Composite Decking V's Timber Decking

​When planning your new deck, one of the key decisions you will make is what deck boards to use.
​The most popular options are WOOD or COMPOSITE.
The choice you make will impact your budget, aftercare requirements and the style, size and longevity of your deck, so it is important to weigh up the pros and cons of each. 

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INTRO TO WOODEN DECK BOARDS:

Red Batu Hardwood

​All wooden decking material is a product of nature so naturally there will be a HUGE variation in the strength and performance, colour and texture of each.

There are countless varieties of wooden deck boards to chose from, including:

• Pressure treated timber e.g. Spruce, Pine
• Premium softwood e.g. Cedar, Siberian Larch
• Hardwood e.g. Finger-jointed European Oak, Machiche or Mayan mahogany 
• Tropical hardwood e.g. Ipe, Batu

There is a massive difference in the cost and availability of each, E.G. Ipe Tropical Hardwood is much more expensive, has to be imported from Southern or Central America but lasts 50 years as where pressure treated boards will cost €15 per board, are readily available but have much shorter life span. 

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INTRO TO COMPOSITE DECK BOARDS:

Composite (Fiberon) Deck

Similarly, composite decking comes in several forms; ranging from solid PVC plastic, to solid composites using 100% recycled plastic, to products that blend plastics and natural wood or bamboo fibres.
There are approximately 500 different brands of composite to chose from, including: Millboard Flooring, Teranna Ever-Deck, TREX, Fiberon and TimberTech.
All 500 brands are not created equally and come with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Prices can range from €35.00 to €180.00 per board. 
When deciding on which composite to construct your deck from will need to consider; budget, style, texture, colour, the environmental impact, availability and your personal preference.  

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Pressure treated timber deck

Composite (TREX) deck

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Pressure Treated Timber - PRO's

• ​​Looks natural - because it is natural!
• Most budget friendly option available
• Can be painted any colour
• It is flexible and can be easy to cut up and rearranged in to new styles and layouts

TREX Composite - PRO's

• Superior durability and performance
• Lower maintenance - requires an occasional wash with soap and water. 
• Never needs staining or painting or oiling
• Resists termites
• Won’t rot, warp or splinter
• 25 year residential warranty 
• Environmentally friendly - made from 95% recycled material
• Slip resistant
• ​Lots of colours to chose from
  
• ​Can be curved to add eye catching aesthetics and functionality to your deck. ​​

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Pressure Treated Timber - CON's

• ​High maintenance - apply stain and sealer annually 
• Slippy when wet (and, we're in Ireland)
• Wood will splinter​ and rot
• Discolouration: it will be affected the elements, e.g. stained from sun
• ​Much shorter life expectancy 
• ​Not environmentally sustainable 
• ​Limited colour choices
  
• No warranty on material

TREX - CON's

• ​Initial investment is usually higher
• Stock not as readily available in Ireland, may be longer lead-times ​

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What's Martin's Opinion?
Q. "If you were building a new deck for your own house, what product would you choose?"
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A. "A good quality composite, like TREX or Millboard, everyday of the week!
Especially considering the Irish climate. The risk of a slippery surface or splinters in a wooden deck is far higher than a slip, split, splinter and rot resistant composite alternative. 
​I completely understand that it's larger initial investment so depending on finances I would be prepared to wait and save a bit longer because a high-performing, low-maintenance composite will cost me farless in the long run. We've installed over $800,000.00 worth of TREX decks and have not had one single call back."

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Pressure treated deck with curve

Composite deck with curve