There is plenty of hype about composite decking at the moment, with everyone from timber merchants, design magazines and radio presenters waxing lyrical about the growing trend to hit the UK – but what actually is it?

　　Composite decking is often referred to as plastic decking but it is actually made from a mixture of wood fibers and plastic. It is often a more sustainable solution than traditional timber because the wood fibers and plastic are commonly recycled so it can dramatically reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfill sites. These days, consumers are much more environmentally conscious and actually look for products which are good for the environment rather than destroying it.

　　Introduced as a viable alternative to timber, composite decking helps reduce or even eliminate the typical maintenance issues associated with traditional wooden decking. It often only requires a basic wash-down with hot soapy water twice a year. And these days, people only want to spend time enjoying their outdoor spaces rather than maintaining them. It’s this key benefit which makes it such an attractive product and it is why the market is growing so quickly.  

　　Composite decking products have been specially engineered to perform better in the rain and the sun’s UV rays, and are designed to be fade, stain, scratch and mould resistant. So they last much longer than timber and will look as good as they do on the day of their install year after year. A lot the manufacturers back this up with between 10 and 25-year warranties.

　　Many composite decking products can be fitted with fixings that allow for a screw-less finish and faster installation. However, like all the other benefits of composite decking, this comes at a premium – composite decking products tend to be more expensive than their timber equivalents but it certainly provides value for money in the long run.