, reception desks.
Explore Bespoke JoineryAn extension build is the construction of new habitable floor area attached to an existing property — single-storey rear or side, two-storey rear, wrap-around L-shape, or front porches.
Explore Extension BuildsA full property renovation is a coordinated programme of works — strip-out, structural alterations, services first fix, plastering, joinery, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, decoration and snagging — delivered to a fixed scope, a fixed price and a defined timeline.
Explore Full Property Renovations
Free site visit across Liverpool & Merseyside. Sketch, materials samples and indicative budget within 7 days.
