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Are you looking to spruce up your garden, but not sure how? Decking can transform a property, adding a new stylish outdoor area to spend time in whilst simultaneously increasing the aesthetic appeal and economic value of your property.
If you’ve ever considered purchasing residential decking from professional decking installers, you’ll know the complications and choices that arise. You might have been unsure of what decking material to use, how to decorate the decking, and where to find the best possible product.
This article aims to answer all of these questions, and more, in a complete guide to residential decking. Read on to find out more.
Before going into the nitty gritty of what materials and properties are suitable for decking, it is important to highlight the numerous benefits of having residential decking for your property.
Decking can improve the aesthetic appeal of any outdoor space. It makes for a well-balanced accompaniment to any garden or other outdoor space. The order of the decking’s lines and ridges gives an attractive sense of structure to the garden as a whole, playfully contradicting the outgrowing nature contained within it.
If you’re worried about timber or plastic decking installation being a time-consuming process, don’t fret. Compared to laying a patio, decking is straightforward to install, making for a simple upgrade with striking and impactful results. Whilst it is relatively easy to install decking, don’t be tempted to do it yourself and seek professional plastic decking installation services.
Residential decking is also an incredibly adaptable choice of outdoor decoration. It can fit in well in almost every type of garden, whether big or small. And if it is a strange shape or awkward slope, decking can be found to blend with – and compliment – it perfectly.
If you’re even looking to sell your property in the near future, decking can still make for an excellent addition. Studies have shown that decking can significantly improve a buyer’s perception of how much living space there is in a home, potentially adding up to 10% to the overall value of a home.
Beyond the benefits of decking to your home, it can be beneficial to you, the homeowner, also. Residential decking provides a stylish outdoor space to lounge and relax in, an outdoor living room of sorts. With decking installed by decking installers, when the summer months (eventually) roll around, you will have a great area to entertain guests. A spot of cocktails and nibbles on a summer’s evening, perhaps?
Timber decking can be manufactured using hardwood or softwood. Hardwood is a costly option, although durable and somewhat weather-resistant, whilst softwood is treated with chemical preservatives and represents a more cost-effective residential decking solution.
However, both timber decking options require annual cleaning and re-sealing, leading to expensive maintenance costs. Whatsmore, both splintering and slipping are two safety risks that are common with timber decking.
As the name suggests, composite decking contains both natural and plastic materials within it. Wood fibres, additives, and recycled plastic are combined to make a denser and stronger product than timber alone.
Wood-plastic composite installers often remark on how the blend can be susceptible to mould and mildew due to its wood ingredients being exposed to the conditions. This can require heavy maintenance and result in a not-very-long-lasting product.
Plastic uPVC decking installers arose in the early 2000s as a solution to the problems of composite decking’s proneness to disintegration. uPVC plastic decking is made of entirely artificial materials alongside additives which can improve the colouring and quality of the decking installation.
Rising in popularity in recent years, plastic decking avoids many of the maintenance-based hiccups and sheer expense of composite and timber decking materials.
To many, the most essential factor in decking is its visual appeal and aesthetic value to a property. Plastic decking excels in this field, looking and feeling like natural wood, but with the benefit of a wider range of colours – from dark oaky notes to progressive, Scandinavian-style greys. Plastic can easily be made to match other elements in the garden, such as fences, gates, and furniture.
Having decking that can last is equally as valuable as stylish design. Wood decking can be easily damaged over time and lead to expensive, frequent, and disruptive maintenance. This isn’t the case with plastic decking installations, which, resisting fading and staining, require none of the painting, sealing, and sanding of wooden decking.
This results in plastic decking being an incredibly long-lasting and low-maintenance option that will work brilliantly for your outdoor area for the years ahead.
As previously mentioned, all kinds of residential decking add value to a home, and this is an important part of what makes decking a good addition to your property. However, using certain decking materials can enhance the money saved in the long run.
Plastic decking installations can yield a higher return than wooden decking due to their durability and increased longevity. With no ongoing maintenance costs, even more money can be saved, helping recoup a significant portion of the initial investment with ease.
An underrated component of effective wooden or plastic decking installations isn’t found in the decking itself, but in how its surroundings are styled. Having your plastic decking accompanied by stylish furniture, chairs, and tables can enhance the look and feel of your garden as a whole.
A well-furnished decking area can allow for outdoor dining, lounging, and socialising. Other decorative elements could include; coffee/side tables, potted and hanging plants, candles, lighting, sofas, a firepit, or even a hot tub.
If you’re looking for visually appealing, durable, and good-value decking, plastic decking installation is for you. A material such as uPVC decking is incredibly effective; it is hard-wearing and made entirely from polyvinyl chloride, a plastic. One of the many advantages of uPVC decking is found in its plasticity, as it cannot absorb water, meaning that it won’t rot or decay over time.
uPVC residential decking is anti-slip, unlike timber and composite decking, and won’t fade over time. and is available in a variety of finishes. This means you can not only have decking which is safe and long-lasting, but you can also customise it to suit your garden’s aesthetic tonalities.
For those seeking a natural wood feel and aesthetic, plastic decking is ideal, as it is so customizable that it be made into a colour of your choosing. Architects are famously big fans of plastic decking, due to its sheer versatility in style and colour, often utilising plastic decking installers for various projects.
In addition, uPVC plastic decking installations are 100% recyclable. None of the plastic used in uPVC decking will end up in landfill sites, as it can be melted and repurposed into something else in the future. But don’t worry about recycling your decking – uPVC, a strong and low-maintenance but lightweight plastic decking material, can stand the test of time – a fact embolden by our 10-year guarantee.
If you’re interested in uPVC plastic decking and are tempted to try to install it yourself, it is worth knowing that this decking requires specialist tools and skills to bend. Unlike composite and softwood decking, which is less complicated to install, uPVC plastic decking installation is best left to professional decking installers.
At Fitrite Fencing & Decking, we are the uPVC plastic decking installation specialists. We manufacture, supply, and install low-maintenance and high-quality products that require no additional painting, sealing, or staining. Hard-wearing, weatherproof, and scratch-resistant, Fitrite’s visually appealing residential decking is ideal for any property.
We also offer both uPVC and composite fencing, garden rooms, balustrades, and hot tubs. With 0% finance options for residential customers, Fitrite can help offer affordable solutions that enhance your outdoor space.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to find out more about our uPVC plastic decking installation. A friendly member of our team will be on hand to answer all questions and queries. Call us at 08003047164 or click here to message us today.