We are asked daily about the various characteristics of composite decks, how they compare to wood and what to expect in terms of durability and practicality.
Here we clarify the main benefits and we hope by doing so it helps you to make the best decision for your situation and needs. If you have any questions free to contact us on 0444 545 156, we always are happy to talk decking and our knowledge about different products available and the various options for installation is always free.
These are the main reasons for choosing composite over timber. Installed well then your commitment in the years ahead is limited to keeping the deck clean.
#1 Low maintenance
This is probably the most pressing inquiry that I discuss on a day to day basis ‘Is composite maintenance free?’ A good quality composite deck installed with some care will never require the ongoing maintenance typically associated with a timber outdoor deck. You’ll never need to oil, paint or stain a composite deck to stop it from rotting or splitting and is completely termite proof.
Unlike timber, our composite decking does not bend, twist, swell or splinter as a result of weathering so there will be no requirement to re fix twisted or warped boards. The rebated profile of composite boards is designed for installation without direct fixings so will never need to be ‘re-nailed’ or re-sanded at any point in the future.
#2 Durability
The durability of composite wood decking allows for use in a wider range of more demanding environments. In Australia our sun exposed outdoor spaces require products that can withstand the heat and UV for decades. The typical challenges of poolside decking and salt-water environments fade away as water does not impregnate composite products, it is twice as dense as hardwood and so tough it is used for marine pontoons.
A capped composite has an extra protective layer laminated on the surface and is very resistant to scratching.  We always recommend that you take some care and install feet protection on chairs and tables, particularly if you have metal furniture. One of the best source of furniture protection we have found is at Flexliner engineering who provide a wide range of furniture protection to purchase online.
#3 Aesthetics
Most composite decking has a beautiful timber effect finish that is either embossed or sanded onto the boards. The colours range from rich dark or light timber tones through to various greys and our popular pure white. For bespoke projects it can also be custom made in strong colours such as orange, blue or lime green! Getting creative is easy with options to have separate border colours or picture frames to segregate zones and even intricate insignias. The special hidden fixings allow unlimited options for design layout. And the best thing, it will look similar in ten years as it does when first laid.
#4 Long lasting
“How long will my composite deck last.’ A great reassurance is that composite is a manufactured product with consistent quality so there are no natural flaws or weaknesses that can be inherent in natural timbers. This is one of the reasons composite products can be warranted for a longer period through quality manufacturing. Our boards are warranted for 15 years, and will last longer without any ongoing maintenance.
We are often and rightly challenged with the fact a timber deck can also last 10 or maybe 15 years. This is correct and they can if you or somebody you pay maintains it to a high standard continually and you invest at least once a year in the not insubstantial cost of stains and sealers. Composite simply provides you with economy of effort and money over its lifetime compared to timber.
#5 Cost Efficient
The initial cost for quality solid composite decking can be slightly higher upfront than timber. It is the longevity of the product along with its lack of ongoing maintenance which substantially lowers the ‘whole of life’ cost of your deck compared to timber which requires maintenance. Plus you can avoid the personal time cost and inconvenience of regular maintenance in the years ahead. Our composite decking prices are the best in the market for high quality decking boards making them more affordable.
#6 Safety
Once installed there will never be a situation where you are catching your bare feet on raised fixings with a composite deck, nor dealing with splinters from rotting or raised butt joins. We developed our Elite range of decking boards with a finish that is highly slip resistant at P5, which is the highest Australian commercial standard for a wet slip test. Our Classic range of boards are tested at P3 and whilst not commercial level they are more than secure for general domestic use in the wet.
#7 Environmentally sustainable
Composite decking is a combination of recycled plastic and recycled timber.  Every single 5.4m board we sell contains approximately 7.5kg of plastic from bottles which avoided landfill or a life damaging the marine ecosystem plus 11.5kg of recycled timber reducing the demand to cut down forest for timber decking. This is personally one of the pivotal reasons we started our business as we were looking for sustainable products for our house build.  At the end of it’s life at 15+ years composite is also recyclable! In fact Sun Decking are taking steps now to create a viable route to recycle the materials within composite decking for a third life cycle.
#8 Easy to install
Composite boards have a consistent quality and tolerances that are very accurate. These characteristics save a lot of time on the install, minimising potential problems and allowing for less waste. The hidden clip system also means that it is much faster for a qualified installer to complete a deck. It is also a fairly easy process for a less familiar DIY installer to make an excellent job of their composite decking installation. We personally support many DIY projects and professional tradies to ensure the deck is laid well and gives years of hassle free pleasure.
We have installation information on our website under our Resources menu. Please get in touch if you need any extra advice, perhaps on the right fixing clip for a tricky design idea?
We are based in Brisbane and  Sun Decking are happy to support your decision for choice of decking, provide more detail of the products, estimate acurately for supply and support with any installation queries you may have. We are proud to offer high quality products and personal service and work hard to supply quality with great value. Give Neil a call at: 0444 545 156, or contact us via our  website.
