Summary
• Combining timber with other materials will be fashionable in 2008.
• Design-led products will offer greater sales opportunities.
• The smoking ban will begin to have more effect on garden product sales this year.

With the first cuckoos of Spring about to flutter over the horizon, the prime UK gardening season is virtually upon us. And for many green-fingered consumers the first job of the year will be readying the garden ‘infrastructure’, laying decking and erecting pergolas, gazebos, arches and arbours.

Choosing the right colour and style is a key part of this and can help a garden bloom. So what is the market expecting to see blossom in 2008?

“The garden product industry is still thriving from the influence of garden makeover television shows and consumers are looking at gardens from a lifestyle perspective, seeing them as an extra room rather than just an outdoor space for hanging out washing or for children to play in,” said Martin Cunliffe, buying manager at Travis Perkins.

As ever, the spring market will benefit from many new products. For example, M&M Timber Ltd has launched a range including the Garden Qube gazebo, Combi Deck recessed deck board and special access picnic tables for wheelchair users. Forest Garden‘s new Byron Corner Summerhouse “offers the ultimate in flexibility”, with custom-placed windows and doors. Vivid Green has launched a new version of its Penthouse garden office, which uses a timber frame and structural insulated panels to create a “stimulating, modern garden room designed for work, rest and play”. And Rowlinson Garden Products has launched the Sheraton Corner Arbour and Bin Store garden storage solution to meet consumer demand.

Time-travelling timber

Liverpool-based MDL Timber has even taken garden products into the realms of science fiction with its plywood version of Dr Who’s Tardis time travel machine.

Rowlinson said that the “fusion of timber and metal” will be “one of the key fashions on 2008”. This is reflected in its Sheraton product, which combines metallic grey powder-coated steel and hardwood.

“Outdoor living products that combine timber with metal are continuing to prove popular amongst homeowners, as shown by trends in the garden furniture market last year,” said sales and marketing manager Paul Taylor.

“This also reflects the wider market demand for new and inspirational products that introduce more unusual materials alongside timber to give consumers exciting new choices in the garden.”

M&M Timber’s Combi Deck is another product that combines timber and other materials to create an “ultra modern look”, using a mitred frame battened on the base to accept a standard size paving stone.

“Consumers are looking for more choice and certainly utilising more metal and glass in their decks rather than just timber balustrading,” confirmed Bryan Crennell, marketing manager at BSW Timber, which markets the Timeless Timber range.

Decking developments

“The early adopters of decking are also extending and improving their decks with multi-levels, new balustrading, hot tubs and other elements, which means a dynamic change in the market,” he added.

John Brash and Co Ltd said that multi-level decks would become more important for the market as customers look to take advantage of their outside space. “Many decks are being created with multi-levels, where each level functions as a different ‘room’,” the company said. “One could have a seating or picnic area, another could house a spa or swimming pool.”

This would necessitate a growth in anti-slip decking, according to John Brash, which is predicting strong sales of its JB Antislip Plus range in 2008.

Simon Hill, UK sales and marketing manager for German building products firm Werzalit, expects the market for composite decking to grow as customers become more aware of the range of products available.

Werzalit has introduced decking, terraZa, made from S2, a composite of plastic and wood that it claims can be milled, drilled and sawn, left untreated, and recycled. The range includes traditional terrace profiles and the recently launched 44x44mm decking tiles that offer “new design options”.

“With the introduction of the decking tiles to our range, we are increasingly looking to develop relationships with distributors in the UK,” said Mr Hill.

High-end products

Richard Burbidge Ltd said that “high-end, design-led products”, such as balustrades, would play an important part in the market as they satisfy both those looking to “improve not move” and/or renovate gardens before putting their property on the market.

“The desire of homeowners to make design statements outdoors has been seen in the popularity of abstract garden ornaments and minimalist furniture,” said Richard Burbidge decking product manager Zubda Hussain. “This looks set to continue in the decking market, with consumers looking for striking balustrade systems that allow them to enjoy stylish living space.”

Other styles and trends set to influence the garden products market include the growth in log cabins, the move towards low maintenance, ensuring compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act and environmental concerns and certification.

“There has been a significant growth in enquiries about using decking for ramps following disabled access legislation,” said Mr Crennell.

Forest Garden added that its range of carbon neutral products, including the Caledonian Decking and Caledonian Raised Beds, will be “extremely popular”.

“We’re particularly proud of the products developed with the carbon neutral range and initial feedback suggests they are going to be extremely popular,” said chief executive Jonathan Halford.

The smoking ban also continues to drive designs and trends. “We expect 2008 to be the year when its full effects hit home,” said Zubda Hussain.