Termites eat wood, and if you're unlucky enough to have these pests in your home, their ferocious appetites may result in extensive structural damage.

Fortunately, termites are quite rare in the UK - they tend to prefer warmer climates than ours - but they are occasionally brought into this country in imported goods. For example, wooden furnishings that are manufactured overseas may be infested with termites, which can cause a lot of problems when they arrive in Britain.

Traditional wooden decking is highly vulnerable to termites and other wood-eating insects, so if you're thinking of adding a deck to your garden, you may be worried about what could happen to it in the unlikely event of a termite infestation.

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Here in the UK, it can be blazing sunshine one minute and freezing frost the next. As such, the features you have in your garden need to be able to withstand the constantly changing conditions! 

The problem with real wood

The reason why real wood is known for being terrible at coping with changing weather conditions is that it absorbs so much water!

Unless you commit to keeping your real wood decking properly sealed (which takes a lot of work, annually) then you can guarantee that it will take on water and suffer the consequences sooner or later. Once the wooden boards have taken on water, they are susceptible to damage from significant temperature rises and drops.

If the water inside the deck boards freezes, it expands - causing the boards to splinter and crack. In unusually warm temperatures residual moisture in the boards evaporates quickly causing the boards to contract.

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When you're shopping for outdoor flooring products, you can't beat the authenticity of 100% wood decking.

Or can you? Tropical hardwood decking is certainly attractive - few would deny that. But those beautiful boards have their downsides, and depending on your priorities, composite decking may be a far better bet for your outdoor space.

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Advances in outdoor design have seen decking materials come on leaps and bounds in the last 20 years, leaving old deck technology behind in the rear-view mirror as outdoor relics of the past.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the time and/or money to stay on top of decking technology, often leaving an aging aesthetic in growing need of updating with each passing year.

For those that have yet to update their decks, the time will eventually come when a deck replacement is needed, as colours fade and boards weaken.

Sadly, time waits for no man and the same thing applies to decking. If you’re considering a deck replacement, here are a few things you might want to mull over before you commit.

Do I Need a Deck Replacement?

Depending on the size of your outdoor space and, more importantly, the decking area you need to replace, a comprehensive deck replacement can be a costly endeavour.

If you’re considering a replacing your decking due to the aging aesthetics and maturing condition of the deck boards, you might want to look a little deeper into the problem.

Upon closer inspection, you may not require a full-scale deck replacement at all. In fact, you may even be able to re-use some of your existing features, provided they are still in healthy condition.

Most deck frames are made of treated materials specifically designed to last for decades. Provided your existing structure is made from treated wood and not rotting, you may be able to re-use it.

Remodelling your existing structure with new decking, rails and stairs can breathe new life into an otherwise sound structure, saving a chunk of time and money in the process.

That being said, if rot has taken hold and key structural elements are beginning to weaken – such as the posts, joists and beams – you may need to throw in the towel and start from scratch.

Taking the Plunge

When it comes to deck replacement, the power of change can have a huge impact on your outdoor space, in terms of appearance, enjoyment and practical use.

In fact, revamping your deck boards can make a massive difference to the overall aesthetic, particularly if you opt for a notably different design.

Simply switching up the colour scheme can instantly revolutionise your garden in terms of personality, providing a welcome change to the established norm of before.

You may even find that the change of dynamic changes your living habits, providing additional motivation to get outside and make the most of your outdoor space.

What’s more, upgrading from a traditional decking material to composite decking also brings with it a myriad of practical benefits that allow you to enjoy your outdoor space like never before.

Upgrading to Composite Decking

Composite decking is inherently hard-wearing, requiring minimal upkeep. No longer will you be required to spend your Saturdays staining and treating the boards to maintain their vibrant hue; a simple annual jetwash will do just fine.

Additionally, composite decking is also extremely capable under a number of elemental demands, resistant to hot and cold weather alike, as well as abrasions. Composite decking will never split or splinter, nor will it warp or fade.

Meanwhile, capped composite decking in particular also boasts extreme moisture-resistance, making any worries of spills and stains a thing of the past. So, the next time the weather is fine, there are no excuses to spark up the BBQ or enjoy a few drinks in the open air.

For more advice on deck replacement or additional information on composite decking options from DeckPlus, why not speak with our customer care team today? Call now on 0800 028 8756 or get in touch online by clicking the link below.

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When it comes to choosing which composite decking is right for you, choosing between the tried and tested solid option and the new hollow alternative can be a tough choice.

Both offer a variety of benefits in their own right that give them the upper hand in certain areas, but which one wins out overall?

Let’s find out as we take a closer look at them both in this ‘hollow vs solid decking’ head-to-head!

Solid Composite Decking

Available in a variety of designs and colour, solid composite decking comes in two primary forms: capped composite decking and uncapped composite decking.

Standard non-capped composite decking offers extreme durability, providing a long-lasting aesthetic that requires very little maintenance and upkeep.

Slip and stain resistant, each board is fundamentally designed to withstand the demands of the outdoors and is more than capable of handling a number of man-made obstacles as well, be it a family barbeque or a lively social gathering.

Meanwhile, capped composite decking offers all that and more, with the added benefit of enhanced moisture protection in the form of a protective polymer sleeve.

This gives each capped composite deck board an extremely low porosity, making them virtually impermeable to moisture, giving them added protection against stains and slips.

Perhaps most attractive of all, all solid composite decking comes with a 25 to 30-year warranty, with capped option even including fade and stain cover as standard.

Meanwhile, both are made from a combination of recycled hardwood and synthetic material, making them extremely eco-friendly.

Hollow Composite Decking

While it may have some big shoes to fill, hollow composite decking has a number of unique perks of its own.

Perhaps most obviously, an immediately noticeable difference between hollow and solid composite decking is the price tag that comes with them.

Hollow composite decking is notably less expensive than its solid counterpart, due predominantly to the fact that it uses less material by design.

Each hollow composite deck board features multiple hollow channels running through each plank, meaning they use considerably less material. This makes them extremely environmentally friendly, even more so than the solid version.

Despite the hollow composition, hollow composite decking is still inherently sturdy and hard-wearing, never requiring any wood treatment yet still providing all the stain and fade resistance of its solid competition.

They also provide a comfortable, lightweight surface to walk on, which can be preferable to some over the bulkier rigidity of the solid decking.

That being said, perhaps the main drawback of the hollow version in its battle with its solid opponent is the warranty. Hollow decking warranty is typically 5 to 10 years, as opposed to the 25 to 30 offered by the solid version.

Which is Better?

While both are designed for low-maintenance outdoor enjoyment, providing a wood-look aesthetic without the drawbacks of genuine timber, each option can make a solid argument (no pun intended) that puts them ahead in the opinion polls.

Solid composite decking has the edge in terms of long-lasting durability and variety of design; however, hollow composite decking is extremely eco-friendly and has a particularly attractive price point.

If budget is tight and cost is a concern, hollow decking will win all day, every day. However, if money is no object and long-lasting durability is top of the agenda, capped composite decking will long reign supreme.

Which Decking is Right for Me?

When deciding which is better for you, it can often come down to the wants and needs of the individual.

It’s worth considering your future plans when choosing which decking material is right for you. After all, would you buy top-of-the-range tyres for a car you plan on selling in a month’s time?

If you plan to stay in your home for the foreseeable future, it can make perfect sense to invest in a deck that lasts for decades to come.

Meanwhile, if you plan to relocate within the next decade, it may not be worth investing in a solid deck that’s designed to last 30 years.

Whether you want to use hollow or solid decking for your garden project, we have a huge range for you to choose from. All of our composite decking ranges are manufactured to the highest standards. Did you know you can now purchase everything you need including deck boards, trims and fittings directly through our website? Shop now!

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