Garden decking offers an area to relax and enjoy the outdoors in the comfort of your home. Let’s discuss the benefits of adding garden decking to your home and which choice could be the one for you.

Adding garden decking will bring space that can be used for hanging out with family and relaxing in the sunshine. It can be built to any size or shape, allowing you to create the outdoor area ideal for you and the space you’re working with.

Garden decking is extremely low maintenance, requiring only occasional cleaning and treatment. This makes it a great option for busy people who don't have the time to spend on regular upkeep.

Garden decking is generally made from durable materials ensuring it can withstand all types of weather conditions. We’d like to assist you in choosing which decking is right for you. Read on for more about wood decking, composite decking and plastic decking and their differences.

Wood vs. Composite vs. PVC

Depending on your preferences, with wood, you have the choice of hardwood decking and softwood decking. Hardwood normally requires less upkeep and it’s easy to clean but it’s often the more expensive option as hardwood can take up to 150 years to grow. Softwood is initially more affordable but requires regular maintenance and treatment to keep it looking its best. With great maintenance softwood can be just as long-lasting as hardwood.

Composite decking is the best environmentally friendly choice as it is made up of a mix of recycled materials, like wood and plastic. It is a very durable choice and requires even less cleaning, we’d recommend this on a semi-annual basis. You can find lots of types of design with this type of decking including choice of colour and pattern but keep in mind that it looks more artificial than a natural wood decking. The price of composite decking can vary.

Plastic (PVC) decking is the most durable option of all. Plastic does not absorb water so the decking does not need any treatment because it cannot rot. Unlike wood and composite, plastic can be pressure washed. It is useful to know that this may not be the best choice for those in hot climates as plastic decking gets very hot from the direct sun. PVC has a similar look to composite decking but can be slightly more pricey.