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While both capped composite decking and uncapped composite decking are more durable than traditional timber deck boards, there are a few key differences between them.

Capped decking boards are made through co-extrusion processing, while uncapped decking boards are created through a process called compression moulding.

Our capped decking boards are more durable than uncapped composite decking boards, as they have an extra layer of polyethene. This provides an extra layer of protection and will allow your composite decking boards to last even longer than they normally would.

Gas BBQs will be perfectly fine, you will need to be more careful with kettle BBQs as the hot coals could fall on your deck and, if really hot, could cause some damage or marking, you would always be best to sit your BBQ on a non-combustible material such as a piece of stone or metal.

We would always recommend putting a hot tub on a hard standing like a concrete pad. If this isn't an option then you can reduce the centres on your joist substructure where the hot tub will sit with added upright supports. We would always recommend consulting an engineer or the hot tub manufacturer for loadings.

One of the biggest benefits of composite decking boards is that they require very little maintenance. They don’t need to be painted, stained, sealed, or treated. This will save you a significant amount of time and money over the course of their service life.

The only maintenance they need is an occasional wash with a power washer or warm, soapy water and a soft bristle brush. You only need to do this around once every 6 months.

You may think that the durability added by the plastic components in composite decking would make it slippery, but this is normally not the case.

Our composite decking options are fitted with many different types of slip resistance in order to prevent this very thing from happening.

If you do not regularly clean any decking boards, regardless of the material they are made from, mould and algae can begin to grow and make the area slippery anyway.

While the material that your deck is made out of will have some bearing on how hot it gets, the colour that you decide to stain your decking will generally be the ultimate decider when it comes to how hot it will get.

Darker colours have been known to get far hotter than lighter colours, so you should keep this in mind when you are choosing the colour of your deck.

High-quality composite decking such as ours should not get much hotter than wood decking, but cheaper composite decking could become a lot hotter than some of the timber options on the market.

Composite decking boards can be kept clean quite easily, as the material does not need to be maintained all that often.

If you notice any mould, grime, or algae buildup on your decking boards, then you can easily use a pressure washer to blast all of this muck off without causing any damage to your deck.

If you don’t have access to a pressure washer, then you can also use some soapy water, a scrubbing brush with soft bristles, and some elbow grease, and you should be able to get your deck clean in no time at all.

Composite decking is made from recycled materials, wood fibres, and polymer plastics. Therefore, it is far more durable, low-maintenance, and easier to clean than timber decking. Despite the minimal upkeep, composite decking requires periodic cleaning to maintain its natural appearance - keep the deck clear of debris, leaves etc... use hot water, brush and hose down... We also recommend using a jet wash on the fan nozzle and not exceeding 1500 PSI.

Composite decking is made from wood-plastic composite materials, which means it will definitely at least slightly expand and contract based on how hot or cold it is.

You will need to see just how hot the area you live in gets at its hottest, as this means you will need to leave more space between each decking board during installation.

Sanding capped composite decking is not a good idea at all, as it has an extra layer of polymer protection that will be destroyed if you use sandpaper on it. If the capped decking becomes marked then coloured pens can be used. We can provide RAL codes for all the colours we supply, so you can get a good match.

If you have high-quality composite decking, it will fade and become a few shades lighter in the first few months after you have it installed.

This is not anything to worry about, though, as the colour will soon stabilise and won’t fade all that much further throughout the rest of its lifespan. If you have lower-quality composite decking, it may continue to fade over its lifespan, though.

Composite decking can be quite easy to install if you plan your layout properly and already have a solid timber frame as a base.

If you aren’t too clued up about DIY, then you might want to get a professional to come and install it for you.

No, composite decking should generally never be directly laid onto the ground, as this will cause it to deteriorate at a much faster rate. It is normally best to place it on a solid concrete base so that it can remain strong, stable, and away from extra moisture.