Composite is a type of decking or flooring made from recycled materials. It’s typically made from a combination of wood fibres and wood pulp, with other additives like plastic and aluminium foil. A composite deck will last for many years longer than traditional timber. In fact, some composites have a lifespan of more than 50 years, while traditional timber lasts around 15 years before it needs to be replaced. There are numerous benefits that come with composite decking. It’s affordable, it requires less maintenance, and it doesn’t splinter when you walk on it barefoot! Let’s take a look at some of the advantages below…
It’s durable and lasts for many years
The strength of composite decking is its greatest advantage. There are many benefits that come with composite decking, but one of the biggest is how strong it is. That means you won’t have to replace your decking for years. As long as you take care of it by cleaning and maintaining it, it should last you a lifetime. While traditional decking can last you around 15 years, that doesn’t mean you should replace it after only a few years. It’s always a good idea to change your decking around every 10 years, just to make sure you’re not putting your family at risk. The problem with traditional wood is that it’s vulnerable to weather damage. If you have a deck made of wood, you have to treat it regularly to protect it from rot and decay, before inevitably replacing traditional wood every few years because it has a short lifespan. It’s not as strong as composite decking, so you’re more likely to experience decay with it.
It requires little to no maintenance
If you want to reduce the amount of work you have to do around your garden, composite decking is the way to go. Traditional wood requires regular upkeep so it doesn’t rot away or become damaged by bugs and critters. You have to sand the wood and seal it every few years so it doesn’t deteriorate and crack. You also have to treat it every year with wood-rotting chemicals so it doesn’t rot away in a few seasons, as well as having to paint your wood every few years to protect it from the elements. If you don’t, it’ll start to fade, crack, and peel. Again, these are all things you don’t have to worry about with composite.
It doesn’t splinter or crack like traditional wood
Another downside to wooden decking is that it splinters and cracks easily, making it dangerous and uncomfortable to walk on. Traditional wood may look great, but it can be dangerous. Even if you paint it, it can still splinter and crack, causing you to walk on it in bare feet. Composite decking is much smoother and, due to a sealant, is much safer to walk across barefoot. However, shoes are still recommended in some instances – such as to avoid slips during or after a spell of rain. The added risk of wooden decking is that in some extreme circumstances, pets or children may swallow the splinters and become ill as a result. Composite decking is smoother and doesn’t have any splinters or cracks, so you can walk on it in bare feet without getting hurt. It’s also resistant to rotting and decaying, unlike wooden decking, which can rot easily when it’s not treated.
You can install it yourself with little to no help
Another benefit of composite decking is that it is much easier to install than traditional wood. If you want to install traditional wood, you have to make sure it’s level and that it has good drainage. You also have to seal it and treat it regularly to protect it from rotting and decaying. You also have to stain it every few years so it doesn’t fade and become less attractive. Composite decking is easier to install because you don’t need to level the surface. It doesn’t need drainage either. You can install it in a variety of ways, including interlocking it, bolting it, or using a premade decking system. Deckorum has a simple, 5-step guide to installing a composite deck – for a stunning garden made even easier.
It’s lightweight and easy to transport
Traditional wood is heavy and can be difficult to transport. Composite decking is lightweight and easy to move around, making it easier to install. You can transport composite decking in the back of your car. You can also move it around your deck using a tool like a hand cart or wheelbarrow, which aids in an easy installation. You can’t do that so easily with wooden decking. It’s too heavy and large to transport, making it more difficult to install. You also don’t want to use a wheelbarrow with wooden decking, because it can damage the wood.
Conclusion
Composite decking is a great choice for your garden because it’s durable, requires little to no maintenance, doesn’t splinter, and is lightweight and easy to transport. It’s also easy to install and much more affordable than traditional wood. With so many advantages, it’s no wonder composite decking has grown in popularity in recent years.
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