3 Alternative Decking Materials and Why They Might Work for You
While timber decking is beautiful, it needs plenty of TLC. Here's how to achieve the look without the hassle
If you’d like to enjoy next summer from your brand new deck, now is the time to start planning and get it built. One of the most important things to consider when choosing your decking is how much maintenance you’re prepared to put into it. If you’d rather not commit to a regular schedule of sanding and re-oiling to keep it looking beautiful, it might be time to look at some of the new generation, high-tech decking board alternatives.
1. Composite decking
An environmentally friendly decking option, composite decking is made from recycled wood pulp, fibre or sawdust, mixed with plastic and machine-extruded into long, uniform boards, (often more than five metres in length). The actual composition varies between brands – some products use rice husks or bamboo rather than wood, and some use recycled plastics.
Ready to revive your deck? Find an experienced decking professional near you, browse images of their work and read client reviews
An environmentally friendly decking option, composite decking is made from recycled wood pulp, fibre or sawdust, mixed with plastic and machine-extruded into long, uniform boards, (often more than five metres in length). The actual composition varies between brands – some products use rice husks or bamboo rather than wood, and some use recycled plastics.
Ready to revive your deck? Find an experienced decking professional near you, browse images of their work and read client reviews
Composite boards are designed to look and feel similar to timber decking, but are virtually maintenance-free: they won’t warp or rot, and never require resealing or painting.
“A hardwood timber deck such as merbau or jarrah looks absolutely beautiful once you put it down and you give it two coats of oil,” says Paul Wilkinson, owner of Castlegate Home Improvements in WA. “But the truth is that’s the best it’s ever going to look. After a few years of not getting proper maintenance, it starts to look tatty. Whereas the composite board is maintenance-free, and that’s what sells it.”
“A hardwood timber deck such as merbau or jarrah looks absolutely beautiful once you put it down and you give it two coats of oil,” says Paul Wilkinson, owner of Castlegate Home Improvements in WA. “But the truth is that’s the best it’s ever going to look. After a few years of not getting proper maintenance, it starts to look tatty. Whereas the composite board is maintenance-free, and that’s what sells it.”
In terms of longevity, Wilkinson says some of the new generation of composites are warrantied for 25 years. So far, he hasn’t had any clients go back to him, “But who knows?” he says. “The products haven’t been out that long here in Australia. But they are getting better all the time.”
While early-generation composites were susceptible to scratching and fading, manufacturing methodologies have changed and the new-generation composites use harder plastics, a lower wood-plastic ratio, and are ‘capped’ with an integrated protective plastic coating, all of which helps overcome these issues.
While early-generation composites were susceptible to scratching and fading, manufacturing methodologies have changed and the new-generation composites use harder plastics, a lower wood-plastic ratio, and are ‘capped’ with an integrated protective plastic coating, all of which helps overcome these issues.
“Often people fall into the hope that their [timber] deck is going to look like floorboards inside,” says Rod Aulburn, owner of Sydney company Get Decked Out. “It’s not – decking boards are milled differently, generally from a different part of the tree, they’re finished differently, and they’re exposed to the weather.” For clients who want a ‘set and forget’ deck that’s going to perform more like floorboards inside and age more predictably, Aulburn recommends composites.
“Composites are initially dearer per metre than hardwood decking, but then if you lay a hardwood deck you have to consider the cost of sanding and finishing, and depending on how much sun it gets, regular re-oiling,” he says. “Whereas with the composites, there’s no additional expense for ongoing maintenance. So you catch up pretty quickly.”
“Composites are initially dearer per metre than hardwood decking, but then if you lay a hardwood deck you have to consider the cost of sanding and finishing, and depending on how much sun it gets, regular re-oiling,” he says. “Whereas with the composites, there’s no additional expense for ongoing maintenance. So you catch up pretty quickly.”
Aulburn also hasn’t received any negative feedback regarding the performance of composite decking boards, but offers two caveats: “Some people say they get hot underfoot. And you have to be a little bit more careful with scratching from dragging furniture over them,” he says.
See more stunning poolside decks
See more stunning poolside decks
Another way in which composites differ from timber is the way they’re installed. “Most composite decking systems utilise concealed fixings,” says Aulburn. “They’ll have either a clip that goes in between the two boards that holds them down, or a track that they clip into. You don’t see any screws or nails, and it creates a nice sleek look.”
Aulburn chose Huskwood in Charcoal for this hidden-away deck in a garden on Sydney’s northern beaches. The dramatic colouring and streamlined, nail-free fixings create a striking finish.
Aulburn chose Huskwood in Charcoal for this hidden-away deck in a garden on Sydney’s northern beaches. The dramatic colouring and streamlined, nail-free fixings create a striking finish.
So now for the million-dollar question – what brand of composite boards will best suit your needs? There’s no single answer, as each product has slightly different attributes that will suit different purposes.
“There are lots of composites out there, and some are good and some are not that good,” says Wilkinson. “But if you pay for a middle-of-the-range composite product, you’re going to get a good job.”
If you live in a bushfire-prone region, consider flame-resistant decking by Inex, Biowood or ModWood, which was used for the stepped decking in this Perth garden.
In high-rainfall or damp areas, Aulburn recommends Ekodeck. “I used this for an internal courtyard with no direct sun and water issues and it is performing well,” he says.
“There are lots of composites out there, and some are good and some are not that good,” says Wilkinson. “But if you pay for a middle-of-the-range composite product, you’re going to get a good job.”
If you live in a bushfire-prone region, consider flame-resistant decking by Inex, Biowood or ModWood, which was used for the stepped decking in this Perth garden.
In high-rainfall or damp areas, Aulburn recommends Ekodeck. “I used this for an internal courtyard with no direct sun and water issues and it is performing well,” he says.
If the deck faces north or west and is likely to become hot in the sun, choose a lighter-coloured composite decking product, such as this DuraLife Decking in Garapa Grey, which mimics the look of weathered timber. Paler colours won’t absorb as much heat from the sun. As a bonus, if scratches occur, they’ll be less obvious.
Look out for: The type of plastic used in the composite mix or outer capping can impact the hardness, and therefore durability, of composite boards. If they’re going to be subject to heavy traffic from pets and kids, choose a product made with PVC, which will provide maximum UV-resistance, stain-resistance and hardness.
2. Acetylated wood
If you’re not sold on the appearance of composite decking boards, but remain hesitant about the ongoing demands of timber, acetylated wood might be the product for you. Acetylation is a century-old treatment that alters the chemical structure of the wood, making it stronger and more ‘dimensionally stable’, so it does not expand and contract in response to changes in temperature and humidity.
The timber becomes resistant to cracking, splintering and decay, and in Europe and the USA it’s widely used for exterior applications such as windows, doors, cladding, and – you guessed it – decking.
If you’re not sold on the appearance of composite decking boards, but remain hesitant about the ongoing demands of timber, acetylated wood might be the product for you. Acetylation is a century-old treatment that alters the chemical structure of the wood, making it stronger and more ‘dimensionally stable’, so it does not expand and contract in response to changes in temperature and humidity.
The timber becomes resistant to cracking, splintering and decay, and in Europe and the USA it’s widely used for exterior applications such as windows, doors, cladding, and – you guessed it – decking.
The acetylation process does not alter the appearance of the timber, nor its ability to be machined. If left to weather, it will acquire the silvery patina of aged wood without losing structural integrity. It can also be painted or stained.
Acetylated wood is marketed under the brand name Accoya, and has been available in Australia for several years. Mark Hansel from M&B Building Products in Western Australia says that Accoya also has great eco-credentials: the wood is sourced from sustainable, fast-growing forests and the manufacturing process is non-toxic.
M&B Building Products recently put Accoya to the ultimate test, using it to build this deck and jetty for a canal-side home in Mandurah, WA. “Its altered structure means it absorbs significantly less water than other woods,” says Hansel. “So it’s an ideal choice for decking around pools.”
Good to know: The acetylation process involves the use of acetic acid. Because residual acid contained in the timber may corrode regular steel, use stainless steel or brass nails and screws when fixing acetylated wood.
Good to know: The acetylation process involves the use of acetic acid. Because residual acid contained in the timber may corrode regular steel, use stainless steel or brass nails and screws when fixing acetylated wood.
3. Compressed-fibre cement
Compressed-fibre cement is the latest kid to arrive on the alternative decking block. Made from a mixture of cement, sand and cellulose fibre machined to a smooth finish, it offers all the benefits of splinter- and warp-free durability and weather-resistance, albeit with a higher price tag than some of the other composite decking products.
“[Compressed fibre-cement decking] is a good alternative to a super-hard surface like tiles or concrete,” says Aulburn. “It’s still hard-wearing, but gives a softer-looking finish.”
Compressed-fibre cement is the latest kid to arrive on the alternative decking block. Made from a mixture of cement, sand and cellulose fibre machined to a smooth finish, it offers all the benefits of splinter- and warp-free durability and weather-resistance, albeit with a higher price tag than some of the other composite decking products.
“[Compressed fibre-cement decking] is a good alternative to a super-hard surface like tiles or concrete,” says Aulburn. “It’s still hard-wearing, but gives a softer-looking finish.”
Cairns-based builders Kenick Constructions installed compressed fibre-cement product HardieDeck, pictured here, in one of its display homes. “We chose HardieDeck because up here in the tropics, it’s a very harsh environment and we find that customers often don’t want a high-maintenance timber deck,” says marketing manager Rachel Whymark.
Unlike the plastic-wood composites, fibre-cement decking does need to be sealed with either a good-quality water-based paving paint or a penetrating sealer. “Design-wise it’s really flexible, because you can paint it any colour you like or it can be stained to look like timber,” says Whymark. Finished with a clear sealer, it will look like polished concrete.
Unlike the plastic-wood composites, fibre-cement decking does need to be sealed with either a good-quality water-based paving paint or a penetrating sealer. “Design-wise it’s really flexible, because you can paint it any colour you like or it can be stained to look like timber,” says Whymark. Finished with a clear sealer, it will look like polished concrete.
Best suited to: According to Whymark, installation of the compressed fibre-cement decking boards is almost foolproof. “It’s quick to put down, it all fits together with concealed aluminium channels, which means there are no worries about getting the correct spacing,” she says. “It would be ideal to install yourself because it’s just so easy.”
Your turn
Have you used any of these alternative decking materials? Share your experiences in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Want more on decking materials? We have your next read covered with 5 Decking Materials That Will Stop the Rot
Your turn
Have you used any of these alternative decking materials? Share your experiences in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Want more on decking materials? We have your next read covered with 5 Decking Materials That Will Stop the Rot
Most timber decking alternatives are known as ‘composite’ decking, and are a wood-plastic hybrid. These include brand names such as ModWood, Trex, CleverDeck and Ekodeck. Other alternatives are fibre-cement decking boards, and timber that’s been chemically modified to resist weathering and decay.
While it’s great to have this kind of choice, it can be difficult to know which product will best suit your needs, so let’s look at how the different types of alternative decking boards perform.