We had a quotation for paving over our ugly concrete patio - far too costly. We were wondering about decking, but I have 2 questions: 1. Why do so many of you say you keep the dogs off the decking? We couldn't do that as it would lead directly from the lounge. 2: If the decking joins on to the house do you still have to have the 6" gap between the top of the deck and the damp-proof course - in which case I can't see how it could work?
However once we've got that sorted out I think we'll have to consider gravel for where the lawn used to be - I've really had enough of the endless mud. Any advice welcome!

I shall watch this post with interest, as I am considering "decking" a part of the garden to put table and chair on in the sunnyist part. Not close to the house though

We have just removed some decking from a garden we are working on at the moment.  I personally hate the stuff, unless you keep it very regularly cleaned its gets slippery with algae, dogs tiddling on it will stain it and make it smell.  Unless you fill the sides in very well with no gaps, it can harbour rats and mice, we found a nest under the one we removed!!!  Together with Hundreds snails and spiders, yuuck!!!

If it was me I would put some wood edging (the stuff I mean is the half round connected together with wire) this will allow for water drainage,  around your piece of nasty concrete and then gravel on top of the concrete. You can then use disenfectant sprayed onto the gravel to keep the dog wee smells at bay

As regards breaching the dampproof course, you do not attach the edging to the house, there has to be gap left for swelling due to water, so it cannot breech the dampproof.

Decking is going out of fashion by the way, there was none to be seen at the Chelsea Flower Show this year.

<<Decking is going out of fashion by the way>>

Damn! Do you mean I've got to throw that length of 4x2 I've just brought away? Maybe I'll use it as a training aid instead. :p

ROTFLOL John

That'd put the cat amongst the pigeons :-D ;-)

xx

;)