Thoughts on composite decking these days?

[Joonyer]

Hi all

Searched a bit on here and found some mixed thoughts on value vs benefit, so wondered what the general consensus is these days.

Moved in here in June, decking was already an absolute mess. Clearly did it themselves, as the cuts and joins are god-awful, with some dire "patch-up" jobs, gaps all over the place, very rotten bits etc.

They also clearly didn't look after it, beyond trying to paint it - leaving the grooves filled with rolls of peeled paint, which I've spent a while scrubbing out with a wire broom.

I was going to treat it and get another year out of it, but I think it just needs ripping out and doing from scratch.

I like the idea of composites for being low-maintenance, but is it worth it? If I go for wood, is it just a case of a light pressure-washing followed by staining each spring? Because if so, that may be the better choice.

Thoughts?

thanks
Matt

 

[britishboy7]

Cant offer any advice Matt but interested as we too are trying to decide between wood decking and treating it every year, or composite. I power washed and treated the wooden decking we inherited last summer, looked a treat for a month or so, but now its already looking pretty tired and hardly has any traffic on it (Its down side of the house). I guess I was expecting the treatment we put on it to last a couple of years at least

 

[Joonyer]

Cant offer any advice Matt but interested as we too are trying to decide between wood decking and treating it every year, or composite. I power washed and treated the wooden decking we inherited last summer, looked a treat for a month or so, but now its already looking pretty tired and hardly has any traffic on it (Its down side of the house). I guess I was expecting the treatment we put on it to last a couple of years at least

I know what you mean - especially if it's prone to catching rain and not getting much sun.

To be honest I think I'm going to go composite. Buy cheap/buy twice as they say. Worthwhile investment if it just needs a quick blast with the Karcher each spring (any excuse to use that thing is welcome).

When I work out where I'm buying from I'll drop back in and let you know!

Cheers
Matt

 

[britishboy7]

I know what you mean - especially if it's prone to catching rain and not getting much sun.

To be honest I think I'm going to go composite. Buy cheap/buy twice as they say. Worthwhile investment if it just needs a quick blast with the Karcher each spring (any excuse to use that thing is welcome).

When I work out where I'm buying from I'll drop back in and let you know!

Cheers
Matt

Just had a spare hour in work so been looking at composite fence panels too, and decking. Think I'm definitely going to go down the composite route, will save so much time (and money) in the long run...

Tricky part now is actually designing the garden, and working out what I want where

 

[Joonyer]

Just had a spare hour in work so been looking at composite fence panels too, and decking. Think I'm definitely going to go down the composite route, will save so much time (and money) in the long run...

Tricky part now is actually designing the garden, and working out what I want where

Sounds good mate! If you're in the Midlands I have a good friend in landscaping so can always hook you up if needed.

Matt