Composite Decking vs. Wood Decking

More Environmentally Friendly

It’s now easier than ever to get timber decking from sustainable sources and make an environmentally conscious purchase. Composite decking also benefits from the fact that it’s eco-friendly – usually developed from a blend of recycled wood and polymers.
As with most products, the exact level of recycled materials varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but some of the more high-end boards will be made with more recycled content.
Whilst this may not be a direct benefit for the consumer in the same way that fire and slip-resistance is, it will certainly make some people feel better about the environmental impacts, knowing they’re investing in a long-lasting, sustainable material for their project.

Minimal Maintenance

Composite decking easily replicates the characteristics of timber decking without any of the drawbacks like rotting, warp, or fading and is highly UV and stain resistant.
One of the major drawbacks of timber decking is the need to constantly paint, stain, or treat it every spring, to ensure it holds colour and looks its best. These problems don’t really exist with composite decking boards as the colour pigments stabilise quickly after installation to prevent ongoing fading issues and it will never need painting or treating during its life cycle. If all you need to do to look after it is give it the occasional sweep to remove any debris, then it’s a win-win!

Cost Benefits

The composite decking vs. wood cost implications is an important factor for many people when deciding between composite or wooden decking. In terms of side-by-side comparisons, there are no real downsides to composite decking when compared to actual timber – it’s just as beautiful, safe and lasts longer.

However, that quality does come at a price, and this is one area where cheap timber has the advantage. Because it is a raw material and not subject to the same ‘engineering’ as composite, softwood decking is easily and cheaply bought, making it a common go-to option for those creating a space on a budget. But it’s important not just to think about the initial outlay, but about the ongoing cost of repairs to timber; including decking paint, labour and materials to replace damaged or warped planks and most importantly, the time you will have to spend putting it right each year.
When you take all of that into account, choosing composite can actually end up saving you money in the long run – and what’s more, it looks great the moment you lay it, with no staining needed to build up the colour finish you want.

Colour Considerations

One criticism sometimes levelled against composite decking is that it gets hot. 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. 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.

Making The Right Choice

We hope that the pros and cons addressed in this article have helped to answer some of your questions about quality composite decking vs. wood decking. If you want to see for yourself how composite decking compares to timber, or to test it for yourself, you can always order a free sample or speak to a member of the Dura Composites team! You can even get a detailed online quote in seconds with our composite decking calculator!