Project Overview
We recently completed this Jatoba hardwood deck on the beachfront at Swanage, Dorset.
The deck sits directly above the shoreline, with open sea views across Swanage Bay towards the town and headland beyond. Jatoba is one of the hardest hardwoods available for outdoor use, and as it weathers it takes on the silver-grey tone visible in the summer photos. The colour change is natural and expected with Jatoba in coastal exposure. The timber retains its structural integrity throughout.
A stainless steel and frameless glass balustrade runs along the seaward edge. The glass panels keep the view completely unobstructed from the deck, with coastal planting and red hot pokers flowering in the borders around the structure in summer.
The Right Timber for a Coastal Site
Jatoba is dense, hard-wearing, and well suited to exposed coastal positions. It handles salt air and wet conditions better than softer hardwoods and does not require the same level of maintenance to remain structurally sound.
As it weathers, the surface colour shifts from the deep reddish-brown of freshly oiled timber to a more silver-grey tone. This is normal for Jatoba left to weather naturally outdoors. The grain and character of the timber remain visible throughout that process.
For a site with this level of exposure, it was the right material choice.
A Glass Balustrade That Stays Out of the Way
The balustrade uses stainless steel posts with frameless toughened glass panels clamped between them. There is no top rail. The result is a barrier that provides full perimeter safety at the seaward edge without placing anything solid between the deck and the view.
Stainless steel handles coastal conditions without corroding under normal circumstances. The frameless glass design means there are no horizontal rails to collect salt residue or obstruct sightlines. From the deck, the water and the bay are the only thing in front of you
Project Image Gallery
This decking installation was completed in Swanage, Dorset
At Minster Decking, we work on a wide variety of decking projects within Dorset and Hampshire. From design, installation, repairs, maintenance and replacement - we have you covered.
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