Composite Decking

Upwind

Hi All,

Considering fitting some decking in the back yard and I am interested in composite decking. I wondered if anyone could advise on the costs - in comparison to regular decking? I'm looking at an area of about 3 x 3 metres - so if there are any trades people who could advise I'd be grateful.

If anyone has actually laid this decking, could you advise if the benefits are outweighing the additional costs and if there are any pitfalls.

Thanks to anyone who can assist.... your help is appreciated.

dominoman

Apart from the cost, one downside is it is not wood and will never look like wood. It's a personal thing, but some people just dislike acres of plastic - however much it is designed to try and emulate the look of the real thing.

phil24_7

It will not rot but it will eventually fade. Faded wood looks better than faded plastic.

beaker141

I've just laid http://www.ecodek.co.uk/ in slate grey, its about £50 per sq metre for the deck boards, so yes, it is much more expensive. Add to that the cost of the subframe on top.

I was driven by a few factors,
> I'll do it once and once only with any luck
> there will be no splinters (I've had a child in A&E with laughing gas to get some really big ugly shards of wood out of his foot from a wooden deck)
> It adds to the modern contemporary look, with Anthractie bifold doors and windows.

Cost benefit analysis would depend on what benefits you value and by how much. I would say wastage offcuts are very small, I've completed 18 sq metres so far and I dont even have a carrier bag full of wastage yet - its made to measure with only about an inch extra so its important to measure correctly when ordering.

I've not encountered any pitfalls yet, its as easy to cut and drill as wood.

Upwind

beaker141 wrote: »

I've just laid http://www.ecodek.co.uk/ in slate grey, its about £50 per sq metre for the deck boards, so yes, it is much more expensive. Add to that the cost of the subframe on top.

I was driven by a few factors,
> I'll do it once and once only with any luck
> there will be no splinters (I've had a child in A&E with laughing gas to get some really big ugly shards of wood out of his foot from a wooden deck)
> It adds to the modern contemporary look, with Anthractie bifold doors and windows.

Cost benefit analysis would depend on what benefits you value and by how much. I would say wastage offcuts are very small, I've completed 18 sq metres so far and I dont even have a carrier bag full of wastage yet - its made to measure with only about an inch extra so its important to measure correctly when ordering.

I've not encountered any pitfalls yet, its as easy to cut and drill as wood.

Thanks beaker141,

Although expensive it wounds like an option worth investigating. The lack of waste and made to measure cut appeal to me.

Kiran

I'm currently designing a roof terrace and Ecodek or similar will probably be my choice over wood

phil24_7

The deck boards alone would cost me £2K for composite whereas I can buy and build my C24 timber superstructure with premium deck boards for less than that!!!!

Kiran

phil24_7 wrote: »

The deck boards alone would cost be £2K for composite whereas I can buy and build my C24 timber superstructure with premium deck boards for less than that!!!!

Assuming the price above is correct at £50/m2 3x3m deck is 9m2

9x£50 is £450 not 2k.

You need to factor in maintenance and the value of your own time.

A nice timber deck is a fantastic thing to look at. A poorly maintained one is an eyesore.

zaax

Putting up decking, or other raised platforms, in your garden is permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission, providing: The decking is no more than 30cm above the ground.

phil24_7

Kiran wrote: »

Assuming the price above is correct at £50/m2 3x3m deck is 9m2

9x£50 is £450 not 2k.

You need to factor in maintenance and the value of your own time.

A nice timber deck is a fantastic thing to look at. A poorly maintained one is an eyesore.

A simple typo replacing an 'm' with a 'b' shouldn't have change the context of my post.

9200 x 4200 deck for me. Decking isn't hard to maintain if good wood is used and it is built correctly. A good clean once a year and repairing any damage will keep it in good condition.

firefox1956

Just taken out some decking that I installed about 15 years ago.
Been re stained every couple of years.
The decking & supports are just as good as the day they were laid.
Fit properly & maintain properly.......
HTH