Decking isn’t just a highly practical garden option; it’s also a really popular way of making the most of your outdoor space. A great way to compensate for an uneven or terraced garden or just a way of creating a superb outdoor living, dining or relaxing space, a deck is quite simply an excellent investment.
When it comes to deciding what type of deck would suit you best, one of the most fundamental decisions you’ll need to make is whether you plump for a composite deck or a hardwood deck. To help you decide, we’ve put together this guide that will explain both and give the pros and cons of each option.
What is composite decking?
Composite decking is a man-made decking option, typically made from recycled plastic and wood products, such as sawdust, which are bonded together with adhesive and stabilisers to create a substance that looks just like wood. Some of the composite decking products available nowadays are so cleverly made that you need to look pretty closely to see that they’re not in fact wood. That said, it is important to point out that this type of decking is not a natural product.
Composite decking is made in a whole host of different grains and colours that are made to look like wood as well as a range of different widths and lengths.
Why do people choose composite decking?
Composite decking is a popular choice because a good quality composite deck will look convincingly like wood, but is lower maintenance across the board. The main advantage of composite decking is that there’s no sealing or ongoing maintenance required, which makes it very appealing to certain people. What’s more, composite decking won’t fade, warp or cause you to get splinters in your feet, and it’s eco friendly.
What about price?
Although composite decking is pretty much the same price as hardwood decking there are savings to be made in the long run because you won’t need to invest either time or money on maintenance.
So why doesn’t everyone choose it?
The answer to that is simple: because it’s not natural. Eco-friendly it may be, low maintenance it may be, but one thing it will never be is natural.
What is hardwood decking?
Hardwood decking, as the name suggests is decking that is made from hardwood. Woods such as teak, ipe, iroko and cumaru are all commonly available hardwood decking timbers. Made from quality timber that is responsibly sourced, this natural and hardwearing option is the real deal.
Why do people choose hardwood decking?
The answer to this question is simple: because it’s a natural product that has taken years to grow and looks and feels like what it is; real wood. Most people who like natural products accept that anything that is natural requires maintenance for it to stay looking good. All of that said, maintaining a deck isn’t a particularly high maintenance job. In most cases, if you clean and re-seal your deck once or twice a year, that’s all that’ll be required.
What about price?
As we’ve already mentioned, the difference in purchase price between a high quality composite deck and a hardwood deck is minimal, making a hardwood deck a really good investment. Agreed there is ongoing maintenance to consider, but when you take into account the naturalness and the amount of time it takes to grow timber of this sort of quality, the price seems particularly reasonable.
Why doesn’t everyone choose it?
Like all things in life, some people choose composite decking over hardwood in the same way that some people choose simulated leather over real leather. The world would be a much less interesting place if everyone chose the same thing all the time and it’s no different when it comes to decking!
Making the right choice for you
Whether you choose composite or hardwood decking will depend to a large extent on how much you value natural products over man-made products as well as how important a low maintenance option is for you. Whichever you choose, it’s important to do your homework and make sure you get the best possible quality at the best possible price. In order to do so, it’s a great idea to create your “wish-list” and then shop around both on the high street and online to make sure you sniff out the very best deal.
Side by side
Features | Composite Decking | Hardwood Decking |
---|---|---|
What is it | A man-made decking option, made from recycled plastic and wood products | Decking that is made from hardwood like teak, ipe, iroko, and cumaru |
Appearance | Looks just like wood, available in a variety of grains, colors, widths, and lengths | Natural, hardwood texture and appearance |
Maintenance | Low maintenance, no sealing or ongoing maintenance required | Requires regular cleaning and re-sealing once or twice a year |
Durability | Doesn’t fade, warp, or cause splinters | Highly durable and hard-wearing |
Eco-friendliness | Made from recycled materials | Made from responsibly sourced timber |
Price | Same as hardwood decking, but maintenance costs are lower in the long run | Same as composite decking, but ongoing maintenance can add to costs |
Why choose it | It looks like wood, is low maintenance, eco-friendly, and doesn’t warp or cause splinters | It’s a natural product that looks and feels real, and the quality of timber makes the price reasonable |
Downsides | It’s not a natural product | Requires ongoing maintenance |
FAQ
What is composite decking?
Composite decking is a synthetic decking option, typically made from recycled plastic and wood products such as sawdust. These components are combined using adhesive and stabilisers to create a substance that visually resembles wood. Composite decking comes in various grains, colours, widths, and lengths, which are designed to mimic the look of real wood. However, this type of decking is not a natural product.
Why do people choose composite decking?
Composite decking is popular because it resembles wood but requires less maintenance. It doesn’t need sealing or any other maintenance tasks, which makes it very appealing. Furthermore, composite decking won’t fade, warp, or give you splinters, and it’s eco-friendly.
What about the price of composite decking?
The initial cost of composite decking is similar to that of hardwood decking. However, savings can be made in the long term due to the lower maintenance requirements.
What is hardwood decking?
Hardwood decking is made from hardwoods such as teak, ipe, iroko, and cumaru. This type of decking is a natural and durable product made from responsibly sourced, high-quality timber.
Why do people choose hardwood decking?
People choose hardwood decking because it is a natural product that provides a genuine wood feel. The main consideration is that natural products generally require maintenance to preserve their appearance. However, maintaining a hardwood deck is not particularly labor-intensive, typically only requiring cleaning and resealing once or twice a year.