Plastic decking

[spacemonkeyhat]

Has anyone got this?

I need to re-do all the pathing and patio areas in my garden following an extension and years of neglect.
I have some old wooden decking which is rotting and desperately needs replacing.

I have very little money left and my dreams of tumbled limestone are fast fading.

I need something very very low maintenance as I don't have time, my architect mentioned plastic decking a while ago, I turned my nose up at it, but now realising I might have to get it because I can't afford anything else.

What do people think if it and what are the pros and cons?

I was thinking either black or most likely a light beige/grey.

It would be for a patio area and a decking area and a path, so a fair amount, but my garden is a nice size for a semi-detached house.

Composite decking is very expensive so I wouldn't think of it as a cheap option.

Yes as a pp said, composite decking quite expensive. We had quotes for that kind of decking and a stone patio and they were very similar.

Same here. Cost of composite decking was as expensive as stone, went with stone (riven sandstone)

We have a small area of composite decking (millboard). I can recommend it however as others have said it is no cheaper than stone.

Agree with others on price and we were put off it as have south facing garden and composite gets very hot under foot and can blister.

Does the world need more plastic?

It’s non slip and low maintenance so good from that point of view but agree the does the world need more plastic plus as others have said it is expensive. Go for stone if you can. Might be some good deals at the end of the summer for stone.

Apparently rats can live in the void under decking, whilst you only get ants under stone..

@ChateauMargaux

Does the world need more plastic?

No it doesn't, I really hate the idea of using plastic, which is why I wasn't impressed when my architect suggested it.

That's interesting that it's just as expensive as stone, but surely the preparation and labour costs are lower than for stone or tiles?

What about old bricks or oddments of paving slabs? You might be able to get some on a local selling site, and put a weed-proof layer underneath to cut down on maintenance.

@spacemonkeyhat

That's interesting that it's just as expensive as stone, but surely the preparation and labour costs are lower than for stone or tiles?

We used millboard as we wanted it for a raised terrace under trees. We would have gone for stone otherwise. I think you will find the additional cost of composite outweighs any labour costs. Millboard is about £90 per m2, stone starts at around £25 per m2 plus around £20 per m2 for fitting www.londonstone.co.uk/millboard-composite-decking/

MIL has just had a large deck finished in her garden. She was quoted £13k for composite decking where as wood cost her just under £6k.

The composite samples (millboard) looked great and apparently last for approx. 30 years but it was crazy expensive. Definitely not a cheap option!

We have a very small composite deck which replaced a patio. Decking was preferable to raise the walkway level whilst retaining well-draining land next to a damp wall.
We did it ourselves - it was just like working with timber.
It looks the same a couple of years later and requires no maintenance. Doesn't get slippy but can be very hot in full sun.
It was comparatively very expensive (and we only had materials cost), but I would happily use it again.

I had a very small area laid to replace rotten wooden decking, I extended it along the side of the house to make a step for the French windows as well as the back door where the original decking was. I am very pleased with it, but it is only 3 planks wide and cost almost £800, it is definitely a huge plus not to have to paint it.