Doorway Control Solutions
As the global recession worsens, homeowners have been turning their attention to more cost effective materials for their decking projects. Composite decking has been rapidly rising in popularity for a number of reasons, most notably cost. But if you want a fashionable, good looking deck, you can’t help but love timber. So how do you decide? This article outlines some of the pros and cons for each choice, so that your decision can be made a little easier.
The fact that timber has that classic, gorgeous look can’t be ignored. If you are into design and having a space that looks good, then this choice is undoubtedly for you. The thing about timber, though, is it needs to be properly maintained. If you keep up with the upkeep of your timber deck, you will have a gorgeous piece that will literally last a lifetime. Timber can be painted, stained, or finished to either bring out its natural colour or show a bit of personality- it is totally up to you. Plus, it is all-natural- coming from the forest to your backyard without any manufacturing (aside from cutting and shaping, of course).
And as long as you choose a species of timber that is not endangered or that comes from a plantation, you are leaving an incredibly small environmental footprint. This can be the best choice to help mother earth, as long as you do it properly.
A composite deck is either totally plastic or a mix of recycled wood shavings and plastic. While not having that classic wood feel, composite decking comes in a plethora of different options for personalisation. It can have a wood colouring or be painted to suit your needs. It is also praised for its resistance to rot and infestation, problems that can destroy un-maintained timber decks. And unlike timber, composite decks don’t need maintenance or upkeep. With a timber deck, you have to consistently polish and re-stain… this is not the case with composite.
Composite decking is manufactured, so there is an impact on the environment. But unlike timber, which uses natural resources, composite decking is made from one-hundred-percent recycled timber fibres and plastic. So if you are not sure where your timber is coming from, you can ensure that a composite deck is recycled and environmentally friendly.Millboard decking however is somewhat different to the composite boards as it has no timber fibre. This results in a board that requires absolutely no maintenance and no deterioration. Our experience has been that the standard wood/plastic composites can both scratch easily and will have some issues with movement. Not so with the Millboard boards.
In the end, honestly, both composite and timber decking are great choices. It all comes down to personal preference. If you don’t mind investing a little time into your deck and have a few extra dollars to spend, you can’t go wrong with a beautiful Millboard deck But if cost is a huge factor, then you should probably choose timber. The wood plastic composites start out maintenance free although with time are proving a disaster.Whatever your decision, you can find a great, local decking company in Perth that will provide you with your materials and help you design a deck that excels in both form and function. Whether you live in Riverton, Mandurah, Halls Head or Joondalup, you can have a brand new deck- composite or timber- in no time at all.