Landscape & Urban Design Issue 40 2019 | Page 67

DECKING
significant fade under UV light. It is
also recommended that the boards
are laid on a fall to avoid water
sitting on the surface and increasing
the likelihood of the growth of
algae. Although the lifespan of
the material is short, the higher
maintenance means higher lifetime
costs of the of the deck.
HARDWOOD DECKING
Pros
Hardwood has beautiful, rich
colourways often graces the pages
of glossy design magazines. Robust
and durable with a high strength
to weight ratio, it’s easy to cut
and work with. Hardwood is a
more premium option for timber
decking and appeals to a certain
demographic.
Cons
As a premium material, Harwood
carries a much higher initial cost
than softwood. Like softwood, it is
also absorbent so prone to staining,
rotting and splitting and will fade
under UV light. Hardwood also
requires regular maintenance,
means higher lifetime cost of the
deck. Hardwood decking will need
to have continuous airflow under
the boards.
HOLLOW WOOD PLASTIC
COMPOSITE
Pros
Hollow composite boards are now
readily available online from many
importers. The product carries a
low to medium cost and requires
less maintenance than timber. The
boards are generally finished in a
reversible profile with repetitive
colourways.
Cons
Hollow boards tend to have a
weaker structure with a low weight
load ratio. The need to be laid on a
fall to avoid water collecting inside
the boards, as this can cause the
boards to shatter if it freezes in the
winter. As most of these products
are manufactured overseas, this
can lead to inconsistent supply
and batch problems. In addition,
there tends to be little regard
to the provenance of the raw
materials, and the warranty offered
is generally relatively short for a
product that is supposed to outlive
standard softwood timber.
Image © David Barbour
SOLID WOOD POLYMER
COMPOSITE (WPC)
Pros
Hugely popular with designers and
homeowners alike, solid WPC boards
give both architectural and modern
contemporary aesthetics. These
boards are very robust with a high
strength to weight ratio.
Boards produced by British
manufacturer Ecodek are
manufactured from 95% recycled
and sustainably sourced raw
materials and are 100% recyclable.
Solid WPC like this is resistant to
algae and mould growth, and will
not rot, warp or splinter. They are
virtually maintenance free with low
potential for slip.
Their extruded manufacture ensures
consistent colour and dimensions.
Cons
Solid WPC does have a medium
entry initial cost compared to other
decking already discussed above.
An applied woodgrain affect does
not replicate a natural finish as well
as natural timber.
It is clear to see that decking
materials vary widely, so can suit
all budgets, design and personal
preferences.
Busy lifestyles mean time to relax
can be precious and choosing a low
maintenance surface really can
make all the difference to someone’s
down-time.
www.ecodek.co.uk
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