Outdoor living spaces have become increasingly popular in recent years as more of us look to make the most of our gardens and outdoor areas. Decking is one of the best ways to create a functional and stylish space for entertaining, dining, or simply relaxing outdoors. Composite decking offers a low maintenance, splinter-free, and weather-resistant solution perfect for modern gardens.

What is Composite Decking?

Composite decking has revolutionised outdoor living spaces and gardens across the UK. It uses a mixture of wood fibres, plastics, and polymers to create a durable decking material that requires very little upkeep compared to traditional wooden decking options. The result is an easy-to-maintain, splinter-free decking solution that can withstand the Great British weather!

Benefits of Composite Decking

There are numerous advantages to using composite decking in your outdoor space:

Low Maintenance

Unlike traditional timber decking, composite materials do not need staining, sealing, or regular sanding and treatment to upkeep their good looks. The colour runs through the entire depth of the boards, making scratches and wear less noticeable over time. You can enjoy your decking area with very little required maintenance.

Splinter-Free & Safe for Bare Feet

Composite decking contains no actual wood, so splinters are never an issue like they can be with natural timber alternatives. This makes composite decking ideal when you have little kids or pets running around barefoot outside.

Weather & Slip-Resistant

Composite decking is designed to cope admirably with the temperamental British weather. It won't warp, crack or become dangerously slippery in rain or snow like some timber options can. The boards are durable in extreme heat as well.

Realistic Wood Looks Without the Upkeep

Modern manufacturing means that quality composite decking boards can capture the look and feel of natural wood extremely well. You get the visual appeal you want without having to regularly stain, seal or treat your outdoor space.

Types of Composite Decking

There are a few different options when choosing your composite decking boards:

Capped vs Uncapped

Capped composite decking has a protective outer shell for increased protection against fading, stains, scratches and other damage. Uncapped decking relies entirely on the internal material composition for protection instead. Capped is preferred for high traffic areas.

Hollow vs Solid Core

Hollow composite decking boards have - as the name suggests - a hollow space inside to reduce material requirements while maintaining strength. The more premium solid core boards use more dense composite throughout for increased durability. Hollow boards are cheaper but may be less suited to commercial applications.

Designing Your Composite Deck

Once you've weighed up the different composite decking options available, it's time to design your refined outdoor living space. Things to consider:

Complementary Materials

Think about combining your composite decking with trendy deck features like built-in lighting, stylish planters, pergolas, and outdoor kitchens or bars. Using composite decking alongside granite, stone, Corten steel, or cedarwood cladding can work extremely well for a contemporary garden aesthetic.

Layout & Size

How you layout your deck is key to maximising functionality whilst allowing space to move comfortably around outdoor furniture. Think about multi-level decks to add visual interest whilst catering for sloping gardens. Good access to the home should also be factored into your plans.

Personal Style & Purpose

An outdoor kitchen setup works well for keen cooks and hosts, whereas built-in garden sofas or dining areas make better use for families wanting room to unwind together outdoors. Let your hobbies, taste and lifestyle shape the deck's purpose within your available space.

Bring Composite Decking into Your Outdoor Living Space

We hope this guide gives you a great overview of the possibilities composite decking introduces for contemporary outdoor living spaces. With incredibly low maintenance requirements and great design flexibility, composite really is revolutionising how people extend their living spaces outside. For quality composite decking boards at competitive prices, check out the extensive range available from Ecoscape. As one of the nation's leading suppliers of composite decking in the UK, Ecoscape offers a wide variety of decking solutions to suit all budgets, gardens and designs. Check out Ecoscape's Composite Decking Range Here

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