DECKING
GIVING A GARDEN
A FACELIFT
THAT WILL LAST FOR UP TO 25 YEARS
By Duncan Kingston , Southern Sheeting
As the coronavirus pandemic continues and restrictions on daily life fluctuate , having a great space to entertain in the back garden is in hot demand .
Many builders will be tasked with installing new decking as people look to give their gardens some love , but should you advise them to opt for traditional timber or modern composite ?
This debate heats up every year all over the country as homeowners begin their quest for the perfect garden decking .
Previously timber was the most popular choice , and the big decision was whether to keep the cost down with a soft wood timber or to think about the long-term by using more expensive hard wood .
But now there ’ s a new contender vying for market share – long lasting and designer friendly composite decking . Thanks to technological advances it now looks incredibly realistic .
We all know that high end composite decks look stunning and will stay that way with very little maintenance , but here are some of the key questions your clients will ask and the answers to give them .
What ’ s the difference in terms of price ? Composite decking is now the more cost-effective option over time . While timber decking is typically less expensive to lay initially , especially if soft wood is used , it will need far more maintenance . You can explain to clients that it will require annual treatments of sealant or varnish to keep it watertight , plus treatments to prevent mould and rot .
A timber deck , depending on the type of wood used , has an average lifespan of around 10-15 years , compared that to a composite deck which can often last twice as long . Some composite decking is so weather resistant it is guaranteed for 25 years in residential use .
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