Composite Decking: The Top Choice For Style and Durability

Decking is a common choice for homeowners when it comes to updating their outdoor space. If you are considering composite decking to build your new deck, give thought to the tips below to help you choose the best fit your budget needs.

Establish Your Budget

The decking products you choose will depend largely on your budget and garden. If you only have a small amount of money to spend, composite decking is the best option.

There are lots of additional costs to take into consideration when planning your budget such as; delivery charges, garden waste removal, weed proofing, purchasing tools, labour costs, maintenance costs and the overall value it may add to your home.

Choose The Style

When it comes to style, choose composite decking. Composite boards are available in a variety of colours and styles such as; capped or uncapped, grooved or un grooved, solid or hollow and shades such as Grey, Brown and Red. These variations help make it easier to create a deck that is in line with your home and or garden furniture’s colour scheme.

Determine Your Needs

Composite decking materials are available in different thicknesses and have different load tolerance levels. Some composite decking are retractable and folding, which might be something to consider if you have limited space for storage.

Determine What Features You Want

Do you need composite decking boards that are flame resistant? Composite wood is made from recycled plastic and wood timber, so it is naturally resistant to fire. Composite boards are specifically designed to be slip resistant too, so if the composite decking materials you choose have a textured surface, your stairs will be safer, less slippery and easier to climb.

Determine The Location Of Composite Decking Boards

You also need to consider where composite decking materials will be installed. For example, if your composite decking material is being installed in an outside space, such as around a pool, you will need composite decking that is safe for wet conditions and is weather resistant. By way of extra protection, hardwood decking is also UV resistant, so will not fade when exposed to the sun.

It is not a safe option to use plastic decking boards near pools, as the water can make the composite decking slippery and highly dangerous.

Estimate How Much Composite Deck Boards You Need

Once you establish your budget and determine what features you need in composite decking, it is time to determine how much composite materials you require.

To determine the amount of decking material needed for your project, multiply the length x width of your composite decking boards and times the composite wood’s thickness, to give you the total volume in cubic feet.

Let’s say that you are building decking with composite boards that are 1″ in thickness and 8” long. To determine the number of boards needed, you would multiply 8” x 1″ x 7.5 cu. ft./1 cu.ft., which equals 60 cubic feet of composite decking material needed for this sized project.

Ask Around

Your decking supplier should be able to help you determine which composite decking materials and composite decking accessories best fit your budget whilst taking into consideration the style and location, without sacrificing quality or durability.

Composite deck builders will also know what decking is suitable for different environments, so be sure to ask them for advice when helping you make the perfect choice.

Ask around and see what other people have used and the composite decking materials they chose. This way you will be able to determine which decking best fits your budget needs and help you plan your garden deck. Some traditional wood decking builders will have composite decks they have built in their portfolio, and may even provide you with an installation guide, which you can use to determine which wooden boards to choose for your garden deck.

Do Your Research

Before choosing composite decking and all the fixings, do your research. Composite decking is not always made equally during the manufacturing process.

Quality manufacturers offer different boards that are environmentally friendly, low maintenance, stain resistant, hard wearing, with an easyclean edge and offers the perfect finishing touch to your outdoor space.

If you are unsure and require help in choosing the highest quality, hardwood decking, contact us here at Tradestore.

Consider Maintenance

Are you looking for wood decking that is low maintenance? Composite decking is made from reclaimed wood plastic composite, making them environmentally friendly and durable.

There are many options available for maintaining and protecting your decking too, such as stain cover. This offers weather resistance protection and can help prevent composite decking rot, providing the perfect mix to avoid composite decking fade and composite decking warp.

Good Tips

• Before installation, avoid adverse weather conditions. This will prevent the wood from developing a musty smell and can make composite decking expand.

• Store decking on a flat level surface before installation and cover the composite decking boards as per the composite decking manufacturers specifications.

• Don’t cut or install the decking straight away because once they acclimatise, they may shrink or swell.

• Before installing your decking, make sure to place composite skirting along the perimeter of the composite deck. Composite skirting will help prevent dirt and debris from rotting the composite decking.

• Don’t use composite deck boards that are warped or twisted, as they can create an uneven surface and could cause injury.

• Composite decking should be installed only after the composite decking installation area has been cleaned and prepared properly, in the outside space. Allow the decking boards to acclimatise before installation and remove any boards that shift out of position within six hours.

• Composite wood does not splinter like natural wood and can be cleaned with hot soapy water.

• Composite decking should be at least 5/4” in thickness, as they provide better support and reduce the chances of them bowing or warping, as the boards absorb temperature and moisture.

• Composite decking should have a textured surface to make it slip resistant in a garden.

• Choose a classic range of composite decking boards that are durable and long lasting according to your budget.

• Non degradable composite decking products that are manufactured from recycled plastics and recycled wood, prevent pooling of water around the composite deck installation area.

• Composite decking should only be installed in composite decking installation areas that have a composite base designed specifically for composite decking materials.

• Make sure to use composite specific tools and composite decking accessories when installing your clean composite decking boards.

• Do not choose composite decking or composite products to cover concrete or asphalt surfaces.

Summary

To enjoy your deck boards all year around, choose quality wood plastic composite decking that is low maintenance and offers durability.