New Ekodeck decking project

Hi people,

I'm about to build a new deck approx. 5 mts x 2.5 mts attached to my "she-shed".

I'm loving the idea of low maintenance 10 yr warranty product called 'ekodeck'.

I used to be a diehard timber girl but I'm asking if anyone has used this product as I'd like to get some feedback before I choose materials.

With thanks.

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Comments

Isobel

The no oiling or painting is definitely a strong hook. But I also love the look of real timber. Personally I would embrace the fact that it's not "real timber" and therefore go with a bold colour rather than trying to go for a timber look. I like the first option here - Greystone - it looks great...

Trying

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1312#Comment_1312

Hey Isobel, thanks for your comments - I do love the look of those grey boards but I must stay with the 'timber' colours to match up with the tones of the 'she-shed'. I think 'she' will like that better than the grey tones,especially when the large pots I have already painted a rich terracota colour are in place. I do like your eye for strong colours,so hope you won't mind if I seek your advice again some time. Cheers. Trying.

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/62933#Comment_62933

@Trying

G'day kid

Love your thread title, & your sense of humour. : )

Now for some serious advice from a bloke who's been there, so listen up. *waves finger

If you like the grey, go with the grey & don't let "she" rule your life. You give in now, & "she" will walk all over you forever.

You can take a softer approach on your large pots, just grow cascading thingsy in 'em.

Hope this helps

John

Trying

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/93947#Comment_93947

Hey Andy Mann, hilarious!! The lattice around the base of the 'she-shed' (cabin) was finished yesterday so now 'she' has her skirts back on and looks mighty fine. Her colours are cream and (dare I say it) mission brown so you see why those beautiful grey boards won't make either of us happy.But thank you for your help. Cheers

Trying

Spring is almost here and happy me !! Today we started digging the holes for the foundations of my new deck ! For any that may be interested I decided to go with 'Ecodeck plus' composite boards using the hidden fastening profile system Quickfix. My earlier enquiry couldn't find anyone who had used this system before amongst Workshoppers. If anyone has experience with the system now, I'd love to hear from you. I really am a timber girl, but I'm thinking of the maintenance factor and I must say - the boards I've chosen (red rock ) look mighty fine. Can't wait, so excited! Unfortunately from here on in I'll only be supervising. Cheers

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1810#Comment_1810

@Trying, lucky lucky you, the reason I couldn't shine any light on our Ecodecking experience, is because we can't afford it. 😉

Be sure to post pics of your lackies sweating it, a selfie you watching on your deck chair, & the finished product.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1810#Comment_1810

Good luck with the project @Trying. I'm looking forward to seeing progress shots, and the final result.

Jason

Baz

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1810#Comment_1810

I will also be keen to see it. The idea of a deck that doesn't need regular oiling sounds very appealing. I am about to go through the process of sanding mine back before oiling again which is going to be a big job.

Henno

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63180#Comment_63180

Hi guys, I'm just about to go crazy and spend a kazillion dollars on stuff called Millboard. Our reno/money pit down the coast is getting two new decks adding up to about 60sqm and we want to relax on the deck, not have to maintain it.
This stuff looks like old decking, but comes in other styles and colours as well, has all the qualities of plastic (yeah, I said it). It is recyclable, which makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, and it is a composite which means it hasn't been sourced from some rainforest. It also has this nifty system of screws which disappear under the decking as the plastic closes over it when inserted into the deck.
Anyway, let's cut the good vibes back to a minimum and enjoy those well-earned frothy beverages overlooking the beach.
Millboard here I come!

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94122#Comment_94122

All the very best with the decking project @Henno. Please share some progress shots and the final result when you can. It sounds like an interesting material.

Jason

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94122#Comment_94122

@Henno, brilliant find mate, I'd never heard of it, so Google came to the rescue. 😉

I have to say, it may seem seem expensive (from Whirlpool forum), but you do get a lot for the money. Apparently it's been around for quite a while overseas, though not that long here, but the 25 year warranty should ease doubts about its longevity.

When you mentioned the self-healing properties when fixing with the stainless nails, I had my doubts, but word has it that it does do it. Very impressive indeed.

Put your feet up, enjoy your hard earned frothy beverages for many years to come on your maintenance free deck, & take in the goodness that your investment will continue to reward. Very happy for yah mate.

Kellie

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94122#Comment_94122

I like this one - driftwood

Henno

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113394#Comment_113394

This is the one I've chosen Kellie. Got a thumbs up from my builder today who said it's dropped in price by 20% in the last year.
It's difficult to see it in real life, but there's a contractor opening a showroom in Sydney soon, so we should be paying him a visit in the next couple of weeks.

Ajmod

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124276#Comment_124276

Hi everyone! I'm also considering using ekodeck for the outdoor area of a rental property. The area is quite small and ideally i would like something durable and low maintenance which is why i am leaning towards the composite decking over Merbau. I have heard that ekodeck has issues with getting really hot (to the point of barely being able to walk on it) in the summer time though when temperatures are 30+ degrees. Has anyone had any experience with this?

BIM_Engineer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131555#Comment_131555

Hi Ajmod
That is a good point... material manufacturers don't always share engineering properties
ie. ( mechanical, chemical, thermal etc....) and AFAIK there are no AS codes?

These are composites made from cellulose-based materials and thermoplastics and they are materials used in insulators..
As an engineer I rate materials in order of selection by
1. Engineering properties
2. Maintenance and durability
3. Appearance
4.5 etc,etc

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131555#Comment_131555

@Ajmod thanks for bringing up the heat issues, I hadn't delved into it enough to know that. We have serious heat issues with artificial turf, it's a virtually unusable play area for our pets in summer.

I had dreams of using @Henno's Millwood as sleepers, but I will have to rule it out if it also has heat issues. 🙁

Brad

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94122#Comment_94122

A rival has claimed that choice of colour can vary the temperature by 25c

Henno

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113395#Comment_113395

Guys, I don't have too many issues with heat as both our decks will be covered. However, I was able to lay my hands on a sample and did some tests, hoping to prove some things to myself. The roughness of the product seems to help dissipate some of the heat and spilling beetroot on it doesn't seem to affect it terribly. I guess if a deck is going to be outside you should look to put some sort of cover over some portion of it. 25C is indeed an issue, but I guess getting a sample is the only way of proving it for yourself. Give it a smashing and ask the hard questions of the supplier...

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124277#Comment_124277

All good @Henno, even if it's only lightly shaded, you'll be fine mate, it's the direct heat that's the killer.

If it passed your beetroot test, then that's also a good sign. Not that I'm one to fuss over everything outside here, I like the lived in look. 😉

BIM_Engineer

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124277#Comment_124277

@Henno Being in Perth I am more concerned with the UV index and skin protection therefore for me retractable roofs & screens are a great idea we love the indoor/outdoor feel, other advantages are
1. offer privacy when required
2. protective screening from winds and sea breezes
3. Security

4. Heat displacement

5. Lower energy costs

6. Contaminant particle screening ie mineral sands
etc,etc
LOL..IMO there are literally thousands of home indoor/outdoor entertainment areas along the coast here that could do with a re-design aesthetically, healthwise and structurally.

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131558#Comment_131558

Warning: Be prepared to be hit by a truck, of semi serious humour (get it?):

@BIM_Engineer, the whole concept of the indoor/outdoor lifestyle is lost on me, & maaaate, you stress too much.

If I want to step outside & find that it's stinking hot, I either step back inside for the comforts of our private, insulated, solar powered air-coned home, or go for a swim.

If I haaaaave to go outside & face the blazing sun, I put a hat on (not a good look, picture Aussie hillbilly with straw in mouth).

If it's windyish outside, I stay inside, or my hat blows off.

Hot Northerly winds here in SA aren't comfortable, kinda like a mega-sized heat gun, & even I am not stupid enough to face that (again). 😳 😉

And finally, we don't have hour glass figures, live by the sea, or watch "Days of our Lives", so the sand contaminent particulates aren't an issue for us.

I'm not going to sit on the fence (Henno made me do it), but I'm not a fan of climate controlled heating or cooling (other than ceiling fans), for outdoor entertainment areas that have cafe blinds, & zero insulation.

Next thing you'll want is a fly-free Australia, & there'll go our famous Aussie salute, along with cork dangle hats & genuine body odour that men worked all day for, & were proud to share it.

Henno

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94122#Comment_94122

Bad news guys. Seems that Millboard doesn't have the BAL rating I need to complete my project! Soooo, I'm now on the hunt for a new type of decking. Pain in the @r*e!
No character-laden decking out there that matches Millboard. It also has to have a BAL rating!
Anyone have an idea for me? I'm looking for something in a light grey colour and I'm open to any ideas.
BAL rating must be 12.5 or above and hopefully the supplier is in NSW.
My builder is looking for an answer in a few weeks and I'm running out of ideas...

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113468#Comment_113468

@Henno, here's a clear coat for timber, could that be suitable for composites?

Timber Defence

Henno

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124320#Comment_124320

Thanks Andy. I'll look into it, but really, isn't it defeating the whole purpose of buying composite decking?
This BAL12.5 rating is about equivalent to dropping a bumper on the floor and putting it out with your shoe.
And I don't even smoke! I'll keep "Googling" (is that really a word?) and hopefully come across something down the track.

Andy_Mann

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131586#Comment_131586

@Henno, it's an unknown whether it will work with composites, but being a semi-matt clear coat (I had to dig deep to find that much out), I figured it might be worth a look. Perhaps contact one of the suppliers, & put the question to 'em.

I completely understand your frustration, some regulations seem determined to cover low IQ knuckleheads, & everyone has to comply with the idiocity. It's like road authorities installing speed bumps in a street, because of occasional petrolheads breaking the law. Yep, good problem solving making locals suffer those things every day, & the peanut then finding another route nearby to carry on with his dangerous antics. 😣

the lower denominator ood luck mate

Trying

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/1810#Comment_1810

Roll on Summer. The new deck is done -complete with roof, fridge,furniture,dry creekbed and garden. The party starts tomorrow with Christmas drinks. Today I cleaned the deck to be ready for tomorrow. It was dusty,had workboot footprints (from the sparkies I think) loads of birdpoo plus bark and leaves from surrounding trees. This was the first proper clean I have done. Soft broom sweep, warm water on sponge for birdpoo, then squeezemop with warm water over all the deck. No oil,cleaning products,etc.,.ECODECK is wonderful ! Came up looking brand new,no marks or stains anywhere. I love this product ! Photos to come. I'm waiting for the true test tomorrow when the hungry hordes arrive to gallop all over it. Merry Christmas Workshoppers.

Trying

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63562#Comment_63562

Hi again all workshoppers. A quick up- date on my Ekodeck. It's been in use for over 12 months now and has seen the usual wear and tear of happy people in summer by the river. And, of course, food and alcohol ! But I couldn't be happier. I cleared and swept the deck before using warm water and small amount of dishwash liquid to wash away all marks and bird poo. A stiff brush removed stubborn spots then I rinsed with clean water and dried with a squeeze mop. I have done this three times in the year, each time takes about 1 hour. The deck surface is 2.5 x 5.4 metres and I also sweep it when necessary. Apart from a small paint splash ( by the contractor ) the deck still looks new and I just love it ! No scraping, no scrubbing and no re-surfacing with stain. Just sit back and enjoy !

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94644#Comment_94644

Thanks for the update @Trying. Great to get long term feedback like this, I’m sure community members appreciate it.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94644#Comment_94644

By the way @Trying, do you have any photos of the deck that you could share? It would be great to see it.

Jason

Trying

Hi all, apologies for this late update but my phone was lost for a time. Pics are of my composite deck after over 12 months of happy hours and hours and hours.....Enjoy!

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