What is Composite Decking? Benefits and Uses
Composite decking isn’t a new home improvement product, but its quality shows exactly why it’s a great choice for updating outdoor spaces.
Due to this, many homeowners across the UK are swapping out their old wooden decking for a trendy composite decking area (and you’ll find out why in just a few moments). With composite decking rising in popularity, it makes you wonder, ‘What is so good about it?’
Today, we’ll answer all of your questions, explain the benefits and uses of composite decking, and show you how it can completely transform your garden or patio space.
What is Composite Decking?
Composite decking is a sleek, durable, and modern material that’s been man-made by combining two or more materials with different chemical and physical build-ups.
It’s designed to mimic the appearance of natural wood, offering an affordable and eco-friendly alternative for people looking to add class and beauty to their garden. Plus, with a variety of colours and grain patterns to choose from, you won’t be able to tell the difference!
Composite decking comes in two main types:
● Capped composite: These boards have a protective outer shell that increases resistance against fading, staining, and scratches.
● Uncapped composite: While more affordable, these don’t have a protective outer shell, requiring more maintenance and offering less resistance to staining.
How is it Made?
Composite decking is designed to mimic wood, so it only makes sense that it’s made from recycled wood fibres, plastic composite, and additives.
These are combined with bonding agents for a long-lasting finish. The wood fibres are often collected from sawdust or wood chips, while the plastics include high-density polyethene (HDPE) or recycled polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The addition of pigments and UV stabilisers helps to mimic the natural composition of wood, resulting in a brown pigment that can handle frequent UV exposure.
Once the materials and additives are blended and heated to a molten state, they are fed into a specialised extruder to shape the boards for decking. Here, textures can be ingrained into the boards to create a grain pattern, adding to its realism.
A co-extrusion method adds the protective shell around the boards. Then, they are cooled and solidified using water baths, shaped, and cut to varying lengths (typically 2.4 m to 4.8 m).
At WPS Handrails, our composite decking is made from 95% recycled materials and features a 3D wood grain effect. We also offer solid and hollow decking, meeting all of our customers' needs.
Different Types of Composite Decking
Not only does composite decking differ in tone, colour, and grain pattern, but there are also different types available:
Solid Composite Decking
Solid composite decking, such as our PROCAP Deck Board, is dense and heavy. It’s also highly durable and can support substantial weight, making it perfect for high-traffic areas.
This makes it a popular choice for football grounds, commercial buildings, and patio areas in homes. Its quieter underfoot feature provides a more natural touch and absorbs sound, which is perfect for homes with noisy children.
Hollow Composite Decking
Hollow composite decking, such as our ECOBOARD Hollow Board, is more lightweight with a hollow core.
This is designed with 30% less material, making it more suited to balconies, residential gardens, and small football grounds. These are more durable and sturdy than traditional decking, but they offer a little less support than solid boards.
What are the Uses of Composite Decking?
With a range of finishes, tones, and designs, composite decking is the perfect choice for patios, garden terraces, and rooftop decking areas.
Its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, high levels of sun exposure, and frequent use make it ideal for high-traffic areas. If your garden is looking a little drab, adding composite decking boards before summer can liven it up and turn it into the perfect lounge area, BBQ station, or outdoor dining area.
Although composite decking is great for the home, it can also be used in various ways in commercial settings.
Residential applications
- Lounging, dining, and entertainment areas for patios, decks, and gazebos.
- Seating areas on balconies.
- Outdoor lounges and gathering spots for roof terraces.
- Flooring and platforms for hot tubs.
- Raised garden beds for plants.
Commercial applications
- Outdoor dining areas for pubs, restaurants, and cafes.
- Public walkways and viewing platforms in parks.
- Pool decks, outdoor lounges, and spa areas in hotels and resorts.
Side note: Besides flooring, composite decking boards can also be used to create modern and durable fences, cladding for exterior walls, or building custom furniture (such as benches, tables, and planters) for the garden!
How Long Does Composite Decking Last?
Typically, composite bonding lasts between 25 and 30 years, given that it’s regularly maintained and is treated with care.
This impressive lifespan is one of the many reasons people are switching from traditional wooden decking to composite boards (and we don’t blame them!) However, this expected lifespan can also vary depending on the quality of the brand and how well it’s installed.
If you want to get the most out of your purchase, opt for a higher-grade composite that is more resilient to harsh weather, temperature changes, and high moisture levels. Capped boards are also highly recommended to prevent moisture damage, staining, and fading.
We also recommend calling an experienced builder to install your composite decking if you want to avoid costly mistakes.
A Comparison Between Wood and Composite Decking
|
Feature |
Composite Decking |
Wood |
|
Maintenance |
Low |
High |
|
Average lifespan |
25-30 years |
10-15 years |
|
Rot and insect resistance |
High |
Low |
|
Cost |
Higher |
Lower |
|
Long-term cost |
Low (occasional maintenance) |
Higher (frequent maintenance) |
The Benefits of Composite Decking
While wood is often the first go-to choice for garden decking, composite decking is becoming increasingly popular due to its exceptional strength, lifespan, and beauty.
- Low maintenance: It only requires occasional cleaning with soapy water to keep it looking sparkling and good as new.
- Highly resistant: iI’s naturally resistant to rot, mould, pests, and UV damage, so it doesn’t require additional sealing or staining.
- Weather-resistant: Composite is designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, protecting it from water damage, splintering, and shrinking from high temperatures.
- Slip-resistant surface: As UK weather can often make grounds slippery, composite decking has a textured surface for extra grip. This reduces the risk of falls in damp conditions.
- Long-term savings: Composite costs more upfront than wood; however, less maintenance, repairs, and replacements are required, helping you save in the long run.
- Eco-friendly: composite decking is made from reclaimed wood and recycled plastic, reducing landfill waste and lowering the demand for virgin timber.
- Fade and stain resistance: The protective outer layer on capped boards shields against UV rays, preventing fading and discolouration from food, drinks, oils, etc.
- Wide range of designs: From natural wood tones to modern greys, composite decking is available in a range of styles for different homes. This can also add value to your property when selling.
Discover Composite Decking For Your Home Today
Are you ready to upgrade your outdoor space with durable and stylish composite decking?
If so, we have everything you need here at WPS Handrails. Explore our range of premium and stylish decking options today at great prices, allowing you to completely reinvent your outdoor space.
Whether you’re designing a garden lounge, a cosy balcony, or an outdoor cafe area, we have the perfect solution to bring your vision to life.