If you’re in the market for new garden decking, chances are you’ve already been faced with a cornucopia of options from our good friends at Google & Sons Plc.

A simple online search can fire back enough options to leave you feeling like a kid in a candy store; however, before you appease that sweet tooth and put your money where your mouth is, it’s worth knowing what’s what.

So, cash in that golden ticket and join us as we take an unrestricted tour of the decking landscape and put hollow vs solid decking head-to-head.

Solid Decking

Unlike hollow decking, solid composite decking is commonly split into two distinct categories: capped decking and uncapped decking.

While both look visually stunning and provide ample protection against a number of environmental demands, there are distinct differences between the two.

Uncapped Composite Decking

Comprised of a “composite” material consisting of recycled wood and synthetic materials, uncapped composite decking offer aesthetic beauty in a wide variety of authentically stylish designs.

Better still, these blended boards also offer impressive low-maintenance durability that is robust enough to maintain that look for literally decades to come, a fact proven by a 25-30 year warranty.

Slip, fade and abrasion-resistant, these boards are extremely resistant to the elements and will never warp or bow, nor will they ever split, splinter or crack.

Also known as non-capped composite, uncapped decking has sat atop the outdoor flooring landscape as the king of decking since its invention in the late ‘90s.

That is until the arrival of the next decking innovation…

Capped Composite Decking

Capped composite decking is, from a durability point of view, the daddy of the decking world.

Thanks to the protective polymer sleeve that covers each and every board, capped decking boasts unrivalled durability, resistant to even more elemental demands than its predecessor.

Capped composite decking offers everything uncapped offers and more, notably benefitting from enhanced moisture protection.

The polymer sleeve gives each board an extremely long-lasting aesthetic, providing you with the lowest maintenance decking available.

Spills and splashes can simply be wiped clean without leaving a single trace that anything was there. Even red wine and food grease wipes clean instantly!

Meanwhile, the virtually impermeable surface also makes it highly resistant to algae, mould and mildew, providing you with a blemish-free deck that lasts.

Hollow Decking

Outside of solid composite decking, the alternative option is hollow composite decking. A fairly new innovation in its own right, hollow composite decking provides an economical solution to outdoor flooring, while still maintaining a high standard in terms of aesthetics and practicality.

In addition to the impressive natural-looking design, hollow composite decking provides the low-maintenance benefits of solid composite decking at a fraction of the price, due primarily to its hollow structure.

Due to the hollow channels featured through each board, hollow composite decking uses considerably less material. While this conservational approach contributes to the lower cost, it also makes them more environmentally friendly.

The hollow nature may lead you to naturally think that it would impact the structural integrity of the boards; however, this isn’t the case. Each board is still reliably robust and resistant to stains, fades and abrasions.

Hollow vs Solid Decking

While hollow and solid decking have their own perks, from elemental resistance to eco-friendly properties, the choice ultimately comes down to one major difference and that’s pricing.

Hollow decking is considerably less expensive than both its solid counterparts, in some cases boasting a price tag that’s an incredible 75% cheaper. That being said, solid composite decking is a safe investment, with a warranty that guarantees it quite literally lasts a generation.

Perhaps the most important factor that could influence your decision is how long you intend to stay at your property. All varieties of composite decking are built to last; however, the length of the warranties is indicative of just how long that is.

Hollow composite decking typically has a guarantee of 5 to 10 years, while solid composite decking has a considerably longer lifespan of 25 to 30 years. Naturally, the price correlates with this increase, so it pays to be smart when choosing which deck is right for you and your future plans.

If you view your property as a permanent residence you see as your “forever home”, a long-term investment like the capped composite may be well worth it; however, if you plan on moving elsewhere within the next decade, hollow may be the most logical choice.

For more information on hollow vs solid decking, why not drop us a line today? Call 0800 028 8756 now or get in touch online using the button below.

Contact Us

When it comes to advances in patio paving technology, revolutionary breakthroughs are few and far between.

However, when something ground-breaking does come along, it usually more than makes up for the wait (take porcelain paving as proof of that).

Pedestal supports are one such innovation, providing the archaic processes of the paving business with a quantum leap into the 21^st century.

Intrigued? You should be! Read on for the complete lowdown on these awesome innovations.

What is a Pedestal Support System?

An ingenious alternative to cement slab laying, pedestal supports provide you with a uniquely simple way of attaining a level paving surface with little effort at all.

Each pedestal essentially acts as a supportive stump, providing a sturdy pillar for each corner of the pavers to rest securely on.

The process of dry-installation also means your new paving slabs won’t require any time to set, meaning your new patio surface will be good walk on straight away.

Additional Benefits of Pedestal Installation

With no need for cement or adhesive, the pavers are also inherently easy to lift, should you require access to the substrate or want/need to replace any tiles.

The supports even leave room for pipes and underfloor wiring, should any of your outdoor plans involve water provision or electrical hook-ups; e.g. water features, outdoor lighting, etc.

Meanwhile, the void between the paving slab and the ground surface beneath also increases thermal and acoustic insulation.

Adjustable Pedestal Supports Height

With a simple switch mechanism that provides adjustable height, allowing you to achieve a surface height of 28mm to 58mm.

Additionally, there’s even the option to boost the height of your supports with a pedestal extension collar, adding an additional 30mm to the pedestal’s maximum height.

Better still, you can use up to seven collars per support, adding a whopping 210mm to your overall pedestal height.

Pedestal Supports at AlfrescoPlus

The pedestal supports offered by AlfrescoPlus are extremely user-friendly and ideal for DIY installation.

No prior flooring experience is necessary and you don’t need to be a professional paver or top-notch tiler to achieve fantastic level results.

Best of all, the lack of adhesive means the whole process is infinitely cleaner than the old-school cement route. No mortar means mess no más!

For more information on our pedestals and the pedestal installation, why not drop us a line? Call now on 0800 028 8756 or get in touch online using the link below.

Contact Us

Sunrooms are becoming an increasingly popular addition to houses across the UK, gracing gardens nationwide as the perfect addition to detached and semi-detached homes.

However, if you are the proud owner of a bungalow, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the outdoor fun. A sunroom can be just as effective on a bungalow plot as it is with a detached or a semi.

In fact, with bungalows typically housing less interior space than a two-storey property, adding an extra room can make a big difference, making a bungalow sunroom an even more valuable addition.

Benefits of Sunrooms for Bungalows

As we touched upon in the intro, one of the main drawbacks of a bungalow property is their limiting living restrictions. Naturally removing a floor is going to effectively cut your living space in half.

A huge advantage of adding a sunroom to your property is that it effectively adds an extra room on to your house. In the case of a bungalow, this can make a notable difference and really contribute to a more enjoyable home-life.

The additional space can be utilised for a variety of purposes you may have otherwise not been able to house, be it an office, play room or home gym.

What’s more, the addition of a sunroom can also add financial value to a property, often providing added value that exceeds the initial expense.

In the case of a bungalow – particularly smaller-scale builds – a sunroom could account for a significant portion of a property, providing a notable expansion of available living space.

Good to Know

If you’re considering adding a sunroom to your bungalow, there are a few handy facts that are good to know before you jump in to your property-expanding project.

Permission to Land

As a general rule of thumb, adding a sunroom to your property doesn’t require any planning permission, provided it isn’t built on a border. As a result, the addition of a sunroom effectively allows you to really make the most of your land by expanding your indoor living area.

DIY-able

If you’re working to a budget and are either an experienced tradesman or confident DIY aficionado, you may consider taking on the task yourself. Our range of sunrooms are designed with a streamlined, modular design for easy installation, allowing you to step up to the plate if you wish to take on the challenge.

Cash-Conserving

Sunrooms can be considerably less expensive than traditional conservatories. If you’re looking to expand your space while conserving your cash, a sunroom is the perfect solution. Better still, sunrooms are better equipped for year-round use, while conservatories are typically more seasonal.

If you’re thinking of adding a sunroom to your bungalow, why not drop us a line today? Call now on 0800 028 8756 or get in touch online using the link below.

Get in Touch

Visit our sister site www.sunspaces.co.uk to browse our full range of sunrooms!

If you’re thinking of revamping your outdoor space with paving slabs or a patio design, you’ve probably been faced with the inevitable choice between natural stone and porcelain paving.

While both have their advantages, here at AlfrescoPlus we believe that porcelain pavers have the upper hand. From durability and practicality to aesthetics and maintenance, the power of porcelain has the edge over natural stone.

Don’t believe us? Let’s run through the pros and cons in more details in the battle of porcelain paving vs natural stone.

Disadvantages of Natural Stone

While natural stone has the obvious advantage of being the real article with its authentic features innately built-in, natural stone also has a number of drawbacks not applicable to porcelain.

Real stone requires real work to maintain a pristine aesthetic. High-maintenance is a common trait of natural stone and regular cleaning/treatment is often required to ensure its appearance remains presentable.

Natural stone is also uniquely crafted by Mother Nature, with each individual paver differing from the last. While this can be great for creating an organic-looking surface, it can be a detrimental attribute when looking to create a uniform finish.

While most of our porcelain designs feature a variegated pattern to differentiate between pavers, they don’t differ too drastically to ruin the overall aesthetic of the flooring. That being said, they still vary enough from tile to tile to maintain the natural deviation of genuine stone.

Benefits of Porcelain Paving

Porcelain tiles are specifically designed to mimic natural stone by recreating their organic appearance in a man-made product. From a production standpoint, this has a number of benefits, ranging from durability right down to the aesthetics.

Our porcelain products have been painstakingly engineered to look exactly like natural stone, so much so that it’s hard to tell the two apart. However, the materials used to create porcelain paving give them a distinct edge over their natural counterpart.

Extremely durable and low-maintenance, each paver is built to last. They require very little upkeep and have the ability to retain their vibrancy and unblemished finish for years with very little TLC along the way. An annual jet-wash is all that’s needed.

As well as being extremely resistant to stains, fading and abrasions, porcelain is also impressively slip-resistant when wet, providing a far more reliable surface in wet and damp conditions. This weather-proofing also extends to frost and our porcelain tiles are highly capable in sub-zero temperatures.

Why Choose Porcelain Paving?

From the durability and low-maintenance upkeep to its stunning design and impressive weather-resistance, porcelain is the next evolution of stonework design in the home. Porcelain has the ability to provide all the benefits of natural stone and more, culminating in a finished product that’s fit for 21^st century living.

In addition to its performance, porcelain pavers are also a great choice for environmentalists as all our tiles eco-friendly, made from natural raw materials, ethically sourced with minimal waste. Any waste that is created during the manufacturing process is simply recycled and each tile is meticulously made to meet European Ecolabel standards.

What are you waiting for? Request a FREE sample today and see for yourself or call now and speak to one of our experts using the button below.

Contact Us

For long-time residents of the UK, our dull and dismal climate will be a gripe that’s all too familiar.

The weather across the UK is characteristically wet throughout the year, predictably unpredictable and habitually putting a dampener on British summertime.

With such a high likelihood of rainfall, it’s important that you take this into consideration when planning out your garden design.

If you’re planning on revamping your outside space, slip-resistant tiles are a wise choice. Luckily, here at AlfrescoPlus, we’ve got you covered.

Get a Grip

At AlfrescoPlus, all of our outdoor tile ranges have been specifically designed to withstand the environmental demands of an outdoor setting – including the eventuality of heavy rain.

Each of our porcelain paving tiles are extremely robust, vitrified for extreme durability. The vitrification process not only ensures their ability to resist scratches, cracks and abrasions, but it also provides each tile with an impressively low porosity.

With a porosity level of less than 0.05%, our tiles retain virtually no moisture. Not only does this mean they dry out faster in wet weather but it also means that they are frost-resistant, providing further slip-protection in colder conditions.

Last Traction Hero

Our wide range of porcelain tiles boast a myriad of features for grip and slip-resistance, most notably their textured finish. This is a specific design choice made to enhance underfoot stability in all weather conditions, while also making it a top material for a poolside surround or base for a hot tub.

Additionally, each outdoor paving tile is 20mm thick and durable enough to withstand a heavy weight, which – when coupled with their slip-resisting qualities – also makes them perfect for driveways, as well as back gardens and patios.

Rate Expectations

For clarity purposes, all paving tiles on the AlfrescoPlus site have been graded with a “Grip Factor” of 1-5, with 1 being low and 5 being highly slip-resistant. The majority of our outdoor tiles are rate 4 or above, making porcelain paving from AlfrescoPlus a safe bet when it comes to slip-protection.

Additionally, all our outdoor tiles are also given a designated slip score, known as an “R Rating”; this ranking system has been designed and implemented by the government’s Health and Safety Executive. While this is helpful in determining performance, it’s important to note that scores are recorded between R9 and R13 and not beginning at R1 as you would logically believe.

What are you waiting for? Don’t slip up with your outdoor tile choice – call AlfrescoPlus today and give your outdoor design a tile it can rely on, whatever the weather!

For more information on our slip-resistant tiles and further details on outdoor paving attributes, why not drop us a line? Call now on 0800 028 8756 or get in touch online using the button below.

Contact Us