Frequently Asked Decking Questions
From sanding, sealing, oiling, painting, sweeping.
One of the benefits of using our trusted installers is their knowledge and experience dealing with councils and installing your deck with the proper approvals.
Please get in touch and we will be happy to work out which is the greenest option for your situation.
Which decking is best for you? Our decking selector will help you decide!
Composite Decking Questions
The main reason behind the creation composite decking is the same reason people love it today – the low maintenance aspect allows for more time lounging on the deck. The top of the range composite products are made to look just like wood.
For more information check out our composite decking page.
Whilst there are many composite decking manufacturers around the world, only a few have the history to prove that they are able to create products that can withstand the Australian climate. For example, Trex, the industry leader and inventor of composite decking has a 25-year track record.
However, low quality composite deck boards have shown to be much less durable. The quality and materials vary greatly from different brands.
Most brands will have a variety of colours that match closely to the tones you would find in a natural wood with the added options for variations of grey weathered boards also.
However, the lengths and coverage of these warranties will vary. For example, Trex composite decking has two 25-year warranties. These cover the boards for both structure and appearance.
However, as the maintenance would be limited to the occasional wash with warm soapy water, composite decking will end up being cheaper in the long run. While some products seem cheaper at face value, it is important to consider costs like maintenance, a lost opportunity to have a lazy lunch with the kids, or a precious Saturday afternoon used up by laboriously resealing your deck.
The upfront costings of composite decking will vary from each brand but for a quality composite product, you can expect to pay around $150 per square metre for supply of materials including fixings.
For more information on how to pick the best composite for you click the following link – How to Choose a Deck.
The top of the range, high-performance, eco-friendly composite boards can withstand years of sun and harsh elements.
With 3rd generation (capped) surface composite, mould may still occur depending on its location. But is a simple and easy fix.
Learn how to clean and maintain your composite decking.
We have found it gets to similar temperatures of dark paving or bitumen. Darker colours generally absorb more heat than lighter colours, so weigh up the options to see what is important to you: heaps of maintenance or a deck that is lower in temperature.
We recommend using our qualified tradesman, as they install decking on a daily basis. They know things like the different manufacturers’ installation requirements, the Australian Standard 1684 Timber Framing Code, Local council building, planning & privacy requirements.
Also, because they purchase so much decking and materials, they are much more likely to get a better price than a DIY person walking in off the street at a supplier. Add to all this the little mistakes and large learning curve needed to work out how to build a deck yourself it is often the case employing one of our contractors ends up cheaper and with way less stress.
It is suggested that the deck is cleaned within a week if oily substances like BBQ grease or red wine are spilt on the deck.
It is suggested that the deck is cleaned within a week if oily substances like BBQ grease or red wine are spilt on the deck.
Also, with the third generation of decking having a virtually moisture impervious capping, it would be very difficult to get it to stick.
If a major disaster happens on a capped composite product, some brands of decking can have one board from the middle of the deck removed and replaced without having to lift the whole deck.
With the first generation’s inherent softness scratches happen constantly. Some recommend scratches to be sanded out, but we don’t, as experience has shown this opens up all the surface fibres, allowing moisture, stains, and mould to have easy entry.
If our bodies are charged with static electricity, just like from carpets, we don’t notice until there is a rapid discharge, a spark.
There is an anti-static product that we recommend called Staticide that is safe and easy to apply. This will remove all traces of static electricity.
But there are options for installing some brands of decking over pavers and bricks without voiding the manufacturers’ warranties. Contact us for more details.
Jetties are even made out of top brand’s composite decking.
Don’t forget a warranty is only as good as the company that backs it. The history of composite decking is littered with horror stories of people who have had issues with their composite deck, gone to make a claim and found the company has disappeared and they are left disgusted and out of pocket.
Contact us for advice on this critical issue.
Every project is unique and this is another reason why we are here to help you choose which product is perfect for you.
Timber Decking Questions
But then again you don’t get the same result in your backyard with paving, exposed aggregate or other masonry type products. Nobody has ever said, “let’s go and hang out on the paving”.
Trees. Plantation, old growth, sustainable, slash and burn, government controlled, unregulated.
Have other timber decking questions? Check out our 4-Minute Guide to Timber Decking
Decking Perth® Questions
We then put you in touch with more than one qualified, professional, trusted installer who discusses your project further and then provides an accurate quote. The whole time it is totally up to you if you want to proceed, decide decking is not for you, or postpone it to a later date.
We do the important task of working out who you can trust to perform quality work in a friendly professional manner.
You can check with your installer what installation warranty they offer. For information on the warranty of a specific brand please see their respective websites.