Which decking?
Discussion
Prices for composite usually range from around £4.50 (low grade) to £9.00 (High grade) per running meter. In the UK Timbertech is the most established composite deck retailer, however from my point of view there are better products on the market. Trex composite decking for example, huge in America and picking up pace in the UK market quickly.
MagicalTrevor said:
Thanks guys, we love the idea of that composite decking and hadn't thought of that. Much better idea than normal decking.. however, how much? What's the cost like compared to normal decking? I'd like to do a much larger area as decking but we don't have the budget right now to do it (assuming that I'd be £500+ for the small area we'd do)
I would be more than happy to put you a full set of Trex samples in the post to you if you would like to PM me your details, or you can contact me directly at Arbordeck on 01469532300. Thanks 
parakitaMol. said:
I don't know all the prices of different suppliers but I had one quote for the rear deck which is 110m2. It came to £8700 for the ecodek including VAT & installation.
I had samples sent in 5 colours and the texture feels really lovely - chose black to complement black aluminium windows. We are in a semi-rural area with lots of woodland and tress so we get a lot of leaf drop and spore debris which makes our deck a nightmare to maintain - but we don't want tiles, haven't really found anything else that will do the job.
I had samples sent in 5 colours and the texture feels really lovely - chose black to complement black aluminium windows. We are in a semi-rural area with lots of woodland and tress so we get a lot of leaf drop and spore debris which makes our deck a nightmare to maintain - but we don't want tiles, haven't really found anything else that will do the job.
I covered a raised decking area with Ecodek last year and it really is good stuff. The only note of caution is that it must be installed exactly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Centres of timber joints mustn't exceed those recommended or it will sag. Miss a fixing screw out, and as soon as the sun comes out, you'll spot your mistake. It's easy to cut and shape and the finish is superb. Everyone who has seen it has been impressed with the finish.
I got samples of different composites from a number of suppliers, before choosing Ecodek. The finish, and the friction test results were what what swayed it for us.
I got samples of different composites from a number of suppliers, before choosing Ecodek. The finish, and the friction test results were what what swayed it for us.
Ferritboy said:
That is usually the case yes, however i can’t comment on ecodeck's products as i have never seen one of their decks in the flesh. Make sure you upload some pictures for us so we can have a perve!!
The deck project is in 2 phases. Phase 1 is to replace our balcony, including deck and also to replace the dreadful wood tile cladding on the kitchen with matching cladding boards from Ecodek (horizontal). The idiot who built the balcony made the rail from internal banisters!! these rotten monstrosities will be replaced with smoked glass and a brushed aluminium rail - it will also be extended by about 1m at front. The deck on the balcony is rotten so can't wait to have the new one installed. parakitaMol. said:
I've just ordered black composite boards from ecodek for my new balcony. They look fab, can't wait till they are fitted.
It's my understanding that composite doesn't go nearly as slimy as timber. Maybe Ferritboy can confirm this? We're having matching horizontal cladding to replace the evil tiles - I'm hoping I've made the right choice! big project!
It's my understanding that composite doesn't go nearly as slimy as timber. Maybe Ferritboy can confirm this? We're having matching horizontal cladding to replace the evil tiles - I'm hoping I've made the right choice! big project!
Here is 'before'. It is being installed 1st week July.
Phase 2 is the rear garden deck which is the larger measurement I said above. Yes it would be great to have an alternative quote but we will not be doing that job till next year - want to see how the Ecodek performs.
Edited by parakitaMol. on Wednesday 13th June 07:24
I've got Trex composite decking.
I knew it was composite, but only found out it was trex the other day, when I found an offcut half buried underneath it with the label on. Idle scrote builders.
It doesn't get slimy or slippery, at least not here in Colorado (which admittedly is one of the driest places on Earth - even so, wooden decks can get quite dangerous); I was hosing a couple of years worth of filth off it last night, walking around on the sodden planks without the slightest qualm.
Two things - it doesn't absorb water a great deal so it dries quickly, so less chance for anything nasty to grow on it, plus as it ages, it gains a rougher, grippy texture.
I knew it was composite, but only found out it was trex the other day, when I found an offcut half buried underneath it with the label on. Idle scrote builders.
It doesn't get slimy or slippery, at least not here in Colorado (which admittedly is one of the driest places on Earth - even so, wooden decks can get quite dangerous); I was hosing a couple of years worth of filth off it last night, walking around on the sodden planks without the slightest qualm.
Two things - it doesn't absorb water a great deal so it dries quickly, so less chance for anything nasty to grow on it, plus as it ages, it gains a rougher, grippy texture.
jimmyjimjim said:
I've got Trex composite decking.
I knew it was composite, but only found out it was trex the other day, when I found an offcut half buried underneath it with the label on. Idle scrote builders.
It doesn't get slimy or slippery, at least not here in Colorado (which admittedly is one of the driest places on Earth - even so, wooden decks can get quite dangerous); I was hosing a couple of years worth of filth off it last night, walking around on the sodden planks without the slightest qualm.
Two things - it doesn't absorb water a great deal so it dries quickly, so less chance for anything nasty to grow on it, plus as it ages, it gains a rougher, grippy texture.
That’s interesting jimmyjimjim, thanks for your input. Do you know what range of Trex decking it is you have? i often have customers in the UK asking how slippery Trex decking is and i am un-able answer. We sell the Trex Transcend range, would be good if i could tell customers that as it ages it gains a rougher, grippy texture. CheersI knew it was composite, but only found out it was trex the other day, when I found an offcut half buried underneath it with the label on. Idle scrote builders.
It doesn't get slimy or slippery, at least not here in Colorado (which admittedly is one of the driest places on Earth - even so, wooden decks can get quite dangerous); I was hosing a couple of years worth of filth off it last night, walking around on the sodden planks without the slightest qualm.
Two things - it doesn't absorb water a great deal so it dries quickly, so less chance for anything nasty to grow on it, plus as it ages, it gains a rougher, grippy texture.
After having a bit of a browse of the trex site, I'm guessing 'accents', this is going off the pattern(which isn't as 'pointy' as their other ranges) and the 'weathered' colours shown on the site.
http://www.trex.com/plan/products/decking/railing/...
I'd also guess at the accents range as being the cheapest; can't imagine the builder used anything else! *
It does get slippery when icy(well, duh), but no more so than any other surface.
* especially as I've now started working on the yard and am finding more and more oddments buried, rather than disposed of.
The weathered colours (esp. on the rialing page) might give you a better idea of the kind of surface I mean, sort of like smoothed off low grit sand paper - not sharp or unpleasant to the touch, but not smooth.
http://www.trex.com/plan/products/decking/railing/...
I'd also guess at the accents range as being the cheapest; can't imagine the builder used anything else! *
It does get slippery when icy(well, duh), but no more so than any other surface.
* especially as I've now started working on the yard and am finding more and more oddments buried, rather than disposed of.
The weathered colours (esp. on the rialing page) might give you a better idea of the kind of surface I mean, sort of like smoothed off low grit sand paper - not sharp or unpleasant to the touch, but not smooth.
Can't believe I've only just found this thread!
As the founder (& MD) of Ecodek and a long-time established PH member, it's probably fitting of me to add some comments.
Very kind words about my product from parakitaMol. & sparkythecat so thanks for that guys.
We are the only UK manufacture, all other composite products come from across the Atlantic or from the Far-East.
I would challenge Ferritboy when he says the decking he sells is the most established. Ecodek www.ecodek.co.uk was set up in 2002 & we are by far the market leaders although we specialise in servicing the commercial industry more than the retail (although we do consider the retail market very important to us). We have a lot of technical knowledge & we even decked the Olympic Stadium - 4000m2 of our lovely black boards (you can see the deck projecting from the side of the stadium in ariel shots!
Because we serve the commercial sector, you can be assured our product is hard wearing, ecological and fully tested & made in the UK of course!
In fact, as its my birthday today & I'm feeling generous, I'll give trade prices to any PH member for the month of July. And if you guys ever need technical help, just email me direct alex@ecodek.co.uk
Here to help..............and to burn petrol...........
As the founder (& MD) of Ecodek and a long-time established PH member, it's probably fitting of me to add some comments.
Very kind words about my product from parakitaMol. & sparkythecat so thanks for that guys.
We are the only UK manufacture, all other composite products come from across the Atlantic or from the Far-East.
I would challenge Ferritboy when he says the decking he sells is the most established. Ecodek www.ecodek.co.uk was set up in 2002 & we are by far the market leaders although we specialise in servicing the commercial industry more than the retail (although we do consider the retail market very important to us). We have a lot of technical knowledge & we even decked the Olympic Stadium - 4000m2 of our lovely black boards (you can see the deck projecting from the side of the stadium in ariel shots!
Because we serve the commercial sector, you can be assured our product is hard wearing, ecological and fully tested & made in the UK of course!
In fact, as its my birthday today & I'm feeling generous, I'll give trade prices to any PH member for the month of July. And if you guys ever need technical help, just email me direct alex@ecodek.co.uk
Here to help..............and to burn petrol...........
z4chris99 said:
i used an online company called edecks, got the lot from them, built a frame and away you go.
And a stain from b&q called ronseal rich teak..
from this: to this:
Sorry to thread highjack but im thinking of using edecks for their decking kits (the ones that come in a pack with the handrails etc) so I can just screw it together like IKEA furniture. Have looked at reviews there are some great reviews and absolute horror stories about them.And a stain from b&q called ronseal rich teak..
from this: to this:
I dont wanna throw nearly £300 away so I was wondering how you found them to deal with?
Again sorry to highjack
Cheers
Steely
Hi LDM, well as the longest established and most successful UK manufacturer of composite decking, we here at ecodek would be happy to offer you referrals from happy customers. Sometimes, depending upon your location, we can also find local decks for you to inspect.
One major benefit is how little cleaning it needs - I inspected a 2009 deck installed at a large academy school in London the other week, it had never been cleaned, it was under trees (so plenty of leaf mould), it had never had drainage/expansion gaps cleared out, kids had abused it and it still looked great! (It’s always a nice reassurance to see this - especially as I made the stuff!).
One major benefit is how little cleaning it needs - I inspected a 2009 deck installed at a large academy school in London the other week, it had never been cleaned, it was under trees (so plenty of leaf mould), it had never had drainage/expansion gaps cleared out, kids had abused it and it still looked great! (It’s always a nice reassurance to see this - especially as I made the stuff!).
scenario8 said:
Gingerbread Man said:
My expirence of decking is that it's slippery when wet.
Decking is seriously dangerous stuff when wet/damp/frosty/icy. Evil. I've gone a over t several times on other peoples' decks.Not that that really helps the OP, for which I apologise.
depending on how well the OP gets on with his wife I can see an upside here. 
king I got for posting my company name on this forum a few years back 
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