Merits of composite decking?

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benz1

51 posts

Master Geek

#315643 1-Aug-2024 23:42

I'm currently in the UK and am renting out my house on the North Shore. My property manager has advised that the decks are rotten and need to be replaced. There are upwards of 60m2 of decks, on 3 tiered levels, so we're looking at a reasonably big job to replace it all. I've had issues with the deck before and replaced some rotten timbers just over 3 years ago and I suspect the supporting structure is not in great condition and probably isn't code compliant.

Accepting that it all needs to be replaced, would composite decking be a good choice to avoid such issues in the future (and for lower maintenance)? Are there any other, non-timber, alternatives that are worth considering?

My wife and I are planning to return the NZ next year and move back into the house so if it needs doing, we may as well do it now.

Can anyone recommend any competent builders or decking specialists that would be able to provide a quote for this on the lower North Shore?

Thanks.

rhy7s

623 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3267368 2-Aug-2024 00:07

Are they exposed decks? Or verandahs? In my opinion, decks are pretty useless, too hot or too wet. My parents built a new place using composite and it definitely doesn't degrade as gracefully and remediation or restoration certainly isn't straightforward with a branded system that's not amenable to traditional woodworking methods. We've also got 45 year old wooden verandahs in great condition.

benz1

51 posts

Master Geek

#3267370 2-Aug-2024 00:18

rhy7s: Are they exposed decks? Or verandahs? In my opinion, decks are pretty useless, too hot or too wet. My parents built a new place using composite and it definitely doesn't degrade as gracefully and remediation or restoration certainly isn't straightforward with a branded system that's not amenable to traditional woodworking methods. We've also got 45 year old wooden verandahs in great condition.

Yes, they are exposed. I don't think they were particularly well built in the first place, with no gaps for drainage, etc. I had been waterblasting them every year as they do get quite gross. Would love to not have to do the same maintenance.

rhy7s

623 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3267371 2-Aug-2024 00:21

That does sound like a recipe for maintenance headaches.

Slasher

144 posts

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#3267372 2-Aug-2024 00:46

i have a friend who is a senior at biform composite. could probably answer all your questions and link you with a builder. DM me if you are interested.

SATTV

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#3267382 2-Aug-2024 07:52

We had Outdure composite decking installed last year, has an aluminium subframe and handles outdoor tiles very well.

It does get hot in summer, you cant have bare feet on a sunny day.

In hindsight I would have gone the commercial version as it has pigment all the way through.

I can let you know who installed ours, they were excellent.

I will find their details and let you know.

I will also get some photos and send you.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

johno1234

2805 posts

Uber Geek

#3267395 2-Aug-2024 09:01

My preference is and likely always will be for oiled hardwood. It should last for decades if looked after and looks beautiful. You do need to scrub it down and re-oil it every couple of years.

My wife likes to put things like planters on the deck - the moisture trapped beneath will rot any wooden decking. Avoid.

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
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#3267397 2-Aug-2024 09:08

IANA builder but regard myself as an experienced and very good DIYer. Amongst other projects, over the past 40+ years I have built seven decks for us, family and friends - using pine, kwila and composite.

Ten years ago I replaced our failing timber deck with composite - using the Outdure product with their proprietary aluminum subframe, hidden fastenings and their decking material. Was very pleased with the ease of use and the result.

Nine years ago we bought a new house that has two 6x3m decks - which coincidentally have exactly the same Outdure material as the deck I re-built myself - but on timber joists and subframe rather than the aluminum. These decks are ten years old and honestly they are as good as the day they were built - in all respects. No shrinking, splitting, deformation, colour-change - nothing. Owing to the concealed fastening system they look great. They have required no maintenance at all apart from a scrub with detergent and a short-bristle broom once a year to remove surface dirt - after which they look like new (apart from minor scuffs from furniture feet - but all decks get those).

I’m a big fan of composite decks but they do have one disadvantage. As mentioned in a post above, owing to their density, in full sun they soak up a lot of heat in the summer - to the point where they can get too hot to walk on with bare feet. This is slightly annoying but IMO it is outweighed by all the other positive factors.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

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cddt

1556 posts

Uber Geek

#3267507 2-Aug-2024 12:03

My parents had composite installed several years ago (must be 10+). The first lot shrunk terribly and there was a big kerfuffle as the supplier tried to say it was within tolerance or something - sorry but 5 cm gaps all over the deck is not "within tolerance". Eventually they replaced it and blamed a "bad batch" (??), no problems since then.

As mentioned it can get very hot in the summer sun.

My referral links: BigPipe | Mercury

k1w1k1d

1520 posts

Uber Geek

#3267528 2-Aug-2024 13:17

I built a treated pine deck over a concrete patio about fifteen years ago. Used pine due to cost.

We usually clean and restain it about every one or two years. Boards are full of cracks, especially in the sunny high traffic areas.

It is in full sun and too hot for bare feet on hot sunny days.

Probably wouldn't use pine again.

neb

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#3267572 2-Aug-2024 15:46

Another +1 for the Outdure after having to deal with the constant maintenance requirements of a pine deck, apart from the heating-up issues others have mentioned we've had no problems with it.

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
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#3267818 3-Aug-2024 10:58

k1w1k1d:

I built a treated pine deck over a concrete patio about fifteen years ago. Used pine due to cost.

We usually clean and restain it about every one or two years. Boards are full of cracks, especially in the sunny high traffic areas.

It is in full sun and too hot for bare feet on hot sunny days.

Probably wouldn't use pine again.

So not just composite decks that get too hot for feet.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

eracode

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#3276587 29-Aug-2024 10:00

@benz1 Interested to know whether you made a decision.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.