Re-designing your garden is not a job that you'll want to do regularly, so it's important that you get it right, first time! You'll probably spend a lot of time looking for materials that look great and suit your budget, but have you considered how long they'll last?

Let's be honest, you don't want to find yourself in a situation when you used cheap, unreliable decking to build your dream garden, only to find that the whole thing needs replacing in a few years' time. Today we're going to look at the longevity of composite decking to show you why it's a great choice if you're looking for decking that'll last a lifetime!

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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.

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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.

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Here at AlfrescoPlus, we offer a range of capped composite decking boards that require almost no maintenance and are very easy to clean.

Pictured: EasyClean Reserve Dark Roast Composite Decking

These high-quality deck boards are 'capped' with a protective polymer sleeve that keeps out moisture. This ensures that your deck will not be damaged by the rain, plus it means that any spills can be wiped clean with ease.

Pictured: EasyClean Edge+ Sea Salt Grey Composite Decking

Our easy clean decking range includes a variety of different colours and styles. Do you want a contemporary grey deck? Try EasyClean Edge+ Sea Salt Grey. Or perhaps your tastes are a little more traditional - in which case you'll love our EasyClean Edge+ Oak decking boards.

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All of our decking products are low maintenance and slip resistant, with outstanding lifespans. AlfrescoPlus composite decking is also environmentally friendly - learn more here.

Composite decking boards are made using a combination (or 'composite') of real wood and synthetic materials. This manufacturing process results in a highly durable outdoor flooring material that looks just as good as wood, yet requires virtually zero maintenance.

Demand for this product has exploded in the UK recently, with more and more British homeowners deciding that composite decking - also known as WPC decking - is the right choice for them. If you're looking to add a composite deck to your outdoor space, you'll quickly discover that there's an awful lot of choice out there.

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To help you make your decision, here are 4 of the best composite decking products currently available from the AlfrescoPlus website:

TimberTech EasyClean Terrain+ Silver Maple

TimberTech is one of the world's best-known manufacturers of composite decking, and these stunning Silver Maple boards are among their best-selling products. The deck boards are put through the manufacturing process twice, which is what gives them that gorgeous two-tone colour

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DeckPlus WeatherDek Charcoal Decking

With its gorgeous weathered design and dark, stormy colour, this rather arresting product from DeckPlus is sure to make a bold statement in any outdoor living space.

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TimberTech EasyClean Edge Dark Teak

If you want to give your deck a slightly more traditional look, these 'Dark Teak' boards from TimberTech's EasyClean Edge range offer fantastic value for money. The boards are capped with a protective polymer sleeve, so they're highly moisture-resistant.

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EvoDek Grey Decking

If you're on a tight budget, these modern grey deck boards may be the perfect product for you. The hollow boards come with a 5-year warranty as standard, and their brushed texture gives them a great look and feel.

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If none of these products appeal to you, don't worry - there are lots of other composite decking options available here at AlfrescoPlus!

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