Decking Article Part 2

Garden Wood & Composite Decking Article Part 2

Part one of the Decking article concentrated solely on Wooden decking boards and the various options that were currently available within the UK market.

Alternative Decking products ?

There are however a number of alternatives to wooden decking now available, increasing in popularity and driven by Low maintenance and Low slip attributes, COMPOSITE AND PVC decking products have made their way onto the shelves of the Decking retailers.

The main advantages are as follows

• Increased Slip resistance.
• Relatively Low Maintenance.
• High level of durability.

Hollow Composite Decking

1. The 1^st product that we have tested became available roughly ten years ago it is branded as a “ Hollow composite Decking board “.

 

The verdict on hollow composite decking

When the hollow composite decking board became available it was a fantastic alternative to conventional wooden decking boards with good esthetics, easy installation and relatively low maintenance. However one issue that soon became apparent with this particular type of hollow decking is the fact that it excessively expands and contracts on both the width and the length of the boards.

Whilst still a good alternative to wooden decking it is felt that there are a number of superior products in this price bracket, hollow composite decking has become a little bit dated.

 

RATING

( Highest Rating 10 Lowest Rating 0 ) 

Cost Effective      6

Aesthetics            8

Slip Rating           6

Maintenance        6

Durability              5

 

Overall                  31

 

 

 

2. The 2^nd product that I have come across and had experience with over the last year or two is the contemporary PVC Decking range.

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Our opinion of PVC Decking

PVC Decking has proven to be an excellent alternative to the hollow composite decking with very little expansion and contraction it more than fits the bill. In roughly the same price bracket the PVC contemporary decking range offers a lot more, with excellent anti-slip rating and very low maintenance. If I could pick any issues with the PVC deck boards I would say that esthetically this product does not give a wooden plank appearance and therefore will only satisfy those looking for a more contemporary look and feel.

      

RATING

( Highest Rating 10 Lowest Rating 0 ) 

Cost Effective       7

Aesthetics             8

Slip Rating            10

Maintenance       10

Durability             8

 

Overall                  43

 

     3. The next product that we are comparing is a composite Decking board manufactured by an American company the product is branded as a Trex Composite Decking board. Trex is marketed as a Premium Composite decking product.

Our opinion on Trex Decking

We have displayed Trex in our display centre in Swansea South Wales for a number of years. The product stands up in more ways than one and does exactly what it claims to do . It looks good, it is easy to maintain and needs very little upkeep. Trex as a manufacturer has been developing this brand of Wood decking alternatives for over 20 years. Hence they are able to offer a 25 year Trex Limited Warranty in all residentiai areas with 10 years commercialy.

If there was one negative aspect related to the Trex product it would be the increased cost. The boards work out around twenty percent more expensive than their PVC counterparts. 

 

RATING

( Highest Rating 10 Lowest Rating 0 ) 

 

Cost Effective      5

Aesthetics            10

Slip Rating            8

Maintenance       10

Durability             10

 

Overall                  43

 

For further information on the Decking products highlighted in this article give us a call on Swansea ( 01792 ) 884828. Or alternatively call down to our Composite decking display centre in Swansea South Wales. ( Junction 48 off M4 Llanelli Turnoff ). Or visit our website at www.dgheath.co.uk

The information about Decking Article Part 2 appeared first on DG Heath.

Decking Article Part 1

 

Part 1 Wooden Decking Boards

With Summer fast approaching I have decided to write a Decking article, it will take the form of a three part editorial highlighting the vast array of Garden Decking boards and Decking products that are currently available within the UK.

Wooden decking is still a very popular choice with the British home owner however there are now alternatives available in the form of Composite & PVC Decking products. The areas that I will be highlighting in the decking article will hope to answer questions such as “ What is composite Decking, What are the advantages of PVC & Composite Decking, is composite decking cost effective and what are the current market leaders highlighting the pros and cons.

For now however lets concentrate on the natural wooden decking boards that are currently available as these are still by far the most popular choice when looking to deck a garden.

 

1. The 1^st Garden Decking product that I am going to highlight is Wooden softwood decking.

 

 

Wooden softwood decking has been a firm favourite within the UK market for a number of years still offering the most cost effective alternative to hard Landscaping products. There are a number of grades in wooden decking with the most durable decking product being the Waxed & Tanalised Deck board in a 125mm by 38mm

 

RATING

( Highest Rating 10 Lowest Rating 0 ) 

 

Cost Effective       10

Aesthetics             8

Slip Rating             2

Maintenance       4

Durability             5

 

Total                    29

 

The one issue that consumers have with wooden decking is  that wooden decking needs to be maintained which can be quite time consuming. Also if not maintained properly wooden decking is prone to becoming slippery. However there are grip strips available that can be inserted into the Wooden deck plank to give it slip resistance.

 

 

2.  Wooden Decking with a Rubber Insert

 

​​​​​​​​​​​​As a Low-Slip alternative to wooden deck boards Rubber Insert decking boards are an option. The decking board is a slip resistant product combining EPDM rubber and pressure treated softwood. This results in a wooden decking product that is both attractive and colourful offering alternative to traditional timber decking but also a safe slip resistant surface in wet or dry conditions.

The rubber certified and has a 15 year guarantee against rot and fungal decay, this is however subject to correct installation and treatment of cut ends.

This product is also rated as 'low potential for slip' tested to BS 7976 part 2 and is ideal for commercial areas.

 

RATING

( Highest Rating 10 Lowest Rating 0 ) 

 

Cost Effective      6

Aesthetics            6

Slip Rating            7

Maintenance       6

Durability             6

 

Total                  31

 

 

3. Anti – Slip Wooden Decking boards

 

 

This particular design of Wooden decking board will resolve the issue of wooden decking boards becoming slippery when wet, a resin insert is manufactured into the decking board to give a fully anti-slip surface. This is a solution to one of the major issues associated with softwood wooden decking boards. However this particular style of wooden decking board does come at a significantly increased cost.

 

RATING

( Highest Rating 10 Lowest Rating 0 ) 

 

Cost Effective      4

Aesthetics            8

Slip Rating            10

Maintenance       6

Durability             6

 

Total                  32

 

4. Hardwood Decking

 

There are a number of Hardwood wooden decking options available for purchase within the UK. The most common Hardwood deck tends to be Balau. Balau decking is an Indonesian hardwood with a reddish or yellow brown colour this is however dependant on the species. The misconception that a lot of consumers have with Hardwood decking is that it will remain its original colour.

This is not the case as ALL wooden decking boards will go a weathered grey colour without prior treatment.

 

RATING

( Highest Rating 10 Lowest Rating 0 ) 

 

Cost Effective      4

Aesthetics            9

Slip Rating            6

Maintenance       6

Durability             7

 

Total                   32

 

 

I hope that you have found the article useful, if you require any further information on Wooden decking or decking products either give us a call on Swansea  ( 01792 ) 884828 or visit our decking design and display centre at our Swansea South Wales Depot.

 

My next article will focus on the different types of composite Decking products that are available for sale in the Uk at the present time highlighting any pros and cons.

The information about Decking Article Part 1 appeared first on DG Heath.