DECKING
WHY COMPOSITE DECKING IS NOT ALL MADE EQUAL
Composite decking has become a go-to specification across the UK’ s landscape and urban design sector, offering the visual warmth of timber without many of its long-term liabilities. However, not all composite products perform equally— and understanding the differences is critical when designing for durability, compliance, and lifecycle value.
Why designers are moving beyond timber In the UK’ s wet, variable climate, timber decking presents well-known challenges. It requires regular treatment to resist moisture, rot, and UV degradation. Over time, boards can warp, splinter, and become slippery— raising both maintenance costs and health-and-safety concerns.
What composite promises— and where it differs High-quality composite decking addresses many of these issues. It is engineered to resist moisture, fading, and structural movement, while offering low maintenance— typically limited to periodic cleaning. Advances in manufacturing now deliver more authentic timber aesthetics, making composite suitable for all design schemes.
But performance varies significantly depending on how the product is made.
Material matters
• WPC( Wood-Plastic Composite): A mix of wood fibres and plastic, where performance depends on material quality and the fibre-toplastic ratio, as wood fibres remain prone to moisture absorption.
• Bamboo PE composite: Increasingly seen as a premium option due to its strength, stability, and rapid renewability, making it a more ecofriendly alternative.
• PVC-based boards: Lightweight and durable, but may have shorter span capabilities, influencing substructure design.
Capped vs uncapped Capped boards include a protective outer layer that improves resistance to staining, scratching, and weathering. Uncapped boards are more economical but less durable over time.
Profile and structural performance Board design directly affects installation and longevity:
• Hollow boards: Lightweight and cost-effective, but vulnerable to moisture ingress
• Solid boards: Stronger, heavier, with better span performance than hollow boards
• Scalloped boards: Developed to address the drawbacks of hollow cores while still reducing material compared to solid boards.
• Engineered profiles: Innovations from Eva-Last including the patented Infinity I-Series board that has revolutionised the bamboo PE composite market, offering an optimised, cost effective, lightweight board, with the span capabilities of solid boards. It also prevents moisture ingress and offers better surface heat dissipation. APEX’ s bamboo PVCfoamed board, offers a solid board that is lighter weight, with an acrylic capping that offers excellent slip resistance, cooler underfoot and an beautiful aesthetic.
The takeaway For UK projects, specifying well means understanding materials, profiles, and performance claims— ensuring the product selected aligns with environmental conditions, usage demands, and whole-life value.
For more information on Eva-Last, visit www. eva-last. co. uk
68 www. landud. co. uk Follow us @ ludmagazine