FAQs

Read Our Frequently Asked Questions below -

General -


Q. What areas do you deliver to?

A. Local deliveries across Staffordshire and Shropshire are free to customers spending £200 or more while smaller deliveries can be organised for £15. Further afield it is free for orders over £350 and nationwide delivery can be arranged.

Q. Where can I find your prices?

A. As many of our products are made to measure, we can only offer you an estimate for certain products. However, our general price lists are available to download in PDF format here.

Q. What are your opening times?

A. Please see our Contact Us page for our current opening times. 

Q. The product I want is out of stock, what should I do?

A. Please send us an enquiry or give us a call to see if we have the items you want in stock.

Q. I have ordered an item but have not received it, what should I do?

A. If it is past the expected delivery time there may be an issue. Contact our team to find out more about your delivery issues.

Q. Do you have car parking facilities?

A. Yes, we have ample on-site parking in a secure area.

Q. I’m not too sure what I want, will your staff be able to help me?

A. Absolutely, our team feature many decking and fencing experts who often perform work on-site. Feel free to ask us anything while you’re here.

Q. How do I apply for a job?

A. Please send us a CV if you are interested in working for us.

Q. Do you sell gifts?

A. Yes! We have a wide range of gifts for the special garden lovers in your life such as lanterns, log baskets and novelty animal doorstops.

Q. Where are you based?

A. Weston Sawmill is based in Weston-under-Lizard just off the A5, on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border.

 

Christmas Trees -

 

Q. What is the best kind of Christmas tree, if I have young children?

The Nordmann Christmas tree is a great option for families with young children because its needles are much softer.

Q. How long does a Nordmann fir Christmas tree last?

A. Nordman fir Christmas trees have one of the longest lifespans of any Christmas trees, typically lasting up to five weeks; making them ideal for the entire festive period.

Q. Do potted Christmas trees last longer?

A. We would recommend bringing your potted tree indoors as late possible. The weekend before Christmas is ideal, as it is advised not to keep living trees in your home longer than 12 days. As with most houseplants, it's the watering and maintenance that is the main thing.

 

  

Decking -

 

Q. What sizes of decking do you offer?

We offer decking that ranges from 3 metres to 4.8 metres.

Q. Should I consider balustrades for my decking?

Decking balustrades can offer a reassuring safety element to any raised edge, even when the level is quite low.

Increased demand for multi-level decking has, in turn, created more need for decking balustrades - especially for elderly people and families with young children.

Q. How Should I Avoid a Slippery Deck?

It is a common concern that decking can become slippy and unusable over time, however, there are simple ways to avoid this. 
We would recommend regularly cleaning decking, sweep to prevent trapped moisture followed by a jet wash or hose down. You can also treat your decking with anti-slip oil.

Q. Do I Need Planning Permission for Decking?

Most cases will not require planning permission. If you plan to deck more than half of your garden or the decking is more than 30cm off the ground we would recommend seeking advice from the planning department of your local council before getting in touch with us as you could need planning permission, building regulations approval or both.

Q. How Long Does Decking Last?

Hardwood or properly maintained softwood decking systems installed by Weston Sawmill to last upward of 25 years.

Q. Can I Have Decking with a Sloped Garden?

Decking is a great solution to garden issues such as drastic slopes. Weston Sawmill can make your decking entirely customised and if your garden is sloped we can give you a level area to enjoy your outdoors or give your garden a new purpose.

Q. How Do I Measure My Garden for Decking?

You will need to think about how much of your garden you want to cover with decking by measuring the size first. Mark out the area you want to deck and measure the size of the space in metres. If you have any structures you want your decking to go around, ensure this is marked out when planning the sizing for your new decking area.

Q. Why are There Gaps Between Decking Boards?

Swelling or expansion during condition change needs to be accounted for when installing a deck. Therefore decking boards need to be placed approximately 6-8mm apart which allows for water runoff and prevents the accumulation of dirt between boards. The gaps between the boards need to be taken into consideration, as wider boards are affected more by weather change than narrower boards.

 

Fencing - 

 

Q. How High Can My Fence Be?

The front of homes has permission from councils for up to one metre in height, sides and back of houses of up to 2 metres in height.

You can find average boundary regulations at your local council offices and you should always check their regulations as they can vary from borough to borough.

Q. Does the life-span of different types of fencing differ greatly?

A. Oak and chestnut products have a durable rating, for example, they can last over 20 years with ground contact. Most fencing is manufactured from softwood with a perishable rating of 2-5 years lifespan. With pressure-treating, this lifespan will be extended by up to 10-15 years.

Q. How do I calculate how many fence panels and posts I need?

A. The UK market is shifting towards pre-made fencing panel, which is usually 6 feet (72 inches) or 1.83 metres. Posts are 75mm or 100mm thick with each unit with a post being 1930mmm. Theoretically, if your fence is 100 metres long, you would need 52 panels.

 

Other Stock Items -

 

Q. What type of garden tools do you supply?

We stock different sizes of shovels, trowels and rakes as part of our garden tools range.

Q. Can I use wood as kindling?

It's a common misconception that wood can be used as kindling, but kindling is recommended for lighting any wood, cool or solid fuel fire.

Q. Why is Burning Wood Environmentally Friendly?

Burning wood is carbon-neutral. When trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide and generate oxygen which is essential for our planet's survival. When wood is burned or left to decay on the forest floor it releases the same amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Wood is a renewable energy source because it is an environmentally friendly fuel.

 

If you have any more questions you need answering, please contact us today.

Contact Us