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Looking to refurb the Clan HB deck... don't ask it's a car crash of weeds and rotten boards at the moment but want to make it into something amazing (with louvred all pergola thingy) over next 6 months.
Planning a wood joist approx 3.5x7m base but want composite decking for the boards to avoid rot and grot.
Solid core seems to appeal more than the hollow stuff? And some seem to include wood fibres (as filler I suspect but not sure if this helps or cheapens? Also some use lots of post consumer waste, some say nowt on this?
So is there a UK source of composite decking that will last 20-30 years, be amazing quality, sustainable and offer fair value (priorities ranked in the lights, strong, cheap order).
Over to the countless STW geeks I am sure have trodden this path in UK already......
I've looked at this alot. prices for top stuff like Milboard are ridiculous. you may as well go stone. if you do go composite, get compostie joists too
We have the Eurocell hollow stuff. Down about 5 years and lasting well, think I have jet washed it once in that time.
Putting it down was a pain as ended up with a little slim board at the top of a step so had to lift it all and re space it very slightly so it ended with a full board.
Recently replaced some 13 year old deck boards with Dino Deck.
We went for their more expensive boards.(longer guarantee I think) It went down easily and looks nicer than the shabby looking wood we had before.
They will send out a sample pack.
One thing to consider is the joist spacing needs to be much closer if it's going onto an existing base. And the lengths where 4m as well.
Horrible messy stuff to cut.
Just fitted composite decking to replace the old rotting decking and it’s ace. A bugger to cut and incredibly heavy for its size but a 25 year guarantee and no more annual treatment, just jetwash when needed.
I’ll dig out the details later.
Well worth it IMO.
Thanks for comments so far! Look forward to hearing more!
For cutting is circular saw or jigsaw best? Am guessing key to cutting is not letting it get hot/melt and clog the blade?
We've just used Dino Decking. I used a cordless circular saw for the cutting and am very pleased with it. So much better than the old timber one.
<p style="text-align: left;">I’d love more info on this too. We have a failing deck that’s over a strongly sloping garden. Sloping by about a metre over 3 metres.
so the underfrane is very important. It will need a contractor.
I understand from the above that there are specific requirements for a timber under frame that lasts - special nails, treat cut ends etc. Finding someone to trust on all this is keeping me awake. Im in Brighton.
no good laying composite boards on a frame that may only last 5-10 years.
this stuff seems a good idea.
https://teckwood.co.uk/is-deck-tape-necessary-what-you-need-to-know/
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any thoughts please.
Like I said above. Use composite joists. Or if you are feeling rich there are alu subframes. Its pointless buying a composite deck and using wood for the subframe. usually the subframe fails before the deck does on a wood build.
A good wood sub frame will last 20 years, mine's starting to go in places now but generally sound. I did treat cut ends but maybe should have added the deck tape as some of the rot seems to have started from the top down.
Also interested as the whole lot will be coming out in the next 5 years and was intending to replace with a timber subframe and composite boards.
We've got Millboard. Looks fabulous and been maintenance free for six years. Sadly the under-frame needs replacing after 13 years (thanks to the previous owners who did not use decking tape), and we'll be reusing the boards and swapping to composite posts. Still love it though. Ours is a dark sleeper design.
similar amount of labour, slightly more up front expenditure for composite vs you will have to replace a wooden subframe - how soon depends on your micro climate and how much extra prep you put into it (no need to treat the ends etc... on composite or faff about with deck tape)
I still think its daft to use a wood subframe if you are spending on a composite deck....