Pond Decking
The need (or want) for adding pond decking can be for several reasons. Are you looking to come really near and enjoy it as part of experiencing the garden or is it a practical solution for maintenance or feeding purposes? Here we discuss different solutions, some tips and tricks and what to think of before decking your pond.
Decking design
Materials for pond decking
Prior to planning any decking around or near a pond you need to investigate in what materials to use, both in terms of getting a durable deck construction as well as protecting the pond itself (especially if you are to have living things in it).
Here are some thoughts to consider when it comes to pond decking materials:
Treated wood
Wood that has been constructed with the purpose of withstanding wear and tear of water, algae, mold et c could be toxic if you plan to have fish or crustaceans later on.
Some treated woods will also deposit different kinds of salt which could also change the water chemistry.
Base construction materials
A concrete base or plinths can be affected by future erosion (in earthen ponds) and compromise parts of, or the entire, construction.
Wooden bases can also change in size due to water saturation and in time rot away.
Screws, bolts and fittings (metal)
Any metal that makes up the construction needs to have the right protection and design. Else it will in time rust and lose its integrity. Also screws or bolts can be pushed out as the wood changes between being saturated with water or dries up.
There are different ways of avoiding your pond deck from failing or damaging the wildlife. Further below we present an example of how we plan our future pond deck construction.