Adding a deck to your outside area, either as a ground-level, raised decked platform or as a balcony, is a fantastic way to make use of your outdoor space. However, with the broad range of materials available on the market for decking, how do you know which is the best one to go for?
Which is better, composite decking or natural wood decking? In this article, we take a look at all the aspects you will need to know when making a decking choice, including the pros and cons of the increasingly popular wood-plastic composite boards as a decking material.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF
COMPOSITE DECKING
Cladco’s composite decking comprises our Signature and ProDeck ranges. They are an environmentally friendly decking material manufactured from an amalgamation of 60% FSC-accredited hardwood fibres and 40% recycled plastics, together with bonding agents and different coloured tints.
While the Signature composite decking board possesses excellent resistance to rotting, splintering and warping, the ProDeck composite decking board range features a polymer-capped surface, which provides superior stain resistance, mould resistance, as well as zero water absorption.
If you are looking to add a composite deck to your property, you will want to know if this kind of deck material is really worth it - does it have the same or any additional benefits as traditional timber? Will it bring added investment to your garden?
Composite decking offers a vast amount of beneficial properties when compared to other traditional decking materials on the market, these include:
Less maintenance - Composite decks do not require regular sanding, painting, sealing or varnishing as wood or lumber decking would.
UV resistant - Composite wood-plastic boards have an increased resistance to fading when exposed to UV in comparison to natural wood decks.
Low-slip - When installed with the narrow groove side up, composite boards have a lower slip risk than treated lumber boards.
Low absorption rate - whilst composite wood boards are not waterproof, they absorb less water than a traditional deck board or wood products would
Composite decking is stain and scratch-resistant, keeping your garden deck looking brand new for years to come.
Composite products are rot, splinter and warp resistant.
Composite decking products are available in a range of colours, from lightly coloured deck boards to darker, more contemporary finishes.
Calculate the cost and number of boards and fixings you may need using the Cladco Composite Decking Calculator.
PROS OF COMPOSITE DECKING BOARDS
LONGEVITY: YOUR DECKING WILL LAST
Unlike pressure-treated timber, composite decking is built to withstand more severe weather conditions. It resists fading from prolonged UV exposure, prevents mould growth in wet weather, and remains more stable in colder temperatures, expanding and contracting far less than traditional wood decks. Best of all, it delivers this performance without the need for regular treatments or additional protective coatings.
The plastic composite material used in the boards also provides resistance to insect damage, including issues like woodworm and beetle infestation.
DURABILITY: LESS MAINTENANCE
One of the main benefits of owning a composite outdoor deck is the low-maintenance properties of the boards, allowing you more time to sit back and relax in your garden rather than staining, treating, sanding or painting your decking year in and year out.
Stained, natural, and pressure-treated pine decks require regular maintenance to ensure the natural wood retains its high-quality look, but even with this, they are still susceptible to cracking, splintering, rotting, and warping as time goes by, which can be dangerous, especially to homes with small children and animals.
Learn more about how to care for and maintain composite decking here.
STYLE & COLOUR: CREATE STYLISH OUTDOOR SPACES
One of the key advantages of plastic-wood composite compared to wood deck products is the wide range of colours they are available in. Cladco’s Signature composite decking comes in a variety of eight colours with a reversible design that allows you to choose from two finish options, a low-slip surface or natural woodgrain effect, providing you with a high level of both flexibility and choice when it comes to styling your outdoor space. The ProDeck range of composite decking boards also features a reversible design and comes in seven natural tones.
Wood composite decks can be stylised in contrasting or complementary colours and designs. Match your decking to your home in neutral, grey shades, or alternatively finish your decking with different coloured bullnose boards to create a picture frame effect or multicoloured patterns.
ECO-FRIENDLY: THE GREEN CHOICE
For some, the sustainability of their purchases and choice of materials is important to them for environmental reasons. Cladco composite deck boards are made with 100% recycled materials, made up of 60% FSC-accredited hardwood fibres alongside 40% recycled plastics. This not only makes Cladco boards a more sustainable choice, but the wood-plastic composition makes for greater durability within their structure when compared to other natural lumber materials.
The low-maintenance properties of composite materials mean products require no regular staining or varnishing, therefore not releasing harsh toxins into the environment during annual maintenance.
Find out more about our environmental policy here.
CONS OF COMPOSITE DECKING BOARDS
PRICE: UP-FRONT COST IS HIGHER
Composite is not the cheapest decking material available on the market and is typically more expensive than its wood decking counterparts. This higher cost is largely due to the additional man-hours, production processes, and recycled materials required to manufacture a high-quality product. Manufacturers of composite decking also tend to have increased overheads compared to wood or treated lumber deck suppliers.
However, the additional benefits of composite materials make up for the initial financial outlay of a composite deck. The product may be slightly more expensive, but its range of benefits, including low maintenance, fade, scratch, and insect resistance, far outweighs cheaper wooden decking boards in the long run.
PROPERTY VALUE: MATERIAL MAKES NO DIFFERENCE
Decking can boost your property's value by extending the perceived amount of usable living space, making your home more appealing to potential buyers.
While a well-designed deck can add value to your property by enhancing usable outdoor space, it's the presence of the deck itself, not necessarily the material it's made from, that influences resale value. Composite decking offers long-term benefits for homeowners, but these advantages may not significantly increase the overall property price.
PERMANENT COLOURS: NO REPAINTING
When it is time for you to consider the colour for your composite deck, it needs to be a choice you are 100% happy with, as once installed, the colour cannot easily be changed. Composite products are permanently coloured to help prevent fading and reduce maintenance. Darker colours such as greys, browns, and blacks may not be easy to modify if you're wanting a different colour down the line.
Composite decking colours can be altered slightly with sun bleaching or by applying certain harsh chemicals, although this is not recommended.
Composite decking colours can be altered slightly with sun bleaching, or by applying certain harsh chemicals - although this is not recommended.
FADING: DARKER COMPOSITE COLOURS CAN FADE OVER TIME
Like anything which is exposed to the elements 24 hours a day for several years, some fading of colours is unavoidable. The most notable fading will come from the darker shades of composite materials.
This could be encouraged by several factors, including UV rays, weathering, high footfall, sun lotions or other chemicals being spilt on the deck.
The higher the quality of the material, the less likely the boards are to fade. Cladco’s Signature composite decking and ProDeck composite decking have built-in UV-resistant properties to help prevent fading over time.
LOOK: CAN LACK THE REAL WOOD LOOK
One of the pros of composite decking can also be seen as a con, which is the real wood look of the boards. While composite decking products have been designed to reflect the look and feel of authentic wood, as with most things man-made, this cannot be achieved entirely.
Thanks to the recycled wood fibres within the boards' composition, they still have a subtle natural look, especially our ProDeck and Signature composite decking boards. This realistic effect is only magnified if you opt for a natural wood colour, such as Teak, Rosewood, Olive Green or Redwood.
IS COMPOSITE DECKING WORTH IT?
To decide if composite decking is worth it, first, you must determine what it is you want from a deck.
Composite deck boards are low-maintenance, low-slip, insect and fade-resistant and should not fade, warp, splinter or rot - ensuring your deck boards will stay looking high-quality for many years to come. All you need to do is choose the colour or finish, install, sit back and relax.
Our composite decking boards are available in either 4m or 2.4m lengths and various colours.
Quality issues with composite decking are few and far between, whereas natural wood deck boards require high levels of aftercare and have more cons than those of composite decking.
For more information about Cladco composite decking or to generate a quote for your project, take a look at our decking calculator or contact a member of our friendly Sales Team on 01837 659901.
