Composite decking recommendations

[Nigel_O]

Next big garden project is decking, to replace the 40 year old patio. Area is about 8m wide x 2.5m deep and will all be at the same level. We had some softwood decking a few years ago, but it only lasted a few years before rotting (deck and joists both went)

The garden backs onto open fields, facing north east, so it gets a fair bit of weather. I reckon therefore that I need composites joists as well as composite deck planks. The underlying surface will be 50% old patio and 50% gravel / soil, so I’ll probably need some levelling legs, sat on slabs.

Colour will probably be dark brown / oak to hide the eventual mucky surface, plus we really don’t like grey / charcoal.

I’ll probably get a good handyman in to do it, as my days of groveling around on my knees are long gone. Don’t mind spending a few quid on decent quality. I’m wondering if £1k will cover the materials?…

I can’t believe someone else on PH hasn’t already done something similar, so any recommendations are gratefully received.

[normalbloke]

Millboard. Just make sure all the supports etc are composite too, plus their stainless hidden fasteners.

[Arnold Cunningham]

I used cladco, but went with their commercial (solid) boards. It looks good and has a very solid feel to it, while being loads cheaper than millboard

[J6542]

Wood is fine for the sub structure as long as it is off the ground, blackjack the posts and tape the top of the joists. Whatever system you chose. Work out the frame size to your decking board size since the width of a board plus clip is an exact size unlike wood and having to rip a board looks terrible.

[48k]

As above, you don't need composite joists, wooden joists are fine it just needs to be done properly - eg. support the frame on brick pillars, weed control membrane underneath and decking joist tape on top.

[IAN1967]

Think you will need a bit more than £1K for the materials.

We were lucky and got the decking boards,clips and s/s screws from the FIL for nothing and the timber support work which I replaced at the same time was from memory about £400, and that was thru my works normal supplier.

Area is about 9m x 2.4

I bought the decking tape but found it didn't work well with the clips for the composite deck so left it off, got several rolls in the garage if anyone around the High Wycombe area is interested.

[boyse7en]

I did mine about two years ago.

Composite decking, wooden frame to support. About 4x3m. Materials (including edging trims, nails, screws, joist hangers, waterproof tape etc) came to over £1500. So I think your hope of a sub-£1000 materials cost is a bit below budget.