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Composite Decking
Bristol & Thornbury

The complete guide to composite decking — what it actually delivers, where the cheap versions fall short, and why Millboard is where I start every conversation.

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The Case For Composite

What Composite Decking Actually Delivers

The composite decking market has matured significantly. The early generation — hollow-core boards that faded, warped in heat and looked plasticky within five years — is what most people picture when they hear "composite." The quality end of the current market is a genuinely different product.

Quality composite boards are made from a mix of wood fibre and recycled plastic, with a capped protective layer that resists staining, UV fade, and moisture. They don't need oiling. They don't need treating. They need an occasional wash-down and nothing else.

The trade-off is cost — good composite runs significantly higher per square metre than treated softwood. But when you factor in the ongoing maintenance costs of timber (oiling, treating, replacing boards), the lifetime cost difference narrows considerably, and for many homeowners reverses entirely.

  • Near-zero maintenance — no annual oiling, no re-treating, no board replacement from weathering
  • 25-year warranties — quality products genuinely back this up; cheap brands don't
  • No splintering — safer for children, bare feet, and elderly family members
  • Slip resistance — textured capped surfaces outperform timber in wet British conditions
  • Consistent colour — doesn't grey or silver the way untreated timber does
  • Suitable for all orientations — including shaded, damp, or north-facing gardens where timber struggles
My Preferred Product

Millboard

If a customer asks what I'd put in my own garden, the answer is Millboard. Every time.

Most composite boards are extruded — pushed through a die in a repeated pattern. Millboard boards are moulded from real hardwood samples, which means every board has a different grain, knot structure, and surface texture. From two metres away, you genuinely can't tell it from timber.

They're also solid-core, not hollow — which means they don't drum underfoot, don't flex, and hold fixings the way timber does. I've installed Millboard on a number of jobs and never had a warranty call.

I work with other composite products where budget requires it, but Millboard is where I start every composite conversation.

Honest Comparison

Composite vs Timber:
Side By Side

Neither material is universally better. The right choice depends on your budget, garden, and how you want to use the space. Here's the honest breakdown.

Composite

Near-zero maintenance
25-year warranties (quality brands)
No splintering or warping
Better in shaded / damp conditions
Slip-resistant texture
Higher upfront cost
Harder to repair individual sections
Cheap versions look cheap

Timber

Lower upfront cost (30–50% less)
Natural look and feel
Easy to repair board by board
More workable around complex layouts
FSC-certified, sustainably sourced
Requires oiling / treating every 1–2 years
Can grey, split or warp if unmaintained
Shorter lifespan without upkeep

I'll give you an honest recommendation based on your specific garden and budget — not based on which has the better margin for me.

Common Questions

Composite Decking FAQ

Straight answers. If yours isn't here, call or WhatsApp.

Quality composite decking (Millboard or equivalent) typically runs from £250–£400 per square metre installed, depending on size, access, and sub-frame requirements. Budget composite runs lower but I wouldn't recommend it — the warranty and performance claims don't hold up in the real world. I provide detailed quotes after a site visit with no hidden costs.
Yes — dark composite boards in full sun can get noticeably warm underfoot on hot days. This is one reason I lean toward lighter colourways for south-facing gardens. Millboard's solid-core construction dissipates heat better than hollow-core boards, but it's still something to factor into your colour choice. I'll flag it if it's relevant to your specific garden.
Millboard boards are moulded from real hardwood — each board is individually textured from a real timber sample, not extruded through a die. The result looks genuinely like timber, not like a composite trying to look like timber. They're also solid-core, which means they don't drum underfoot, hold fixings properly, and don't flex. I've installed Millboard on multiple projects without a warranty issue. Other brands carry bigger marketing budgets. Millboard just performs better.
Sometimes, but with conditions. The existing sub-frame needs to be structurally sound, at the correct joist spacing for composite (usually closer than standard timber decking), and the right height to accommodate the new board thickness plus any fixings. In my experience, retrofitting composite onto an old frame rarely works out well — the sub-frame usually needs replacing anyway. I'll assess this on site and tell you honestly whether it's worth it.
Quality composite boards carry 25-year warranties and genuinely deliver on them when installed correctly. Cheap composite (under £80/sqm boards) typically fades, expands or degrades within five to eight years. The warranty is only as good as the brand backing it — I only work with products I'd put in my own garden.
Quality capped composite with a textured surface is actually more slip-resistant than smooth timber in wet conditions. Millboard's embossed grain texture gives good grip year-round. Untextured or heavily worn composite can become slippery — another reason I don't recommend budget products. I'll always specify an appropriate product for the specific conditions of your garden.
Individual boards can be replaced, but it's harder than with timber — the hidden clip fixing system means you need to remove boards back from the damaged section to access the fixings. It's also worth noting that board colours can shift subtly over time, so a replacement board from the same range may not match perfectly. Composite is best thought of as a long-term, low-maintenance installation — not something you'll frequently repair.
Three-year workmanship guarantee on all my builds, plus the manufacturer's product warranty (25 years for Millboard). The workmanship guarantee covers anything related to how the job was installed — sub-frame, fixings, drainage, board movement. I'm fully insured and references are available on request.
Get Started

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Call or WhatsApp. No forms, no obligation — just a straight conversation about what you want and what it'll cost.

Call 07855 523 033 WhatsApp Darren
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