Hmm, well that depends - if you need a raised platform beneath, and steps, for instance, its not that easy, but a good book should show you how. I certainly wouldn't attempt it though, where I would do paving without any trouble.

The house we moved into had decking on the patio in winter it was so slippery and the slugs love it as they hide under it I ripped all decking up and paved it, I will be using the decking for raised beds for plants and the allotment area.

Seems like it depends where you are, Love decking, and it is really easy. Make sure you have everything level and lay the wood, easy as pie.

I'd never choose decking if I had any other option - it is slimy when wet, and the grooves collect all kind of rubbish - but sometimes, it's a good solution, for instance when the back door is 4 feet above the garden, a deck is the answer.

i would never have decking again. we had rats nesting under it. plus we have to re stain every year, give me paving every time

Our decking is high because our back door is up high so our decking is well used and brilliant. Our decking has never been slimy or slippery and thats the truth, it is the best thing in our garden, I have lots of pots on it with bulbs and shrubs, a table and chairs and we sit out there most of the summer. The best thing is breakfast in the early morning fresh air, lovely.

Laying decking is quite easy we did ours a few years ago see my photos and we have never had any problems Buy tanalised timber and you will not have to treat for at least 15 years and shop at local timber merchants they will be much cheaper than the big diy stores also an electric mite saw is very useful for cutting the joists

Grandmage, your situation is exactly what I meant - there, decking is a good solution. Perhaps yours is south facing and in sun most of the year - the slime problem is only an issue on decks which are in shade during winter.

Actually Bamboo our back faces North and is shady all year!! We dont like the hot sun to sit in. Truly we haven't had any probs. with it.

Well you must be lucky then - two of my friends have north facing decks (for the same reasons, high up back door) and they're an absolute nightmare by January - slimy, mossy, yukky.

How strange Bamboo, we have had ours for a good ten years now and it is perfect.