Hi All,
I am currently in the process of planning my deck and would like to know what peoples opinions are on compsite decking. What brand did you use? Pros, Cons ect..
Thanks
Emma
Welcome to Workshop @EmmaBourke. It's great to have you join the community. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your deck plans. It sounds like a great project.
I'm sure Workshop members will be keen to share their advice and experience with you.
You might also be interested in this recent discussion: Deck me please. Workshop member @Trying has recently started a project using Ekodeck, and others have shared their thoughts in the thread.
Thanks for joining in the discussion.
Jason
Hi @EmmaBourke-I've almost finished having my new deck installed using Ekodeck. Bit too early to give you an opinion on certain aspects of this composite product yet, but I CAN say it looks beautiful. Easy to install too. I've easily removed lots of bird poo ( I'm by the river under the gums - bird city!) with a sloppy sponge so no drama there, and if it lives up to the claims re no maintenance etc...,I'll be one happy customer. I'm using the same product as screening around the deck too. It looks good,but the downside is the cost. Expensive to start, yes. But I'm hoping to save on the "no maintenance" aspect. Posting some photos for you,but any questions you may have-I'm happy to help. Cheers
Hi @EmmaBourke, I highly recommend that you heed the hard learnt lesson of @mfree, & follow in the footsteps of our beloved @Trying.
I believe that wood is beautiful, but I've learnt my lesson after making a stunning wooden deck, only to have it devoured by our very appreciative local termites. The positive, is that I didn't have to go through the drudgery of oiling, or staining it.
Visually, oiling wood darkens it, despite what salespersons may tell you. It also needs to be reapplied every 6 to 8 months, which borders on impossible. Not a problem mid-Summer, but try picking a day 6 to 8 months away, that won't have your new application washed away in the next 24 hours. I kept up the regime for years on our Western Red Cedar fence, but after a couple treatment being washed away with unexpected rains, I gave up in frustration. Our prized wooden structure, then weathered worse than Keith Richards, of the Rolling Stones.
The composite decking will definitely cost you more initially, but the long-term benefits over shadow it in terms of peace of mind, & convenience. If I had my time over again, I'd use composite materials, no doubt about it.
Looks great @Trying. How does it feel underfeet?
Many thanks for sharing @Trying. Looking forward to seeing the finished results.
Looks good. Definitely like the sound of a maintenance-free deck.
Will update you @Kermit when the weather here improves. Unfortunately my beautiful river is currently 93 metres above sea level and SES says evacuation may be required. Hope not, but maybe I should have built a pontoon under the she-shed and new deck. Still raining so stay safe everybody. Cheers
My thoughts are with you @Trying, & hope that you're safe & secure in your adorable plot.
Sorry to hear that @Trying. I hope the rain stops and river level subsides quickly. Please stay safe.
Hi @EmmaBourke,
There many pros to composite decking which others have already mentioned and I personally think it's great but here are a few cons to keep in mind.
1. Its expensive (compared to timber)
2. Its quite brittle. Ive dropped something the weighed about 3kg on an ekodeck and a huge hole smashed through it which i'm sure wouldn't have happened with timber. Luckily composite decking is easy to replace.
3. It can get scratched from things such as furniture and is quite visible unlike timber.
4. It can get quite hot when in direct sun. This happens to most surfaces but composite decking gets slightly hotter than timber.
Despite the above, if you have decided that you want to go ahead with it, heres a great video you should watch if youre planning on installing it yourself...
Thanks for sharing @Spudzmckenzy, much appreciated.
Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the Workshop community. It's great to have you join us. I hope you find plenty of useful information, advice and inspiration on the site. I'm looking forward to reading about your projects, too.
Hi @Kermit It feels great! Bare feet - no splinters. Too early to tell much but so far I am one happy, happy workshopper !Cheers
Hello again @EmmaBourke thought you might like a 'deck update'. The screening boards are now being installed as well as the barge boards around the base. The roof is in place with the guttering and downpipes next. It's looking like it's been here all the time. Amazing ! Didn't think I'd be so excited again about some 'timber' and a few nails ! Must plead guilt to a glass of red at sunset already. No sense wasting time at my age !! Cheers
Sounds great @EmmaBourke. Hope you can find time to share a photo or two. Best of luck for Thursday. Cheers.
I suggest the composite deck boards for decking services. You can check the composite decking images:composite deckingcomposite deckingcomposite deckingYou can also view some attractive composite decking images through this link: http://contemporarydecks.net/composite-decking/
Hi all
hope you are well. I am considering decking outdoor area of 5M x 3M. It will be over concrete and next to timber stacker doors, i am choosing a colour similar to timber stain.
I am looking for some insights on what material to use for joists (steel or timber) and have seen from some videos to lay joists over batten which i might do if i go with timber joists.
Does anyone have a materials list etc to share?
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @lalesh_nadi. It's great to have you join us and many thanks for your question.
I trust you'll find loads of helpful information on the community in previous discussions about this topic. You might like to start by reading through this article: How to build a low-level deck by @Adam_W. Within it, Adam discusses various materials used in the construction of a deck. It would also be worth viewing our Top 10 most popular deck projects for inspiration.
You should find these previous discussions on the topic helpful:
We look forward to hearing more about your project and would encourage you to let us know anytime you need assistance or have something to share with the community. I trust you'll find loads of information about decking from within the community as our members are contributing their knowledge and projects here all the time.
Mitchell
Hi @lalesh_nadi & welcome!Really it comes down to what you prefer to work with as both are durable.Have you considered pre-fab product?I've used these guys for our pool decks and then found it made life so simple we used it for our entire house renovation too! You basically just provide the measurements then they come back with plans.Or there is Good Times who do timber deck modular systems which I'm thinking of using myself for a decking walkway.The initial outlay of modular or pre-fab may seem more but you save in the longer term as installation is faster & there is virtually no wastage.
