Composite decking myths are still being talked about even though it has been an outdoor solution over twenty years. Despite its popularity, there are still lots of myths floating around which can put people off from purchasing it. In this article, we take a look at some of the most common misconceptions about composite decking to show you why composite decking is an excellent choice for any home.
NOT eco-friendly – NOT low maintenance – NOT natural looking…. Really?
3 Composite Decking Myths
#1: It has an unnatural, plastic finish?
If you’ve never seen composite decking up close and personal, then you might believe the myth that composite decking looks rather unnatural. Before we go to explain how composite decking is made to look just like wood, we want to allow you to see our beautifully wood-like composite decking for yourself.
When composite decking first hit the market around twenty years ago, it did gain a bit of a bad reputation for having an ‘unnatural’ look. Nowadays, we use more advanced manufacturing processes to create composite decking boards with a realistic wood effect. Now you can choose from a huge selection of wood grains and colours that look just as natural as the real thing.
#2: It requires a lot of maintenance
This is something that people often think, but it’s simply not true! It’s easy to understand why someone who’s only ever experienced timber decking would believe that any kind of deck would be high maintenance, but that’s where composite and timber decks differ.
Natural timber decks require a hell of a lot of work if you want to maintain their structure and colour. Left without a stain or sealant treatment, timber boards can suffer from water ingress, start to fade and eventually split and crack. This creates an unsightly and sometimes dangerous surface that would undoubtedly put anyone off having a deck installed again. To keep a timber deck looking its best, an annual sand, stain and seal treatment is required.
In comparison, composite decking requires a fraction of the work to keep it looking pristine. The colour and texture of composite decking are preserved without demanding a rigorous maintenance routine. For that reason, composite decking is a great upgrade if you want to move away from high-maintenance timber decking.
#3: It’s not eco-friendly
When people find out that composite decking is made using a combination of wood and plastic, they instantly assume that it’s not an eco-friendly option, but here at Assured Composite®, we are dedicated to sustainably making our decking.
Some decking companies may use newly-manufactured materials to create their composite decking, but we use reclaimed materials from other production sites to create environmentally friendly composite decking. Most of the plastic and wood fibres that go into composite decking are waste materials from other industries that would otherwise have been sent to landfills.
We work to strict regulations that monitor the emissions we produce to the top standards so you have nothing to fear.
There’s one more myth that we cover in detail here, is composite decking slippery?
So now you know the truth about these composite decking myths, we hope you can make a more informed decision about your decking purchase. Call us today on 01163 500 893 or email info@assuredcomposite.com.