For thousands of years, marble has been sought-after as one of the most popular and heavily desired materials to build with. 

From Ancient Greece right up to the modern-day, marble has been a classic option that delivers a timeless look that makes any indoor or outdoor space look stunning. However, as marble is a natural stone, it carries several disadvantages that more modern materials such as porcelain do not. 

So, what's the answer? Porcelain slabs that look like marble of course. In this blog, we take a look a closer look at some of the porcelain slabs that look like marble that we have in our collection and why these are a better choice than traditional marble products.

More...

As with most things in life, when it comes to the decking in your garden, you most certainly get what you pay for.

With an abundance of deck options available to choose from, it's very easy to go wrong and pick a deck that not only looks sub-par when installed but doesn't last very long at all, forcing you to rethink your plans and ultimately costing you even more money to replace it.

However, if you take some time out to plan properly and research which decking type is best for you, you can avoid this problem altogether. 

One of the many deck options available to choose from is composite decking, often regarded as the gold standard of decking boards but as a result, often comes with a larger price tag compared to traditional forms of decking such as timber and plastic but is it worth the cost? 

In this blog, we take a closer look at composite and why many homeowners believe it is worth the price it commands.

More...

If there's one thing about living in the UK that you should be prepared for, it's definitely the bipolar weather and unusual amount of rain we get throughout the year. 

This is also something that you need to keep in mind if you ever plan on redesigning your garden and more specifically your patio, as you'll want to make sure the tiles you install are able to withstand anything thrown at them.

Over the years, more and more homeowners are opting for porcelain when it comes to their exterior floor designs but is porcelain a good choice for the UK weather? Are porcelain tiles too slippery for the rain? Well, if you're interested in finding out, AlfrescoPlus is here to help!   

More...

With winter now in the rearview mirror and spring right on our doorstep, it is the perfect time to start thinking about those much-needed home improvements that you've been avoiding over the last few months. 

One of the most common ways that homeowners spruce up their properties is to improve their outdoor living areas, in particular, adding a deck. Why? Well, a deck offers great versatility in its use and adds an extra dimension to your garden that is constant for years to come. 

But before you build a deck in your garden, there are a few things that you'll need to consider. Not sure what they are? AlfrescoPlus are here to help! 

More...

Composite decking has steadily grown in popularity over the last decade, however, there are still some myths and rumours out there that discourage people from adding it to their gardens. In today's blog, we're going to debunk some of the most common myths and show you why composite decking is an excellent choice for your garden.

Composite decking looks like plastic

Absolutely not. This rumour might have been true around 10 years ago when composite decking hit the western market for the first time, but over the last decade manufacturers like DeckPlus and TimberTech have worked tirelessly to create boards with a charming real-wood appearance. 

Nowadays the quality of the composite decking available on the market is much higher, the colours are richer and more natural and the feel of the decking is grained like real wood.

One of the great benefits of composite decking is that it can be made in a much wider variety of colours than natural wood including grey and black. While these aren't 'natural' looking colours per se, they do still have the wood grain finish that makes modern composite decking a realistic alternative to wood.

Composite decking is expensive

Yes and no. Compared to cheap plastic decking and some softwood timber boards, composite decking is on the pricier side. But as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. 

Spending a bit more money on composite deck boards means you'll get low-maintenance, durable decking that won't crack, splinter or warp. The composite decking we offer comes with a 10-year warranty as a minimum. So, while you might spend more money upfront, you'll know you're getting boards that'll last for years to come.

Composite decking is not environmentally-friendly

While some people think that composite decking is bad for the environment because it contains a polymer, the opposite is true! Lots of composite decking, including the deck boards we supply, is made of recycled materials. DeckPlus and TimberTech pride themselves on creating composite decking with a combination of reclaimed wood that would've otherwise ended up in landfill & post-consumer/post-production plastics. 

Timber boards can only be made with whole planks of wood, meaning that thousands of trees are cut down each year. For that reason, composite decking can be considered a more eco-friendly alternative to real wood.

Learn More: Eco-Friendly Composite Decking

Composite Decking is hard to maintain

Lots of people hear horror stories about the level of maintenance real wood decks require and assume that the same must be true for composite decking. In reality, composite decking requires a fraction of the maintenance! 

Composite decking is manufactured to contain resin and (in some cases) a protective polymer sleeve. These plastic elements help to make the boards waterproof, and they prevent the boards from discolouring in the sun. For that reason, composite decking doesn't need sanding, staining or sealing every year! All composite decking needs is a quick wipe over with soapy water to remove surface dirt - what could be easier.

So there you have it, some common composite decking myths debunked! Take a look at the composite decking we have to offer by clicking the button down below. If you have any further questions, give us a call on 0800 028 8756.

Shop Composite Decking >