Synthetic or Hardwood Decking?

Even though winter hasn’t really made its presence fully felt yet, the optimists amongst us are looking beyond the frosty mornings and the dark evenings. Those of us who love to socialise are already thinking about spring time when we can get out in the garden to get it in great shape for the summer ahead. No matter whether your garden is a postage stamp sized piece of concrete or an acre of stunningly landscaped kitchen and flower gardens, a deck is a great asset that will potentially change your life.

When it comes to planning your decking, there are several things you’ll need to take into account, however one of the biggest dilemmas that our clients face today is whether to choose synthetic or hardwood decking. Like most things in life, there is no right or wrong answer to this dilemma that fits every client across the board, so in this article, our plan is to outline the pros and cons of each so you have the information to hand to help you make this decision. However, if you really don’t want to make the decision yourself, you can of course get in touch and we’ll walk you through the decision-making process.

We think that the best place to start this article is by defining exactly what we mean by synthetic and what we mean by hardwood. Once we’ve done that we’ll go through: the look, the cost, durability, fitting and maintenance of each. We’re pretty confident that by the time you’ve read through this article you’ll have a tendency towards one or the other and will feel happier about making your choice.

Synthetic and hardwood decking – what do those names mean exactly?

Synthetic decking, as the name suggests is a man-made decking solution that’s often made from recycled materials. Cleverly developed today so that it looks extremely like the real thing (ie. hardwood), many people reject it as ‘fake’, but if you think this way; think again. Synthetic decking is a good looking, hard wearing and easy maintenance decking option that doesn’t break the bank. The only word of warning we have to give about synthetic is make your choice carefully because, like everything else in life, there are good and bad options available on the market. We particularly like these UPM Profi Composite decking boards because they are a great all round and stylish synthetic alternative.

Hardwood decking, also as suggested in its name is decking that’s made from hardwood and nothing else. Typically hardwood decking will be made of the likes of Teak, Ipe, Balau or Iroko.

What about the look?

There’s no getting away from the fact that if you want a highly natural looking decking option that will change as the seasons change and age with dignity as the years pass, you can’t beat hardwood decking. That said, if you want a coloured deck that has a matt or gloss finish and that provides a highly modern addition to your architect designed home, then synthetic is certainly worth investigating.

What’s the difference in price?

Like all things in life, you can pick up cheap synthetic decking as easily as you can get your hands on cheap hardwood decking. At the other end of the spectrum you can pay an arm and a leg for either option, but which really represents best value for money? On a like for like basis, you are likely to be able to pick up a high quality synthetic or hardwood decking option that fits your budget, so in reality, price is unlikely to swing your decision on this dilemma.

Is one more durable than the other?

With the right care and attention, a hardwood deck will last as long (and possibly even longer) than a synthetic deck. However, one of the key differences between the two is revealed in this sentence – the right care and attention. There’s no getting away from the fact that synthetic decking demands significantly less care and attention than hardwood decking. So, as you will see below, when we talk about maintenance, it’s important to be honest with yourself when you choose your decking. If you’re a bit lazy on the maintenance front, synthetic decking will withstand your reluctance better than hardwood.

Is either easier to fit than the other?

Fitting any sort of decking relies on having the right plan, the right tools and the right preparation. So, when it comes to fitting your deck, once again, you shouldn’t let ease of fitting swing your decision.

What about maintenance?

Maintenance is where the real differences between synthetic and hardwood decking become most apparent. Synthetic decking asks for a simple brush down and maybe a hose down from time to time, but little else. Hardwood decking on the other hand needs to be protected from the elements on a regular basis and kept free of mold and algae which can make your deck slippery and can cause damage if left in place. While none of these hardwood demands are hugely time consuming, there’s no getting away from the fact that if you want to keep your hardwood deck looking great for many years you can’t avoid them. So, when you’re making your choice between synthetic and hardwood deck, be brutally honest with yourself about how much time you’re prepared to invest on maintenance.

Here’s an ‘at a glance’ summary of the differences:

If you’d like help to get your decking project “spot on”, why not get in touch? We’d love to hear from you.

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FAQ

What are the main differences between synthetic and hardwood decking?

Synthetic decking is a man-made decking solution often made from recycled materials, while hardwood decking is made from hardwood like Teak, Ipe, Balau, or Iroko. They differ in terms of look, price, durability, ease of fitting, and maintenance. Synthetic decking is modern-looking, has a wide price range, is durable with low maintenance, and is easy to fit. Hardwood decking, on the other hand, has a natural, timeless look, has a wide price range, is durable with the right care, is easy to fit, but requires mid to high maintenance.

How does the look of synthetic decking compare to that of hardwood decking?

Synthetic decking is developed to look extremely like hardwood, often having a colored deck with a matt or gloss finish providing a highly modern addition to your home. Hardwood decking, on the other hand, provides a highly natural looking option that will change as the seasons change and age with dignity as the years pass.

Which type of decking is more durable: synthetic or hardwood?

With the right care and attention, a hardwood deck will last as long (and possibly even longer) than a synthetic deck. However, synthetic decking demands significantly less care and attention than hardwood decking, thus, if maintenance is a concern, synthetic decking might withstand neglect better than hardwood.

How does the ease of fitting synthetic decking compare to hardwood decking?

The ease of fitting either synthetic or hardwood decking relies on having the right plan, the right tools, and the right preparation. So, the ease of fitting shouldn’t necessarily swing the decision to choose one over the other.

What are the maintenance requirements for synthetic and hardwood decking?

Synthetic decking asks for a simple brush down and maybe a hose down from time to time, requiring little else. Hardwood decking, on the other hand, needs to be protected from the elements on a regular basis and kept free of mold and algae. While not hugely time-consuming, these hardwood demands are unavoidable to keep the deck looking great for many years. So, when choosing between synthetic and hardwood decking, the amount of time you’re prepared to invest in maintenance should be considered.