Timber Trestle
Garden Decking
Garden decking is going to be a key part in our landscaping around the house. On one side of our property, the ground drops away dramatically as it forms a wooded valley. This is our land, too, and therefore it can't be built on. It is also north-facing which can be a blessing in the summer when temperatures regularly hit the mid-thirties.
My idea is to form a timber trestle structure off of a concrete base and then place timber decking to form a walkway and sitting out area raised up above the void. This will provide a superb vantage point and give both needed shade and excellent views over the valley. I see it as a quiet refuge in our garden.
I've always liked the idea of garden decking although I feel that in many cases it is not used to its full advantage. Perhaps the civil engineer in me thinks that timber decking is a form of pavement and therefore must lead somewhere and serve some purpose. That does not mean you cannot use decking for your garden if it isn't quite on the scale of ours (9 hectares).
To my mind, the idea of garden decking is to take the front room into the garden - an extension of the patio doors, perhaps or, a way of accessing the garden without risk of destroying the plants (in the manner of the way in which decking is used in nature reserves to protect the natural habitat).
The idea is to get 'up close and personal' with your garden and not just see the plants and trees through a pane of glass. Whether the garden decking is connected to the house or it accesses an area which would otherwise be 'out of bounds' (eg over a pond) or whether it is a quiet preserve away from the house doesn't make any difference.
Timber decking is the standard although there are other types. It is readily customizable via a vast range of different decorative forms or color-wise via different stains and oils. My preference for timber treatment - unfortunately regular maintenance is a requisite of anything made of wood - is teak oil which is a bit expensive but goes on easy, is very durable and which brings out the natural good looks of the wood.
Back to my planning. I can't wait to get the trestles up and on with the garden decking!
About the Author
Clive West is a retired civil engineer. He now lives in Italy with his wife, Damaris, in a former Umbrian farmhouse which they are modernising. You can read more of his helpful guides and see about living in Italy on their websites.
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Timber Frame Style Saw Horse Trestle in current magazine.?
I saw a woodworking magazine that is either current or just past the shelf date that has some plans for timber frame style trestles. I am trying to see if anyone knows what magazine this is and the issue. I thought it was Fine Homebuilding but nothing I find online can confirm it. Any info. would be great!
There is a magazine called Timber Frame Homes. Could that be it? My husband reads that.