However, composite decking varies enormously from manufacturer to manufacturer. 'For this reason it is often a popular choice in public areas where there is heavy footfall and greater risk of slips and trips. 'Composite decking is less susceptible to algae growth and can be more slip resistant than timber when wet,' adds Caroline Birdsall, Marketing Director, Millboard. The best tip to reduce the slippery surface is to keep leaves off the surface and occasionally wash with a hose and a squeegee.' This provides less traction and therefore its performance is reduced when compared to a composite surface. 'Grooved decking performs worse in the wet, this is due to the reduced surface area. not to say that wet decking is slippery when wet, most surfaces are slippery when wet when compared to a dry surface,' advises landscaper Karl Harrison. 'Leading brands of composite decking have slip test data available on their websites. 'The effects of sunlight are much more forgiving on composite decking than a wood deck - which will always fade to a silvery dull grey over because one of its main components, cellulose, automatically oxidises in sunlight, leading to surface bleaching.' Is composite decking slippery when wet? 'All decking will fade a little bit initially as its UV inhibitors work to stabilise the deck colour, but if you like the colour of the sample you chose, you’ll want to make sure any fading is kept to a minimum,' continues Lee. Darker colours will retain more heat than lighter colours, so if you’ve got a south facing garden and live somewhere with long, hot summers, then you may want to factor this in when selecting your colour.' 'In truth, all surfaces that are exposed to direct sunlight all day will be warm to walk on with bare feet, but the amount of heat retained can be greatly affected by the colour. 'One criticism sometimes levelled against composite decking is that it gets hot,' notes Lee from Dura Composites. 'So, if you prefer, you can save on labour costs and build your deck yourself, following your chosen manufacturer’s DIY installation guides.' Does composite decking get hot to walk on? 'A small to medium-sized deck can take anywhere up to 2 days to install and requires only basic DIY tools,' adds Lee. However, as well as the decking boards, you should also account for the foundation, subframe, railings, and any additional decking accessories. Good quality composite decking boards will cost in the region of £50 to £90 per square metre and are a sound long term investment if you choose the right brand. Of course, it’s an individual choice and it all depends on your budget and priorities. 'Composite decking is typically more expensive, because it’s highly engineered, however when the long lifespan is taken into account, alongside the many other benefits, many feel it’s worth the investment. 'The only real area that composites don’t compare favourably with timber, is in the initial purchase price,' agrees Lee from Dura Composites. 'One of the only downsides is that it can come at a much higher price, however they have more longevity and significantly fewer maintenance costs.' 'There are very few disadvantages to composite decking,' says Karl. If you do change your decking for composite you should look forward too many years of relatively maintenance free use.’ What are the problems with composite decking? 'Replacing your timber decking with composite does make sense if you add the time and cost of maintenance of timber. 'Many deck owners don’t mind the occasional maintenance, some that have timber decking soon wish they’d made composite their first choice,' notes Karl Harrison, landscaper and Trex Composite Decking expert. Indeed, composite decking is likely to make your life easier than timber in the long run. If you have less time for the care and maintenance of decking, then composite decking is the right option for you.' 'You will also need to consider how much time you think you can allocate in looking after and maintaining your decking. 'When choosing your decking, you will need to consider how it will aesthetically match with your existing exterior,' agrees Nick Whiley, Project Director, Trekker Global. That said, if decking suits your needs and aesthetics, then composite is likely to be a good choice. Is composite decking really worth it?Īs with any addition or change to your home and garden, whether it's worth it or not is largely based on your personal preferences. Alternate the boards with pretty pebbles, stones or gravel for interest and colour. Individual boards of decking make for cool, deconstructed pathways.
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