Decking: composite v wood. Slip, scratches, etc

Asker

Thoughts please!

Large area (about 50sqm) to be done, bifold doors connecting from orangery.

Prefer wood because cheaper, easier to do, the look but apparently maintenance is a pain and can get slippery when wet+slight mould layer.

So thinking of composite (someone here suggested dinodecking on another thread _ or maybe that was another forum on a google search). Cost we can cope with. Main concern now is the SCRATCHING. We tested scratching the samples we got and it scratches very easily (!).

Someone said something about don't go with "polywood" that's used in furniture as it scratches easily. I don't know what is in composite flooring.

Any help appreciated!

trailingspouse

We got rid of the wooden decking that came with the house. Our reasons -


- falling apart (12 years old)
- slippery when wet
- extremely slippery when icy


We replaced it with a normal paved patio.

theonlywayisup

We have hardwood. It doesn't need (or perhaps I should say it doesn't get) much in the way of maintenance. It isn't slippery but then it faces south, I have no idea if it would be different facing another direction.

I have Cladco commercial composite decking in one holiday cottage - a trial - it's been down all this summer only and it doesn't look like it will need any maintenance. There were a few colour options and it wasn't expensive.

greencode

So far I've got samples from Dino Decking and Envirobuild (both free samples). You can also order Cladco samples from https://www.wpc-decking.co.uk/samples using the discount code EXITSAMPLE to get that free as well. Ultimately I can't see any noticeable difference between the first two I've got so beginning to think all composite decking is the same (unless you get the solid core stuff).

Really tricky as you have the 30% fading plus scratch issue with composite but then you have the slippy, maintenance and degradation issue with wood.

I'm edging towards composite but a little concerned by the fading issue as half of my decking gets sun and half doesn't.

Boftrix

Hi
Hi all. After a bit of research I asked for a sample of composite decking from Oakio and I'm really impressed. I can't seem to scratch them and they seem very well-made. It's variegated - which apparently means they use more than one colour to give a deep wood-grain pattern. Whatever they call it, the wood grain pattern looks almost 3D!  They are double-sided, with deep grooves on the other side to the wood grain affect. So you have two design options. I don't know if this is important, but I was pleasantly surprised at how heavy they are, compared to samples I received from other companies - which seemed a bit cheap and flimsy to me. I suppose it's like most things, you get what you pay for. (Buy cheap  - pay twice as my other half always says!) Anyhow, just to share - the Oakio samples are the best ones I've had by far - it's the Smokey White I have. Very likely I will be going with that one as it will suit the colour scheme of my house perfectly. Very excited.

pmartin86

I've got a similar sized area I put down a year ago in my garden (about 48sqm) and another areas (about 20sqm) that I put down atr my mums house about 5 years ago. In both cases I used real wood, nothing fancy, basicly this stuff:

https://www.travisperkins.co.uk/timber-decking/pressure-treated-timber-decking-board-29mm-x-124mm-finished-size-26mm-x-120-mm/p/9000049434

In both cases I've not had any issues with degradation or slippy surface - I suspect like most other things in life, preparation is the key. I made sure their was a fall of 1:100, or 10mm for every meter of decking and spent about 80% of my time ensuring I had a solid, stable and level subframe. I don't get any ponding water, even during rain and the decking dried relatively evenly, with a good 20mm draining channel at the end.

As for maintenance, I have 2 dogs and 2 kids, so during the summer its probably hosed down every 2-4 weeks, with a pressure wash 2-3 times a year. So far I've followed the same maintenance plan with both decks, which is basically give it a a pressure wash with a good stiff brush in the spring and 2 coats of anti slip decking stain (Usually about an hour to pressure wash and i would set aside a day for both coats), I've found this to be good, but I'm sure there are better or similar products out there:

https://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/product/cuprinol-anti-slip-decking-stain?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyY6rpYfr7AIVlevtCh2CaAnPEAQYASABEgIz5_D_BwE

TL:DR - If you make sure its laid right and do annual maintenance, wood is fine.

Swasterix

I laid some composite decking from Dino Decking earlier this year. I did manage to scratch mine when pushing a rattan couch round on it, but seems fairly hard wearing so long as you’re careful. 

It isn’t slippery in the slightest, I was happily walking around on it while jet washing it the other week, there is no difference in grip whether it’s wet or dry.

Something to consider is staining. I have (had) a bush with purple berries right next to where my decking is located. The birds love(d) it. They also loved leaving little purple deposits on the decking, some of which have stained. Fortunately it was under where the couch is now situated, but the bush is now gone. Obviously if it was timber I could have sanded it out, but not possible with composite. 

Having said all of this, I would definitely recommend it over timber decking. Lasts longer, easier to look after, non slip and IMHO looks better. 

greencode

So, I've had my Dino Decking (Ash Colour) down for over a year now and it's holding up well. A few notes…
- I laid is wood effect style up as the other side I didn't think was manufactured very well i.e. the grooves weren't consistent and my OCD would have noticed that! The wood side looks really good and I'm actually glad I laid it this way up
- When it's wet and freezes it can be really really slippy
- It's pretty scratch resistant. I've got a dog and he's on it all the time and I've not noticed any scratch marks
- The hidden fasteners are really good and descreet
To do a 4x2.5 metre section it was around £500 in total.