Frequently Asked Questions

We are asked many questions about our composite decking.

We are asked many questions about our composite decking. Whether it is about how it is made, why it is so well priced, how long it will last, how it can be delivered, how it is installed, what fixings are used, does it fade? Here we have captured the most frequent that come to mind and if you prefer to just ask us directly to feel free to call. We are happy to chat on the old school telephone and also happy to connect on visual media and show you around our products. We are familiar with most platforms such as FB Messenger, Skype, WhatsApp and Zoom.

About Us, Location and Delivery

Sun Decking Are Suppliers Of Quality Solid Core Composite Decking.

We are based to the south of Brisbane and supply composite decking across Queensland and NSW, and also to Tasmania. We are a family business and we provide personal and friendly service.

We supply a selection of high-quality composite decking products at an excellent value, with personal delivery and support for our customers.

We are a direct sales importer, partnering with an experienced and proven manufacturer to provide our customers with high-quality and great value.

Yes, we do. We only keep popular colours and maintain good levels of stock above 6,000 boards so as a general principle we are able to supply on short notice and for larger installations. Simply call us to check on current stocks if you require some clarity and we will let you know if our immediate stock level will meet your requirements.

If you require a custom board or specific colour for a project we would love to work with you to make it happen. Lead times are approximately 6 weeks, and we can for example specify unique colours, specific size boards, larger screening and fencing projects and building claddings.

Sun Decking is a professional and dedicated family run business supported with operations, accounts and sales functions. As a personal service we are always happy to spend time with you in support of your projects. As a dedicated importing business we trade directly with builders, professional installers and homeowners.

Sun Decking has its office in the Bayside of Brisbane and our main storage for products is Coopers Plains, Brisbane. From our main storage we freight across Queensland and Northern NSW.

Across Queensland and Northern NSW. We are able to deliver nationally if required. We deliver personally to the following areas:

Brisbane CBD and metropolitan areas – Ipswich – Toowoomba – Sunshine Coast – Gold Coast – Northern NSW.

Further afield we work with a reliable freight business who regularly undertake quality composite board deliveries to Cairns – Townsville – Maryborough – Bundaberg – Gladstone – Rockhampton – Mackay – Mount Isa and on to Darwin.

We also regularly arrange consignments to freight south along the coast to Sydney, southern NSW and beyond.

We have the boards in stock and can usually deliver within our region (250km from our store) within a few days. Further afield requires up to a week to undertake freight delivery.

As composite decking suppliers, we work in partnership with two manufacturers in China who develop boards to our specifications. They have a 20 yearlong track record in producing high-quality composite decking boards for export worldwide to over 80 countries and they have a culture of quality and innovation.

Installing quality composite decking

Sun Decking is a composite decking supplier and importer but not registered builders. For deck installations, we can help in several ways. We are proud to supply many specialist deck installation companies whom we know provide a high quality of service and expertise when installing our products. We can recommend them to you but the choice is yours.

Having worked with many quality builders we have a broad understanding of what works and will happily give you our experience and suggestions as to how you might best install your decking most effectively. Give us a call to talk about your project – we are happy to help!

We only recommend fixing any quality composite decking boards with a clip system. Composite decking expands and contracts more than timber and clip systems allow the expansion and contraction to occur easily and without long term damage to the boards. There are added advantages in that hidden clips make the deck look elegant and clean with no screw holes or nails to protrude and much safer for bare feet.

We supply both plastic and stainless 304 clips with screws to fix our quality composite decking – screws are 304 stainless. With plastic clips, a board gap of 5mm is ‘normal’ and allows for screws to be extracted even when the boards are in place.

Our ELITE™ product range can also utilise stainless clips that are designed to fix a deck with 3mm between boards.  This is a personal choice and allows for a different look when the composite deck is laid.  For clarification on the range of clips available please visit our Fixings page.

Composite deck products are not considered structural therefore it is good to understand that they will bend easily when not supported properly. They need adequate support under them with recommended 450mm maximum joist centres and if the area is for heavier use, it can be advisable to make the joists closer. In heavyweight situations or commercial use then the joist can be moved down to 400mm or closer.

The gap between boards using plastic clips is 5mm, this is typical and necessary to enable a screw fixing to go between the boards. We also have stock of stainless-steel clips designed to create a board gap of 3mm. This is predominantly an aesthetic issue.

Yes. Most products expand and contract with temperature changes and composite does more so than timber. It is linear thermal expansion, and most products have a coefficient rating tested to understand how they expand when installed. This is why any installer will leave a small gap between ends of the composite decking boards to allow for any heat expansion/contraction. The expansion can be calculated accurately and there is some advantage in understanding the likely temperature variations on the installation, compared with the temperature at the point of cutting so that the least amount of expansion gap can be left.

Our boards are tested with a coefficient of 0.000042 per ℃ change, which is quite typical of composite boards. This means a full 5400mm board would expand 0.22mm per ℃ of change

The boards are 5400mm long to minimise cuts on the installation. We stock boards that are 23mm thick and a nominal 140mm wide as the thickness provides a good secure board to both fixing and daily use.

This means each board covers approximately .75M2 which can be useful for estimating the likely boards needed on an installation.

With the CLASSIC™ boards, there is a square edge fascia that is 130mm by 10mm thick, this acts as a fascia and is used for composite screening as our CLASSIC™ decking is a solid core product it is possible to rip the rebate off the board to suit your design.  We can provide a board ripping service.

The ELITE™ laminated range has a matching fascia board that is 10mm thick and can be used for decorative finishes as well as a matching low level composite screening.  In addition, we stock a profiled deck board that has a square edge and can be used for framing decks and step downs.

Pricing - quality composite decking and fixings

Whilst we would never say we sell ‘cheap composite decking’ we provide what we believe is outstanding value for the quality of our boards. Our Pricing and individual Product pages have clear prices of all our products.  Follow our link here for a detail on our pricing and feel free to call for a detailed estimate for your project.

There are many! Briefly, the main advantages are reduced maintenance and:

  • Boards will not warp, splinter, rot or be eaten by termites.
  • No need to paint or seal.
  • Ongoing maintenance is the occasional clean and pressure wash.
  • Installed with hidden clips no nails are lifting or screw holes to gather dirt.
  • It can be removed intact and relocated!
  • It is an engineered product that is UV stable and looks great over many years.

The main disadvantage – there can be a higher initial cost for composite compared to timber. Whilst this will be offset easily with the lower maintenance in years ahead. Composite boards also have a completely different look which might not appeal to timber traditionalists.

Our CLASSIC™ range gives customers a real choice between high-quality composite and timber.  Typically, it is almost identical in pricing when you factor in fixings, and ongoing costs associated with timber decks.

For ELITE™ the initial price will be more.   Offset this against no sealing, staining, painting, sanding and the associated time spent over the years ahead.

Product, advantages and disadvantages

Sun Decking ELITE™ brand does not fade because it is laminated with pure polyethylene material and UV stabilisers.  Full Warranty information can be found on our Quality Assurance page.

Sun Decking CLASSIC™ WPC boards will fade in the first three months of installing them in full sun. This is normal and the colour settles to a lighter shade for the longer term. As a result, we provide you with samples that have been in the sun for at least six months so you can be assured of the long term colour you are purchasing.

Yes, they do. Because everything in the Australian summer sun does and composite decking is not an exception. For example, when we test our boards with a digital thermometer in full midday sun they hold at about 65℃. By comparison, a timber deck in the same situation hovers around 60℃. There is of course some variance depending on the location and ventilation available.

Yes, to varying degrees.

CLASSIC™ composite decking has characteristics similar to traditional timber.  Placing caps or felt pads prevents scratching and preserves the beauty of your new deck.  Marks do not in any way degrade the integrity of the solid core product.

ELITE™ laminated composite boards have a harder outer shell to mitigate scratching so the product will stay pristine longer.

No. The composite material does not mould because it is an inorganic product as opposed to timber which is organic on which mould spores can live and grow. If the boards get mould on them, it is generally as a result of mould growing on dirt build-up and can be resolved by pressure washing/cleaning.

Yes, absolutely. Composite decking absorbs very little water and will not rot in constant wet or damp conditions. Ideal for pontoons, pool surrounds saltwater environments and uncovered areas.

At this point, we do not, although we recognise they can provide advantages in weight and cost. We are constantly working with our manufacturers to assure ourselves of their longevity and durability.  We have replaced decks made with poorly manufactured products, in particular ones with square hollow sections.

Warranty And Technical Ratings

We provide a warranty for the CLASSIC™ and ELITE™ of fifteen years. Warranty details can be downloaded from our Quality Assurance page.

ELITE™ rates P5 for commercial use in outdoor public areas providing the highest level of wet slip protection.

CLASSIC™ rates at a very high P3, just below commercial grade, so providing a safe grip for general domestic use when wet.

Wood-plastic composite products are all combustible and therefore vulnerable to ember and other wildfire exposures (though the deck can be designed to minimize exposure to embers). As a general comparison they will self-extinguish and are less combustible than a merbau timber.  Our product warranty range does not cover fire damage. But you are warranty covered from a split, splintered, rotten, or termite damage deck for 15 years. This applies to the ELITE™ and CLASSIC™ products. Fire testing technical details are as follows: Bfl S0 as ISO 9239-1 at ≥ 11kw/m. Testing to AS3959 Appendix F.

Incidents not covered by warranty include ‘Acts of God’ (fire, flood, lightning), incorrect installation, damage from solvents, scratches and dents, mould due to lack of cleanliness, and colour fade of the CLASSIC™ composite.

Water absorption rates are negligible. For instance, the elite decking only suffered 0.5% absorption after 28 days of immersion.

Own a property on the Australian east coast and looking for quality, affordable composite decking?