Striking decked courtyard for Henlow Academy

At Henlow Church of England Academy, anti-slip smooth decking was used to create a visually striking, low-maintenance and slip-resistant courtyard area, along with matching planters and seating.

The narrow courtyard was a substantial area to fill, and PCMS Design created a distinctive landscape with a striped appearance, alternating between smooth timber decking and grey resin or natural turf. The different materials provided contrast in colour and texture, and the visual lines were further enhanced with planters and seating made from the timber decking boards.

The decking supplier worked closely with PCMS Design to provide support throughout the project, helping with product selection and procured samples of the decking – including enough to enable builders to mock-up one of the benches in advance.

Anti-slip decking was specified due to its slip resistant properties, which were particularly important for the space as children will be using it to run and play.

The Use Class 3 preservative treated European Redwood decking was also selected for its durability and long lifespan. 

When specifying, select anti-slip profiled timber decking with an independently tested PTV (Pendulum Test Value) of 36 of more which equates to an ex-factory low slip potential rating.