Forest 8 x 8 ft Patio Deck Kit With Pergola

What is the thickness of the decking boards?

Dear Richard Thank you for your question. The 2400mm x 120mm boards are 19mm thick. The deck boards are used side on to make the frame for the decking. Should you wish to contact us further or to place an order, please call us on 0121 355 7701. Thank you for using our online Q&A system. Kind regards Nathan James Dodd

Can this product be stained or painted?

Dear Ron Thank you for your question. Yes, it can be stained or painted. We would suggest either a Cuprinol or Ronseal outdoor wood paint. Should you wish to contact us further or to place an order, please call us on 0121 355 7701. Thank you for using our online Q&A system. Kind regards Nathan James Dodd

Can this decking and pergola be put straight onto grass or does it need a more solid base?

Dear Mrs Angeli Thank you for your question. It does need a flat, level surface. You can put it onto grass or soil, however we would advise locating the beams onto slabs or bricks or compacted gravel as over time without this the decking would sink into the ground. Should you wish to contact us further or to place an order, please call us on 0121 355 7701. Thank you for using our online Q&A system. Kind regards Marsha

The patio deck with pergola has a 8' x 8' deck with a 10' x 10' pergola, why a 2'gap between the two?

Dear Brian Thank you for your question. The pergola overhangs the decking, hence the difference in the dimensions. If you click on the black and white image showing the dimensions you will see what I mean. Should you wish to contact us further or to place an order, please call us on 0121 355 7701. Thank you for using our online Q&A system. Kind regards Marsha

Can the rails be placed along any side of the pergola and deck?

Dear Ryszard Thank you for your question. Yes, the rails can go either side. Should you wish to contact us further or to place an order, please call us on 0121 355 7701. Thank you for using our online Q&A system. Kind regards Zach Nicholson

Can the decking be built directly on soil? Or would some brick supports concreted into the ground be better to provide a small gap between the deck and the soil? Or do you have another suggestion?

Dear Ryszard Thank you for your question. Ideally do not locate the decking on soil as it could sink over time. The bearers should be on a hard standing surface such as compacted aggregate, mortared slabs or bricks. Should you wish to contact us further or to place an order, please call us on 0121 355 7701. Thank you for using our online Q&A system. Kind regards Lauren

Is it possible to buy a retracting canopy for this pergola?

Dear Deborah Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, we do not offer a canopy for this particular item. We do have other pergolas on our site that do include a canopy though such as the Rowlinson Verona Canopy: https://www.gardensite.co.uk/garden-buildings/rowlinson-verona-canopy.htm For our entire range please follow this link: https://www.gardensite.co.uk/Garden_Structures/Pergolas_and_Pergola_Shades/ Should you wish to contact us further or to place an order, please call us on 0121 355 7701. Thank you for using our online Q&A system. Kind regards Zach Nicholson

Can this deck kit be purchased without the half rail sides? Or is there an alternative of solid panels?

Dear Bronwen Thank you for your question. This product comes as a complete set including the decking, pergola and rails. You can only purchase the pergola on its own. See https://www.gardensite.co.uk/Garden_Structures/Pergolas_and_Pergola_Shades/ Should you wish to contact us further or to place an order, please call us on 0121 355 7701. Thank you for using our online Q&A system. Kind regards Nathan James Dodd

What sort of base would this need to be placed on and what size joists do I need?

Dear Robert Thank you for your question. We would recommend placing this item on a flat, concrete, slab or hard-standing base. The joists for this item come included and are placed under the base to prevent it from warping. Should you wish to contact us further or to place an order, please call us on 0121 355 7701. Thank you for using our online Q&A system. Kind regards Lauren

Would this decking be able to support the weight of a hot tub?

Dear David Thank you for your question. As this deck kit uses 19mm thick boards, and as long as the Hot Tub is positioned central over the frame supports underneath, then they are capable of holding a standard hot tub. If it's a heavy hot tub (wooden framed for example) then we would advise placing some extra planks of wood inside the base in between the standard support beams, just to help distribute the weight of the boards and hot tub on top. You would also need to ensure that you have a flat, level and hardstanding area to install the deck kit onto. As if installed over grass or soil which is prone to getting water clogged, then the structure could sink over time. Should you wish to contact us further or to place an order, please call us on 0121 355 7701. Thank you for using our online Q&A system. Kind regards Andy

Is there any chance the pergola might blow over in strong winds?

Dear Bill Thank you for your question. Due to the pergola's weight, we would say that it is very unlikely that it will blow over. Should you wish to contact us further or to place an order, please call us on 0121 355 7701. Thank you for using our online Q&A system. Kind regards Lauren

Please can you let me know what size the packaging is when delivered?

Dear Katherine Thank you for your question. The packaging dimensions are: 256cm x 78cm x 38cm. Should you wish to contact us further or to place an order, please call us on 0121 355 7701. Thank you for using our online Q&A system. Kind regards Lauren

What are the sizes of the four uprights and the cross beams? Is the decking supported underneath by cross beams? What gap is required between each deck board to stop buckling or warping?

Dear Stuart Thank you for your question. Each upright is 2400mm long with a cross-section of 95mm x 95mm. The five rafters are 3050mm long with a cross-section of 95mm (deep) x 47.5mm (thick). The decking is assembled onto a base made up of deckboards, spaced 446mm apart (see assembly process in attached instructions). Again, referring to the instructions the perimeter of the base is made up from four deckboards so of the width of the base across which the deckboards are laid is 2400mm plus the 28mm thickness of one of the deckboards. The 20 deckboards that are laid on the base are 120mm wide so total width is 120 x 20 = 2400mm. That gives a spare 28mm across the 20 boards for expansion. When the boards are laid out it is best to lay them all first before fixing them with screws so that this 28mm spacing can be used evenly across the boards. Please refer to: https://www.gardensite.co.uk/pdfs/forest-8x8-patio-deck-and-pergola-instructions-97e038aaa19d2dbd141a1c4f82634e36.pdf Should you wish to contact us further or to place an order, please call us on 0121 355 7701. Thank you for using our online Q&A system. Kind regards Lauren

Does this only come with two side handrails? If so, can another be purchased?

Dear Tracey Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, this item is already pre-packed with the shown materials and extra handrails cannot be provided. Should you wish to contact us further or to place an order, please call us on 0121 355 7701. Thank you for using our online Q&A system. Kind regards Lauren