Composite decking - options?
Discussion
I'm looking at laying a deck right outside our bi-fold doors. I've laid a couple previously but they've always been softwood decks and to be honest, I find they look worn after a couple of years of moderate use.
I'm looking at composite options. I did get Millboard samples, and particularly like their limed oak finish but at £68 a 3.6m length from my local supplier, its too expensive.
Has anyone got any recommendations on a cheaper option which still maintains a decent looking finish?
I'm looking at composite options. I did get Millboard samples, and particularly like their limed oak finish but at £68 a 3.6m length from my local supplier, its too expensive.
Has anyone got any recommendations on a cheaper option which still maintains a decent looking finish?
We're using this: https://ecoscapeuk.co.uk/products/composite-deckin...
Excellent quality and a perfect match for the cladding they also do. Honestly couldn't tell you how much it is per m as it is all tied into our entire house build, but worth investigating... I know our Project Manager managed to get a healthy discount on list at the local supplier.
Excellent quality and a perfect match for the cladding they also do. Honestly couldn't tell you how much it is per m as it is all tied into our entire house build, but worth investigating... I know our Project Manager managed to get a healthy discount on list at the local supplier.
Edited by drgav2005 on Friday 1st May 12:04
Have the antique ash from https://www.compositewoodcompany.co.uk/wood-grain-...
was a great price, about 20% more than softwood quotes we were getting. Had it about a year, no issues, still looks like new obviously. This season just sprayed hose pipe on it to get rid of bird muck. Over the previous 13 years it was jetwash, sand, treat wood decking that had rotted through towards the end.
Well worth it. Has a 25 year guarantee, but I feel thats just marketing from these companies. Reality is how many of them will be be in business in 25 years ? thats a long time. You may not even be in the same house.....
was a great price, about 20% more than softwood quotes we were getting. Had it about a year, no issues, still looks like new obviously. This season just sprayed hose pipe on it to get rid of bird muck. Over the previous 13 years it was jetwash, sand, treat wood decking that had rotted through towards the end.
Well worth it. Has a 25 year guarantee, but I feel thats just marketing from these companies. Reality is how many of them will be be in business in 25 years ? thats a long time. You may not even be in the same house.....
I built a SmartBoard deck approx 12 months ago. Think we paid £25 / 3.6m length?
Very happy with it:
https://smartboard-decking.co.uk
Very happy with it:
https://smartboard-decking.co.uk
From experience and a lot of research don’t whatever you do buy any of the hollow core deck products whatever warranty they offer or if they are capped or worse uncapped - moisture will get trapped inside, be absorbed at a different rate on the bottom of the profile compared the top and a differential In expansion will occur which will cause cracking and splitting of the deck in the long term .
So Solid or semi-solid profile is the way to go preferably with a good quality capped surface and look for a brand name that is sold worldwide rather than just a name made up by the UK importer. At least you know they invest in their brand and reputation and will stand by the warranty they offer.
Some of the best global brands are Trex, Eva-Last, Timbertech, Fiberon.
It’s an expensive purchase so do your research .. helps to look at what’s sold in the USA.
So Solid or semi-solid profile is the way to go preferably with a good quality capped surface and look for a brand name that is sold worldwide rather than just a name made up by the UK importer. At least you know they invest in their brand and reputation and will stand by the warranty they offer.
Some of the best global brands are Trex, Eva-Last, Timbertech, Fiberon.
It’s an expensive purchase so do your research .. helps to look at what’s sold in the USA.
Interested in this thread as just in the process of getting quotes for composite decking ourselves. Had the local Trex fitter round yesterday. Seems like a very good product. Have some ecodeck samples and the Trex stuff seems better. Any idea of a ballpark figure for Trex transcend? I found a price list online that suggests to budget £75psqm it's not clear if that's just for the boards or includes the joists and supports.
Scooters5678 said:
From experience and a lot of research don’t whatever you do buy any of the hollow core deck products whatever warranty they offer or if they are capped or worse uncapped - moisture will get trapped inside, be absorbed at a different rate on the bottom of the profile compared the top and a differential In expansion will occur which will cause cracking and splitting of the deck in the long term .
So Solid or semi-solid profile is the way to go preferably with a good quality capped surface and look for a brand name that is sold worldwide rather than just a name made up by the UK importer. At least you know they invest in their brand and reputation and will stand by the warranty they offer.
Some of the best global brands are Trex, Eva-Last, Timbertech, Fiberon.
It’s an expensive purchase so do your research .. helps to look at what’s sold in the USA.
We're looking at this presently - so would you suggest something different? It's a lot of money to pay out so need to get it right?So Solid or semi-solid profile is the way to go preferably with a good quality capped surface and look for a brand name that is sold worldwide rather than just a name made up by the UK importer. At least you know they invest in their brand and reputation and will stand by the warranty they offer.
Some of the best global brands are Trex, Eva-Last, Timbertech, Fiberon.
It’s an expensive purchase so do your research .. helps to look at what’s sold in the USA.
https://www.deckplus.co.uk/reversadek-silver-slate...
After getting samples from pretty much all composite decking suppliers, and deliberated over it for quite some time, we used Trex decking which has been down for about a year now and are very happy with it so far. Even the solid stuff will warp so just make sure you go belt and braces with fixings (their hidden fixings system is very good but is quite expensive).
The main issue was in sourcing it, as their UK agent 'arbordeck' are a bit of a shambles and the supply chain is a mess, so to get what I needed (I went with contrast border, and needed some boards to have the side groove to be compatible with their hidden fixing system) I had to go between different merchants, but I got there in the end. Also the colour I originally wanted suddenly became discontinued (or it wasn't - Trex and Arbordeck gave me differing stories).
Also, the whole point of these deck is low/zero maintenance, so make sure you cover the frame underneath with some really robust timber treatment (like creosote/tar).
The main issue was in sourcing it, as their UK agent 'arbordeck' are a bit of a shambles and the supply chain is a mess, so to get what I needed (I went with contrast border, and needed some boards to have the side groove to be compatible with their hidden fixing system) I had to go between different merchants, but I got there in the end. Also the colour I originally wanted suddenly became discontinued (or it wasn't - Trex and Arbordeck gave me differing stories).
Also, the whole point of these deck is low/zero maintenance, so make sure you cover the frame underneath with some really robust timber treatment (like creosote/tar).
Zippee said:
Scooters5678 said:
From experience and a lot of research don’t whatever you do buy any of the hollow core deck products whatever warranty they offer or if they are capped or worse uncapped - moisture will get trapped inside, be absorbed at a different rate on the bottom of the profile compared the top and a differential In expansion will occur which will cause cracking and splitting of the deck in the long term .
So Solid or semi-solid profile is the way to go preferably with a good quality capped surface and look for a brand name that is sold worldwide rather than just a name made up by the UK importer. At least you know they invest in their brand and reputation and will stand by the warranty they offer.
Some of the best global brands are Trex, Eva-Last, Timbertech, Fiberon.
It’s an expensive purchase so do your research .. helps to look at what’s sold in the USA.
We're looking at this presently - so would you suggest something different? It's a lot of money to pay out so need to get it right?So Solid or semi-solid profile is the way to go preferably with a good quality capped surface and look for a brand name that is sold worldwide rather than just a name made up by the UK importer. At least you know they invest in their brand and reputation and will stand by the warranty they offer.
Some of the best global brands are Trex, Eva-Last, Timbertech, Fiberon.
It’s an expensive purchase so do your research .. helps to look at what’s sold in the USA.
https://www.deckplus.co.uk/reversadek-silver-slate...
We’re in the process of getting these guys to quote to supply us for a 62sqm decking to replace the old and now rotten one I installed 11 years ago, anyone have any thoughts or experience with this product?
https://www.envirobuild.com/collections/frontier
https://www.envirobuild.com/collections/frontier
I've looked at Envirobuild frontier, the sample looks good and not dissimilar surface to Timbertechs ultrashield product. I'm tempted but it's very similar in price to Trex Enhance
Timbertech which is one of the oldest producers of this stuff, uses a hollow core profile. It's not as hollow as some of the lesser known stuff but it has holes through it. It's completely capped but it's been going for over 20 years. Trex' enhance range is capped at the top but not bottom. Its solid but the bottom of the profile isn't flat. It's meant to be able to let water out if it gets in.
Millboard which a lot seem to be using isn't a wood composite. It's solid and it's quite a large board but it's not cheap. I like it but ive only seen a small sample and not sure if the colour is what I'm looking for.
I've managed to get the Trex stuff for a shade under £40 for a 3.6m length. Envirobuild was similar but 4m long. Due to the way I was planning the deck (straight out from the house) it means that I either end up with a slightly longer deck or 0.4m wastage on every board.
One thing I've noticed is the clips aren't cheap. Hardwood is cheaper, but it'll probably need as much aftercare as the usual softwood stuff. Looks nice.
Timbertech which is one of the oldest producers of this stuff, uses a hollow core profile. It's not as hollow as some of the lesser known stuff but it has holes through it. It's completely capped but it's been going for over 20 years. Trex' enhance range is capped at the top but not bottom. Its solid but the bottom of the profile isn't flat. It's meant to be able to let water out if it gets in.
Millboard which a lot seem to be using isn't a wood composite. It's solid and it's quite a large board but it's not cheap. I like it but ive only seen a small sample and not sure if the colour is what I'm looking for.
I've managed to get the Trex stuff for a shade under £40 for a 3.6m length. Envirobuild was similar but 4m long. Due to the way I was planning the deck (straight out from the house) it means that I either end up with a slightly longer deck or 0.4m wastage on every board.
One thing I've noticed is the clips aren't cheap. Hardwood is cheaper, but it'll probably need as much aftercare as the usual softwood stuff. Looks nice.
Please excuse my ignorance on this subject but do you need to fix composite boards to composite frames? I understand wooden frames can rot but just trying to weigh up the options for my project.
Currently have small patio which I want to replace with new paving and a wooden decked area (wooden frame is fine as its raised) which will either be paved (extending the current patio to replace the deck entirely) or potentially replaced with composite.
Thanks
Currently have small patio which I want to replace with new paving and a wooden decked area (wooden frame is fine as its raised) which will either be paved (extending the current patio to replace the deck entirely) or potentially replaced with composite.
Thanks
MrThomo said:
Please excuse my ignorance on this subject but do you need to fix composite boards to composite frames? I understand wooden frames can rot but just trying to weigh up the options for my project.
Currently have small patio which I want to replace with new paving and a wooden decked area (wooden frame is fine as its raised) which will either be paved (extending the current patio to replace the deck entirely) or potentially replaced with composite.
Thanks
You dont have to use composite frames, you can use treated wood and concrete posts etc. Whatever best fits your circumstances. Should last 15-20 years if you use top grade treated stuff with breathable membrane on top etc.Currently have small patio which I want to replace with new paving and a wooden decked area (wooden frame is fine as its raised) which will either be paved (extending the current patio to replace the deck entirely) or potentially replaced with composite.
Thanks
Some composite manufacturers have their own composite frame material and special fixing systems, so you dont have so much choice.
Here's an area I did -
They are conceptually similar to decking, there's a plastic height adjustable pedestal in each corner of a 20mm porcelain tile.
There's a gap between each tile & water just drains through the gaps.
Being plastic/composite pedestals & porcelain tiles, they shouldn't wear out or degrade.
Edges / steps are a bit more tricky, but I've done some of those as well at the other side of the house.
They are conceptually similar to decking, there's a plastic height adjustable pedestal in each corner of a 20mm porcelain tile.
There's a gap between each tile & water just drains through the gaps.
Being plastic/composite pedestals & porcelain tiles, they shouldn't wear out or degrade.
Edges / steps are a bit more tricky, but I've done some of those as well at the other side of the house.
Edited by Carbon Sasquatch on Saturday 13th June 07:48
Carbon Sasquatch said:
Do you have any photos of the area ?
Have you considered 20mm porcelain tiles on pedestals ? Or do you particularly want decking ?
Will post a pic tomorrow. Deck if removed will need ground building up first as it drops away in one corner.Have you considered 20mm porcelain tiles on pedestals ? Or do you particularly want decking ?
I have considered porcelain tiles and it will be between these and composite decking. Just can’t make my bloody mind up.
Hoonigan said:
We’re in the process of getting these guys to quote to supply us for a 62sqm decking to replace the old and now rotten one I installed 11 years ago, anyone have any thoughts or experience with this product?
https://www.envirobuild.com/collections/frontier
https://www.envirobuild.com/collections/frontier
We have the frontier range in marble, it’s very good quality and envirobuild were good to deal with
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