Table of Contents
- 1 What is composite decking?
- 2 Composite vs timber decking
- 2.1 Reason 1: Composite decking needs very little maintenance.
- 2.2 Reason 2: Composite decking doesn’t rot, twist or warp like timber and termites don’t eat it!
- 2.3 Reason 3: Composite decking has invisible fastenings.
- 2.4 Reason 4: Because it’s man-made, composite decking boards come in standard lengths.
- 2.5 Reason 5: High quality composite decking comes with a long warranty period.
- 3 The disadvantages of composite decking
- 4 Which brand do we recommend?
- 5 Are you planning a new deck, pergola or verandah for your home?
If you are planning a new deck or pergola for your home, one of the first questions a builder will ask is “Do you want timber or composite decking?” Timber looks beautiful but it isn’t perfect. Read on to hear how we advise our customers.
What is composite decking?
Composite decking is a man-made cladding that is usually manufactured from recycled hard plastics, plastic bags, timber off-cuts and timber bi-products. As a result, this material offers a more sustainable option than timber.
Aesthetically, composite decking has come a long way in the last few years and it now comes in a wide range of colours, finishes and styles.
Composite vs timber decking
There are a number of reasons to choose composite decking over timber decking. Here are our top 5 reasons:
Reason 1: Composite decking needs very little maintenance.
Timber decks require annual sanding, oiling, staining or painting to keep them looking good. Compare this with composite decks which may only need a pressure wash or a light hose down with soapy water when they appear dirty.
Reason 2: Composite decking doesn’t rot, twist or warp like timber and termites don’t eat it!
Timber decks are vulnerable to all of these problems.
Reason 3: Composite decking has invisible fastenings.
This provides your deck with a really sleek, uninterrupted board profile. With a timber deck you will always see bolts, screws or nails.
Reason 4: Because it’s man-made, composite decking boards come in standard lengths.
This means there is less waste and your builder will be able to accurately order the right amount of subframe for your deck. Timber doesn’t provide this certainty.
Reason 5: High quality composite decking comes with a long warranty period.
This should give you peace of mind that your composite deck will outlast a timber option by decades!
The disadvantages of composite decking
We think there is only one disadvantage in using composite decking and that’s the price. A good quality composite decking material is usually more expensive than timber. But when you add in the faster build time, less waste, little maintenance and long-life, we think composite decking offers great value for money.
Which brand do we recommend?
When building decks and pergolas for our customers, we only use and recommend TREX composite decking. It’s made from 95% recycled materials and comes with a 25 year warranty. However, if you would love to use timber decking, we are happy to do this for you.
Are you planning a new deck, pergola or verandah for your home?
Please consider us because decks, pergolas and verandahs are all we do. We are licensed builders who provide a bespoke design service. We even take care of council approvals. Sustainability is our focus and every timber we use is endorsed by the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
