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Above: An example of a poorly constructed substructure
man-made materials. Timber, particularly when sourced from sustainable forests, offers a low-carbon solution that aligns with the growing emphasis on green building practices. Sales trends suggest that demand for high value, eco-conscious products are growing, showing that there is a sector of the market, both residential and commercial that will choose product based on eco credentials. Increased consumer awareness around sustainability and government initiatives aimed at reducing carbon footprints, well positions natural materials like timber to reclaim market share. However, TDCA has raised serious concerns about the impact of buyer perceptions about timber caused by substandard materials and unsafe installation practices. The TDCA warns that if these issues persist, the market for timber decking could face irreversible damage.
POOR QUALITY MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP
Through its expert opinion work, the TDCA estimates that many timber decks in the UK are unsafe due to inadequate specifications and/or poor installation practices. The availability of correctly treated strength graded structural timbers and use of inappropriate metal fixings are the key culprits. Encouragingly, BSW Timber is introducing Use Class 4 incised joists for decking to comply with changes to the latest edition
of the British Standard Code of Practice for Wood Preservation, BS 8417 issued last August. Other TDCA members have already adopted this upgraded treatment standard for structural support joists but the industry as a whole has been slow to align deck joists with this requirement.
“It is difficult for purchasers to navigate appropriate standards,” said Ms Sycamore. “We are seeing widespread use of Use Class 2 internal floor joists in deck substructures, which is wholly inappropriate. This short- sighted approach not only erodes consumer trust but also threatens the long-term viability of the timber decking industry.” The prevalence of poor-quality materials has also contributed to the rise of synthetic alternatives. The TDCA argues that the supply chain itself has inadvertently facilitated this shift by failing to promote the use of timber components correctly pre-treated for where they are to be used – for example, in or close to the ground. If consumers continue to lose confidence in the performance of treated timber as a durable and reliable decking material, its share of the market will inevitably reduce.
THE ROLE OF EDUCATION
Education is at the heart of the solution. The industry must prioritise knowledge-sharing to ensure that suppliers, installers, and consumers are well-informed about quality standards and best practices. Organisations like the TDCA play a crucial role in this ►
Top and above: Use of inappropriate fixings has the potential to compromise deck safety
www.ttjonline.com | March/April 2025 | TTJ
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