What you get with composite
The boards we fit are capped: a dense polymer shell wrapped round a wood-fibre core. That shell is what makes the difference in a Teesside garden. Rain sits on the surface instead of soaking in, so there's nothing for algae to feed on and nothing to rot. Coffee, red wine and barbecue fat wipe off. There are no splinters, which matters if you have children or a dog running about barefoot or not.
It also means no annual sanding, staining or oiling. A hose or a soft brush with soapy water a couple of times a year keeps it looking right. Leaves still fall on it and still need sweeping, but they don't leave the dark stains they do on timber.
How we build it
Composite is heavier and a little more flexible than timber, so the frame underneath has to suit it. We space joists closer together, fix them to a ledger or freestanding beam that's properly level, and leave room for air to move under the deck. Each board sits on hidden clips with the expansion gap the maker specifies, because composite grows slightly on a hot day.
On a sloping garden we set the frame on posts and concrete pads at different heights, so the finished surface sits just below your door sill. We finish the edges with fascia boards and a picture-frame border, so you don't see cut ends or framing timber.
Choosing boards and colours
We bring samples to the visit. Mid-greys and charcoals sit well against the newer brick of Coulby Newham and Hemlington Grange estates, while warmer browns and teak shades tend to suit the red brick of Linthorpe and Acklam. Darker boards get warmer in strong sun, so on a south-facing deck we might suggest a lighter shade. Some people like a contrasting border to frame the deck; others prefer one colour throughout.
We'll also talk about grip. Most good capped boards have an embossed woodgrain that stays grippy in the wet, but we'd still avoid a deck that sits in deep shade under a tree all year if there's a sunnier spot available.
Composite on raised decks and steps
Because composite doesn't need re-staining, it suits raised decks where it would be a nuisance to reach the edges every year. It also comes with step treads, fascias and edge trims in the same colour, so a raised deck with a flight of steps can be finished in one material from top to bottom.
Your questions
Does composite decking expand in hot weather?
A little, along its length. That's normal and we allow for it with the right gaps at board ends and edges, as set out in the maker's fitting guide. Fitted properly, you won't notice it.
Can composite boards follow a curve?
Some can be cut to a curved edge, with a flexible fascia to finish it. It takes longer than a straight edge, so it costs more, but it can look lovely round a lawn or a planting bed.
