What Is The Difference Between Various Types Of Composite Decking

These uncapped boards will not rot, but can fail if not watertight. Our Resortdeck boards use Ultrashiled technology to achieve this capping with a premium performance and natural finish. Well solid boards are available and quite often offered as the premium or most expensive versions of a composite decking range. Solid boards are often marketed for more commercial use, for use in areas with higher pedestrian traffic. While standing up to the increased footfall solid boards do have issues. This goes back to temperature changes a factor we experience to the greatest agree in the UK.

A lot of people confuse plastic with composite decking, but there’s a few key differences. Composite boards are made by combining polymers with real wood, making them hybrid, or ‘semi-synthetic’ if you will. In this article, we’ll just be comparing plastic with wood. Composite decking is for another day, and another blog article. When using non-capped boards, make sure they have a deep non-slip grain or ribbed texture. Check the boards are made from high density plastic products and hardwood fibres.

Decking Life Spans And Maintenance

Wood decking is extremely slippy and hazardous, in the main due to the growth of algae and moss which needs to be regularly treated to keep under control. Mother nature’s elements including the Sun are very powerful, enough to break atoms apart. The biggest question is how much maintenance is really needed when comparing wood and composite decking.

This will keep the board safe and one that will last for years to come. You will need to keep all deck areas clean, but capped and high grade composites are always recommended to reduce the amount of maintenance needed. The capping also enables a wood grained effect decking to be an effective nonslip deck. Natural wood decking and composite boards that absorb moisture become slippy in wet weather. It actually is not the surface water that makes the surface slippy, it’s the slimy algae and moss growth from decks that are saturated with moisture that becomes a slip hazard.

Ultra Decking

A lot of customer feedback on the internet or even speaking to friends on occasion is that composite decking lacks that natural authentic wood look, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The photo images of Ultra Decking’s entire range can be viewed on their website clearly showing a quality natural wood look. Composite decking doesn’t require anywhere near the same maintenance and upkeep of regular wood. However, it does require some maintaining with a soft brush and a regular hose down 3-4 times a year. Assuming this is performed you will experience no structural strength problems with either a hollow or solid composite decking board. Installing a new composite deck is a big investment for many homeowners. Performing due diligence and research will help you get this right the first time around.

• Not only is it less susceptible to rot or damage that would require further repairs or work, but it also retains its appearance a lot better than hardwood.
• There can be no doubt that wood is going to have a significant lifetime but compared to composite wood plastic it’s nowhere near as strong.
• However, many of our clients simply prefer the look and feel of real wood, or the luxury of a hardwood deck.
• Composite decking will keep the same look and colour for longer without the need for ongoing maintenance, so if you would like a hassle-free deck this is the better choice.
• The durable properties of composite wood plastic also mean that composite decking requires less maintenance than wood.

Wood-polymer decking is made up of wood fibres, plastics and a small number of bonding agents. At EnviroBuild, all these materials are environmentally friendly. Our wood is recycled and a 100% FSC certified, also the High-Density Polyethylene used in our boards are recycled. One key factor to keep in your mind is the quality of the composite decking you purchase.

It’s this strength that makes our popular so popular with consumers, builders, landscapers and architects. It enables buyers to have a material that can take more weight, resist harsh weather conditions and be incredibly strong but easy to work with. Read on to find out why, or click here to order a free sample of our own composite wood decking. A good rule of thumb, the cheaper the wood the more maintenance, time and shorter its life span will be. Composite decking will cost between £25 to £80 per sqm and upwards depending on the quality, design and core strength.

Wood Decking Vs Plastic Wood Decking

Some fading will occur over the service life of your new composite decking. Key considerations to minimise UV fading is the quality of the raw materials and the manufacturing processes used to produce the composite decking boards. Ultra-Decking’s composite decking range is the intelligent and smart choice for discerning customers. Both composite and timber woods are a good environmental choice. Most wood that comes into the UK and Europe is from sustainable forests. Composite decking is even greener being manufactured using recycled plastics and wood. This has a huge impact helping to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, is better for our environment and helps to reduce landfill waste.

By eliminating moisture in the board using capping the Better it acts as a non slip surface. All our products are made from 60% recycled hardwood 35% HDPE plastics, and a 5% blend of stabilisers, colourings and activators.

Composite Decking

Wood Vs Composite Decking

The cost of timber decking boards depends on the type of wood – softwood decking is considerably cheaper than both hardwood decking and most composite decking options. Hardwood decking is more similar in price to composite decking. Kedel's Recycled Plastic Decking and Lumber Profiles will last even longer than wood plastic composite and at least 5 times longer than treated timber decking. Generally speaking, plastic decking is cheaper than composite wood. If you’re looking to deck out your garden for the lowest possible price, plastic deck boards will likely make the smaller dent in your bank balance – at least to begin with. Composite decking – also known as wood plastic composite decking – is made by blending synthetic materials with natural wood fibre. Whichever you choose, it’s important to do your homework and make sure you get the best possible quality at the best possible price.