What is Composite Decking?

When it comes to choosing composite decking for your outdoor project, we know you have a lot of options at your disposal. Perhaps you’re even still trying to decide between decking and another material such as a patio, tiles or even gravel.

After 10 years in business, we may be a little biased, but we feel our composite decking stands up to every requirement you could possibly have for your outdoor surface. But for those who are new to decking, we’re here to fill you in, explaining everything you need to know about composite decking boards.

As always, if you have any further questions about composite decking that you don’t see answered below, feel free to reach out to us using the contact information at the top of this page. 

What is Composite Decking?

It’s possible to find decking in a variety of materials these days. However, one of the most contemporary materials that decking can be produced in is composite, which is a unique blend consisting of 55% recycled wood, 40% HDPR plastic and 5% additives.

Compared with opting for a pure wooden or a plastic deck, there are a plethora of benefits of fusing these two key materials together.

What Is A Composite Decking Board?

A composite decking board is the name given to each individual plank of your decking. 

If you take a look at the cut through section, you’ll notice how composite decking is formed is different to that of other decking types. The design features a hollow board along with ingressed sides to accommodate the fasteners which attach to the joists, making installation much easier.

Composite decking boards also feature a reversible design, allowing you to choose from a sleek groove finish or a beautiful authentic looking wood texture. There are also no defects with composite boards to contend with either, as is often common with wood. Read more about how composite decking is made in our detailed guide.

Benefits of Composite Decking?

If we take things back to basics when it comes to improving your outdoor space, what springs to mind as being important for you?

We’d imagine the need to have a safe, practical surface to walk and relax on, not to mention the ability to use the surface to safely place your garden furniture on. You want the material to be easy to install and boost the aesthetic appeal of your property. Plus offer longevity, including a 10-year warranty on your purchase. This is exactly what composite decking provides and more – all without the hassle or mess of laying a patio!

Considering that decking will be placed outside – it needs to be able to withstand the elements, which is where wooden decking can often struggle, especially when it comes to problems such as rot, mould, cracking or splintering.

But with the addition of plastic, the boards benefit from additional strength, not to mention durability. For example, our composite decking also has anti-splinter technology as well as being mould resistant.

Read more about the advantages of composite decking in our complete guide here.

Composite Decking Colour Options

With composite decking, there’s no need to pick up a paintbrush as your decking will arrive in the colour you have chosen. As the colour is added during the production, this ensures an even, long lasting colour that will look fantastic for years to come.

Here is an overview of the decking colours we supply here at Dino Decking, depending on whether you opt for our Regular or Premium range. Not sure which colour to choose? Our composite decking colour guide will help you.

Amber

Amber makes an excellent colour choice for those who don’t fancy a super dark shade, instead craving a natural light wood colour. A benefit of this shade is that if you opt for the wood grain side, it will give you the aesthetic of real wood but with all the enhanced benefits of composite. 

ShopAmber Teak Composite Decking.

Ash

Ash is our medium toned grey decking. Colour wise, it sits in between Stone which is just a touch lighter in colour and Graphite, which is more of a coal shade. Grey instantly looks on-trend, not to mention sophisticated, especially when paired with white pebbles elsewhere in the garden. 

Shop Ash Grey Composite Decking.

Graphite

Graphite takes things to the extreme with an ultra cool, coal toned black shade. Darker decking shades are incredibly practical, as they hide dirt and general debris a little easier, although they will still need a clean. Graphite also happens to be ultra contemporary, stepping away from traditional colours.

Shop Graphite Black Composite Decking.

Mocha

Mocha is akin to a deep shade of dark chocolate. We think you’ll find the reversible option just as delicious for your decking, as similar to our other wood toned shades, Mocha gives you the appearance of real wood but with the benefits of composite. 

ShopMocha Brown Composite Decking.

Savanna

Savanna is a light tone of decking that has a natural colouring similar to unstained or untreated raw timber. Lighter coloured decking can really enhance the light in your garden, creating an inviting space all year round. Savanna was also the shade of decking chosen by Alan Titchmarsh and the team for an episode of ITV’s Love Your Garden. 

Shop Savanna Composite Decking.

Stone

Stone is our light grey option and instantly creates a contemporary look for any garden. As with our other grey tones, Stone looks fantastic when paired with white or even metallic features elsewhere in your garden, such as our composite trellis screens. 

ShopLight Grey Stone Composite Decking.

How Do You Install Composite Decking?

Installing composite decking requires several steps and pieces of equipment. Luckily, we’re here to help at Dino Decking with our comprehensive guide to installing composite decking boards.

Which Composite Decking is Best?

Not all composite decking is created equal, which is why here at Dino Decking, we’re proud to be a leading supplier of composite decking in the UK.

All of our decking comes with a 10-year guarantee. However, if you’re in search of the very best decking that we stock, then look no further than our Premium range, which is priced at £32.99 per 4m length. 

Our Premium decking has been finished with an incredibly durable, water-resistant Dino Shield™ polymer sleeve and offers the thickest capped decking shell for composite decking available in the UK.

Other benefits include anti-slip technology and minimal colour fade over time due to its enhanced UV protection.

Anthracite

Anthracite is a deep grey tone that creates a practical yet stylish outdoor surface in an instant. Pair with metallics or glass materials for a contemporary feel.

Shop Anthracite Premium Composite Decking

Pearl

Pearl is the lightest shade of our Premium decking range and is a light grey tone. Pearl can be used exclusively or as an accent colour when mixed with anthracite. 

Shop Pearl Premium Composite Decking

Walnut

Walnut has had quite the comeback within interior design, and it makes for a beautiful shade of decking too. The deep chocolate staining is all done for you, giving you an incredible finish that looks like it took hours of backbreaking staining to achieve, but with none of the work involved! 

Shop Walnut Premium Composite Decking

Why is Composite Decking Better Than Wood?

Although the question of which is a ‘better’ material is in part down to personal preference, there are a lot of advantages composite provides over using a material that is purely made from wood.

With a wooden deck, there is a lot of preparation that needs to happen to each individual plank to ensure it does not rot or mould, whereas no preparation is needed with composite. Plus, composite material uses recycled materials making it more environmentally-friendly.

The benefits of composite decking over wood are endless, but it all comes down to personal preference (but we personally think that composite decking looks fantastic!). Read more in our wood vs composite decking guide.

Does Composite Decking Fade?

It is inevitable that there will be some fading for composite decking. Any material exposed to the sun, particularly for years on end, will fade to some degree.

We do advise that our Classic range will undergo up to a 30% colour fade in the first 6 months following installation before stabilising to its final colour.

However, our decking contains UV fade resistant technology to reduce how much your decking will fade as much as possible. Our Premium range also features improved stain, scratch and colour fade resistance.

How Much is Composite Decking in the UK?

Our composite decking board prices start from just £5.99 per linear metre. We also have Classic or Premium ranges to choose from so that you can decide how much you’d like to invest in your new decking. Also, remember that with our 10-year warranty, Dino Decking composite decking is designed to work hard for you over time. Versus opting for a cheaper or inferior material, it’s definitely worth purchasing a deck that will give you long term satisfaction.

Composite Decking Ideas

One of the many benefits of composite decking is that it’s so incredibly versatile. So, whether you’re planning a low maintenance garden or something a little more elaborate, whatever shade you choose will slot right into your design. Use our decking ideas page for inspiration.

Here are some of our top ideas to inspire you. P.S: If you’ve used our decking for your project, we’d love to see it! Be sure to tag us over on our Instagram or Facebook accounts. 

Mix And Match Shades

It’s perfectly possible to keep your decking all the same shade. Alternatively, we’ve found our customers have created some incredible designs by mixing and matching different shades of our decking to outline borders or create general visual interest with their deck.

Grey Composite Decking

Grey is a colour the nation has fallen in love with in recent times, and with its calming neutral appeal, not to mention ultra stylish look, who can blame them? If you have existing grey interiors in your home, particularly if you have any rooms with grey floors and bi-fold doors that lead outside, then choosing grey composite decking can create the illusion of endless space.

Composite Decking And Cladding

If any of your exterior walls or buildings are in need of a spruce up, did you know you can match your composite decking with composite cladding? Our composite cladding is available in three shades including Anthracite, Pearl and Walnut, that perfectly match our Premium composite decking range.

Composite Decking Delivered Nationwide

Overall, there is a lot to learn about composite decking and the variety of options it gives you. We hope that we’ve explained everything you need to know about composite decking. But, if you have any further questions, we’re here to help!

Based elsewhere in the UK? We deliver to all locations across the UK so your composite decking is never far away. Also, why not order your free sample of Dino Decking, and we’ll send you a beautiful range of our decking options.

Alternatively, if you’re ready to get started, head to our composite decking page to select your items and check out.

You can also download our brochure to browse our full range of products.