re-doing my decking and wondering where people have bought good quality but not daft expensive decking timbers from? Based in Bristol so have all the usual big names places nearby
Ring your builders merchants to get quotes for what you need, Local merchants nearly always cheaper than the big guys IME
Local timber merchants/place that has the length you're looking ie - if it's gonna be 2.6m wide, then my local place sells 5.2m lengths, so no waste.
local timber merchants - even if they are not a lot cheaper, the material will be better quality than B&Q/Wickes.
After an extensive search I found Wickes to offer the best value for money - they had a 2 for the price of 3 offer. Watch out for the thickness of the boards when you are looking. Wickes have a thicker board which make a lot of difference
Just bought ours from Alsford if there's one near you?
I have been buying wood from our local sawmill - outrageously cheap compared to B&Q or builders merchant, they will even deliver, although I use the[s] tank[/s] Galaxy.
edit: e.g. Wickes fencepost was £11, B&Q £12+, local sawmill was £3.55....
As above, find your local timber merchant.
I use the one in Torquay that is right next to B&Q .
Timber is approx 30-40% cheaper in there. Plus they deliver too, ideal on the longer lengths
Clarks by the Feeder canal or Robbins near Ashton Gate are pretty good timber places. Not had decking from either though.
I bought from a timber merchant - and would again - but something to watch is they they have a high turnover of stock, and your decking may have only been cut and treated shortly before you get it. Softwood can shrink 5% in width and/or thickness as it dries out, and if you don't allow for that you will get big gaps in your decking.
We bought some fence panels and some picket fencing recently.. Belive it or not, our local B&M bargains has an outdoor section and turned out cheapest. Cheaper woodstain too.
Shop around.
Doesn't matter where you get it, it's what you get that matters.
If it's softwood try to make sure it's Larch or Pine, it's much more naturally durable, spruce will only last as long as the pressure treatment.
I bought some excellent pressure treated decking from Fountain Timber in Brockley Combe
I buy all my timber from Derek Foxes in Longridge. Managed to do our decking for a quarter of the price it would have cost buying from B&Q. This included screws and stain. If you have your measurements they'll usually cut to length. BandQ are restricted to what they can cut in some stores.
thanks for advice. I will try some of those timber merchants. Good point too re getting things cut to size....will save me wastage.