How Long Does Decking Last?

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How Long Does Decking Last?

This article will summarize the longevity of various decking options including softwood, hardwood and composite. Feel free to contact us with your questions.

How long does decking last? With adequate maintenance, most species of softwood can last for around 15 years. Many composite brands can last for over 25 years. This is rivalled by some hardwoods, yellow balau, iroko and ipe.

Traditional Wooden Options

Wooden decking remains a popular investment among our clients.

Client feedback suggests the low upfront cost coupled with the natural texture and grain patterns remain strong selling points.

British decks are typically derived from a select group of soft and hardwood species. Popular softwood species including pine, redwood and cedar. While hardwoods are often sourced from oak and larch. While the quality of suppliers may vary, the TDCA (Timber Decking & Cladding Association) seal of approval is a safeguard of note.

Wooden decking does require more maintenance. This may include sealing and staining every 2 years, clearing debris and replacing split deck boards as needed. Following this routine will allow your wooden deck to last for 15 years.

Durable Hardwoods

There are a class of durable hardwoods our team recommend too.

While not British in origin, they can be sourced from local suppliers such as Timbmet in Faringdon. These include Iroko, Ipe, Cumaru and Yellow Balau, pictured above.

Yellow Balau, or Bangkirai, is among our favourites. Sourced from Indonesia, balau is a dense, durable material with a warm, golden brown aesthetic. All wood types require extra care. In doing so, these hardwoods can last for around 25 years.

Composite Decking

Composite decking entered the market in the early 90’s. The Trex Origins range was the forerunner in the evolution of new decking options. Composite decking was billed as an easy maintenance, non-slip, durable decking surface. Suppliers we work with are:

Trex

Millboard

Timbertech

Cladco

NeoTimber, Composite Prime & Dino Decking

While these manufacturers produce modern, sleek designs they also recognize the appeal of wood. In doing so they strive to emulate the natural grain patterns and texture. Millboard’s Enhanced Grain and Weathered Oak ranges illustrate this perfectly.

These options typically have a shelflife of around 25 years. This can be extended with capped composite decking.

Capped Composite Decking

Second generation composite is capped for added durability. Capped decking is covered by a polymer shell, making it more resistant to staining and seasonal extremes. Our deck experts expect capped composite to last for 25-30+ years.

While some companies, such as Trex, cap every deck board others do so for select products. NeoTimber, for example, only cap their Advanced and Deluxe grades. It’s always worth double checking with your supplier of choice.

At Oxfordshire Decking we offer a comprehensive landscaping service and work with Britain’s leading suppliers. We can help you decipher the benefits and price points of various surfaces including turf, artificial grass, paving and decking.

In closing, the lifespan of your deck is an interplay between materials, maintenance and the environment. Whether you’ve chosen traditional or exotic wood or composite options, you need to offer adequate care and attention to ensure it stands the test of time.

Affordable Composite Decking Solutions

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This article will outline a handful of affordable composite decking brands our team love to use.

Some clients who express an interest in a new composite deck find the cost prohibitive. While premium brands, including Trex and Millboard can be expensive, there are high quality composite options that are attractive, affordable and durable.

This article will briefly summarize NeoTimber, Dino Deck and Eva Last.

NeoTimber

Our first recommendation is NeoTimber. Based in Loughborough, NeoTimber provides cost effective solutions without compromising on quality.

Their grades include Deluxe, Advanced, Classic and Essential. Their range of colours include grey, teak, chocolate and charcoal. NeoTimber products come with a 25 year residential warranty and our teams seal of approval.

Dino Decking

Broadly defined, Dino Decking’s grades are divided into Classic and Premium options.

These grades feature a distinct pallette of colours, Stone, Ash, Amber and Savanna. Dino Decking is another affordable decking option that offers a great balance of value and style. Claim your free sample pack at DinoDecking.co.uk.

Eva-Last

Eva-Last are Africa’s leading decking brand. The company pride themselves on producing sustainable, composite building materials sourced from materials including bamboo. Today they distribute their products, inc. cladding and fencing, to 35 countries.

Eva-Last’s primary grades are Apex, Infinity, Eva-Tech and Pioneer. These boards come in Western Red Cedar, Brazilian Teak and Alaskan Driftwood colours and a 30 year warranty.

As with all reputable composite brands, these options are fade resistant, low maintenance and durable. Although prices can fluctuate through the year, and suppliers will vary, we’ve found these brands offer outstanding value for money.

The team at Oxfordshire Decking have worked with every major brand on the market. We offer both online and in person quotes for the materials of your choice. Please reach out to us with your inquiries.

Wood vs Composite Decking?

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Wood vs Composite Decking: Which is Right for You?

In the landcaping industry many debates rage. Artificial grass or turf? Tarmac or concrete? Finally we ask, wooden or composite decking? In this article, we’ll compare the cost, durability and maintenance of each to help you make an informed decision.

This article will briefly summarize:

The Pros and Cons of wood and composite

Various species of wood and composite brands

A brief history of composite decking.

A cost benefit analysis

Our team offer decking in Oxford, Bicester, Banbury and through the county of Oxfordshire. Feel free to reach out to us with your comments and questions.

The Benefits Of Wood

Remodeling Magazine’s annual report has consistently ranked wooden decking as a lead investment for homeowners – Edging its composite rival in successive polls. The principle selling points of wood are cost, natural aesthetic and texture.

The natural warm tones of wood create a welcoming, homely atmosphere. Wood can be around 15-30% cheaper too. Although of course, this can vary as there are various species of hardwood and softwood such as redwood, oak, yellow balau and iroko.

The Benefits Of Composite

The origins of composite decking date back to the 1990’s. Billed as a solution to the shortcomings of wood, composite is a blend of composite and wooden fibers making it resistant to fade, rot and insects. Today a variety of composite products are on the market including PVC and capped supplied by brands including Millboard, Trex and NeoTimber.

Cost/Benefit Considerations

With fluctuating seasonal prices and inflation in mind, we’ll resist offering firm figures on any materials. As noted above, wood can be up to 30% cheaper than composite options. How do these options trend as a long term investment?

With regular staining and cleaning, the cost of wood maintenance can add up over time. The lifespan of wood can be around 20+ years. Iroko and balau species are arguably the most durable species. Composite brands often endure for over 25 or 30 years.

Purchasing wood may offer a more affordable option upfront. However, that saving is mitigated by maintenance costs and lifespan when compared to composite brands.