Wood or composite – which is the best choice for your home?

composite decking

Maybe you’ve finally decided that it’s time to redo your decking, or maybe you’re investing in decking for the first time (how exciting)! Either way, and one of the first things you’ll probably note is that today, the options are more plentiful than ever. So before you can lay your beautiful new decking, first you need to decide whether you would like to go with wood or composite decking.

In the wood versus composite debate, there is no-one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on your particular circumstances and preferences. Both have their fair share of positive attributes and things to consider, so it’s all about weighing those points up against what you’re looking for in a deck, and then making an informed decision.

Here at Savoy Timber, we’ve made a name for ourselves supplying great quality doors, decking, worktops, timber and more, which makes us experts when it comes to choosing the right decking. So to help you make the all-important composite or wood deck decision, we’ve laid out everything you need to know about both below!

Pros of timber decking

There are numerous things to take into consideration when choosing the material for your new decking. Factors such as cost, longevity, durability and aesthetics should all play a part in your decision. So, let’s start by taking a look at some of the pros of timber decking:

Visual Appeal

Wood offers natural beauty. The swirling grains of timber decking come in a plethora of styles and hues, all of which will create a different atmosphere with your garden space. When choosing timber decking it’s best to first decide what sort of environment you are trying to create. Timber can also be painted any colour to precisely match the colour palette of your garden.

Cost effective

Timber decking is typically the more cost effective option for those on a budget. It’s also widely available so the supply meets the demand. This flexible decking option is naturally beautiful and can also add value to your home on top of being generally affordable – providing it’s properly maintained, of course. The cost effective nature of timber also means that repairs can be easily made without breaking the bank.

Durable

When looked after properly timber decking can last over a decade. Good quality timber (like the type that we provide here at Savoy Timber) enhances your decking’s durability because it’s a solid and sturdy material. And like we mentioned above, it’ll stand the test of time with ease, providing you are taking care of the decking with the occasional seal, stain or paint job!

Pros of composite decking

Composite decking is the most common alternative to timber. It’s manufactured by combining wood fibres and recycled plastic for added durability and slightly different look. And now we’ve explored the benefits of timber decking, it’s time to discuss what composite decking has to offer.

Little to no maintenance

One of composite decking’s biggest positives is the fact that it requires little to no maintenance once it’s installed. Due to the inclusion of plastic fibres, it’s highly resistant to many of the problems that natural wood is susceptible to. The only maintenance a composite deck needs is the occasion sweep to get rid of any debris that has collected on its surface. Occasionally it may need to be hosed down to lift any hard to remove dirt – but apart from that, you’re all good! It’s very much a ‘set and forget’ option.

Incredibly durable

As we briefly touched on earlier, composite decking is incredibly durable. It’s highly resistant to the weather, rot, decay, sudden impact and staining. And because of this enhanced resilience, it will not succumb to the elements or bugs and certain wears and tears that many other fencing materials will over time. This is why composite decking has an increased longevity in comparison and why the cost tends to be slightly higher initially.

An economic choice

Now, composite decking does carry a slightly higher price tag than its natural-timbered cousin, and there is a very good reason for that. While at first, it might seem like composite is slightly more costly, it actually works out cheaper in the long run. That’s because composite is extremely durable and it’s going to last you decades, and requires little to no maintenance like a timber fence does. That means they don’t need to be stained and sealed, and they don’t need to be painted. They’re also highly resistant to any kind of rot or weather damage. In other words, once they’re set up, there’s no need to spend any further money on it. That makes it a very economical investment for those who don’t have much time to spend on garden maintenance.

Now you know all there is to know about the benefits of timber decking and composite decking, you can make an informed choice about which is best for your garden! Our composite boards are available in a variety of colours for you to choose from, and feature a stunning 3D Woodgrain or V-Grooved non-slip finish. And our range of timber decking is as beautiful as it is vast. Whatever you decide to go for, we’d got you covered here at Savoy Timber.

Our friendly team is here to offer you expert advice, guidance and answer any questions you may have. So, feel free to get in touch with us on 0345 0268 799. We’re always happy to help!