When building a new deck, it pays to do your research. With a variety of different decking materials out there, it is important to consider all your project needs, and choose the option that will make your deck installation and maintenance as effortless and seamless as possible.

Here is how DecoDeck® stands up compared to timber and composite decking.

Temperature

Walking on your deck should never be a pain in the feet. On a typical 45-degree summer day, a timber deck can reach temperatures of up to 52°C, while composites can develop ‘hot spots’ reaching up to 58°C. As you can imagine, on days like this, you can face a mad dash to the pool if you forget your shoes! DecoDeck®, as an aluminium deck, is an excellent conductor of heat, spreading it evenly across the boards and making the temperature far more bearable. Even on a 45°C day, your deck will not reach more than 47°C*.

*Based on DECO’s internal testing of different decking products. 

Install Time

Nobody wants to spend more time and money than necessary installing their deck. Save time and labour costs by choosing a decking product that is quick and easy to lay and secure. Timber and composites need to be nailed or screwed in place without splitting the boards, and depending on the product used, can be heavy. While timber takes approximately 30 minutes per square metre to lay, and composites can take up to 80 minutes to lay and install, DecoDeck® leads the pack. With lightweight, dimensionally stable boards that can easily be cut to size, and a simple clip-together fixing system, DecoDeck® takes installers just 10 minutes per square metre*, guaranteeing your deck will be up and ready to use in no time.

*Based on anecdotal evidence from deck installers. 

Slip Resistance

Above all else, your deck needs to be safe. Slips, trips and falls should be avoided – and it is especially important to minimise this risk if your pool is in a wet area, such as around a pool, or if it will be frequently rained on. Timber and composites can be made slip resistant by using special additives. Rather than having to refinish or paint your deck to get the benefits of these slip resistant additives, choose DecoDeck®, the pre-finished decking option that comes with rubber additives in the finish with a P4 slip rating making it suitable to use in all wet areas.

Maintenance

Nobody wants to waste time and money re-finishing their decks every year – but with timber and composite decks, that is the reality. All timbers will eventually fade to grey in the sun, and the wood will dry and deteriorate – so expect to pay at least $10/m2 every year to sand, stain or paint your deck to keep it up to code. Composites will also fade over time, and often require painting to keep their lustre and prevent a ‘plasticky’ appearance from coming through. With DecoDeck®, say goodbye to maintenance for the rest of your deck’s life. Other than a simple hose-down once in a while, DecoDeck® requires no maintenance whatsoever – just sit back and enjoy your deck year after year .

Fire Safety

Timber decks are beautiful, but in bushfire areas, they may be ruled out due to fire safety regulations. In high fire-risk areas such as BAL 40 and BAL FZ, only completely non-combustible materials can be used – and it can be difficult to find a decking product for Flame Zone areas that still looks natural. Timber can only be used in areas up to BAL 29 – and at this level, bushfire-resisting timbers such as hardwoods are the only type of timber allowed. Composites often come with fire-retardant additives and can be used in areas up to BAL 40. DecoDeck®, however, is fire safe up to BAL FZ. Made from completely non-combustible solid aluminium, with cover strip inserts to prevent gaps between boards. 

Beautiful, durable, low maintenance, easily-installed and non-combustible, DecoDeck® is the ideal choice for your new deck. Find out more here or contact us for a quote.