Composite Decking in South Africa: Here is all You Need to Know

Before getting deep into the topic, you should know the basics of composite decking. Composite Decking is an artificial building material composed of a combination of wood, then fibres, polymers, and a limited amount of bonding chemicals. This mixture is cooked, molded into board-like lengths, and chilled. The boards that result require significantly less upkeep than regular wood decking and appear far more authentic than plastic counterparts.

Because of South Africa's increased environmental awareness, the search for environmentally safe and sustainable decking solutions has become more urgent than ever. Customers can now purchase from various ecologically friendly decking options as there is a wide range of available options in South Africa. Not only are the customers adapting, but many more suppliers are following suit.

Purchasing and installing composite decking boards in South Africa might cost anywhere between R 1,500 and R 4,000 per meter squared, depending on the size of your deck and the amount of labor necessary. The Composite Company is the best decks providing company in South Africa.

If you want to enhance your living area's size, placing decking products in your backyard is a great way to do so. However, with so many alternatives available, ranging from wood decking products to plastic decking, deciding which is the best option for you and your home can be challenging.

Benefits of Composite Decking

Generally, there are so many benefits of composite decking, but we've broken down the essential aspects of composite decking products below to assist you in making your decision easy and clear your confusion about these:

1. Composite decking has one significant advantage over traditional wood decking: it requires significantly less upkeep. It does not require washing, staining, or replacement on the hands and knees. When you create a standard wood deck, you're not just getting an outside living space; you're also getting a labor-intensive, expensive undertaking that comes around every so many year.
2. Because of the plastic composition, the boards are more robust and resistant to rot, humidity, and insects. The boards never need to be sealed, stained, or painted, and they won't warp or break even when exposed to direct sunshine. Composite decking planks are splinter-free, and with the addition of plastic capping, they become stain and fade-resistant.
3. The boards absorb very little water, making them very slip-resistant and suitable for usage around pools and wet places. Composite decking has a significantly longer lifespan than its wooden ancestors due to the enhanced durability of the boards. Our own varieties come with a 15–25 year guarantee, but we expect them to last much longer.
4. Traditional wood comes in a variety of hardness ratings and reacts to its surroundings differently depending on the species of lumber used. That implies you might have to compromise on the aesthetic you desire to account for the material's softness and/or variability. One of the numerous advantages of composite decking is the ability to express your individual style without worrying about performance or limitations.
5. Although they are slightly more expensive when first purchased, composite decking looks beautiful year after year and requires almost no maintenance. In brief, composite decking requires significantly less maintenance than traditional wood decking, allowing you to spend less time upkeep and more time enjoying your environment.
6. It's important to note, though, that your decking will last at least 25 years, so the longer you keep it, the more value you'll get out of your investment.

Impact of Composite Decking on Environment

The discourse around our communities and national space in today's eco-conscious culture centers around making all aspects of our life more ecologically friendly. Many scientists and officials have called attention to the types of items that are purchased and their environmental consequences. As a result, some homeowners are particularly concerned about the goods they use in their outside settings.

Composite decking is one of the most eco-friendly decking materials on the market. It's created out of a mix of repurposed wood and plastic. This essay will demonstrate why many people feel composite decking is eco-friendly. To back up our claim that composite decking is environmentally friendly, we'll evaluate three of the most prevalent decking materials, natural wood, plastic, and composite, to highlight their eco-friendliness as well as their potentially hazardous properties.

Comparison of Composite Decking with other Decking Products

There are a few factors to consider when choosing the most environmentally friendly decking product for your outdoor space or yard, including the manufacture or production process and the maintenance method or approach.

• Plastic Decking

Plastic decking is one of the least environmentally friendly decking materials available. It is mostly made up of synthetic materials, including polyvinyl chloride, a hazardous plastic polymer. Because it is discharged into the air, water, and land during production, polyvinyl chloride is harmful to the environment. This can result in major health issues as well as environmental devastation. Plastic decking is not recyclable. They can only be disposed of in landfills or by incineration.

There is a benefit to using plastic decking. After installation, there is no requirement for sealants or paints. This eliminates the need for additional chemical additions. Plastic decking is avoided by eco-conscious homeowners since it is non-biodegradable and difficult to dispose of.

• Wood Decking

With just a quick glance, it's tempting to believe or think that wood decking is the most environmentally friendly decking option. However, if you realize that wood decking is the result of deforestation or the felling of hundreds of thousands of trees, your viewpoint may shift.

Decking made of wood offers a distinct advantage. When it meets the end limit of its life, it can be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner. Wood decking can be reused or repurposed for a different application.

• Composite Decking Saves Trees

Deciding on the appropriate green material for your deck can be difficult. Many building items claim to be environmentally friendly, but it takes a knowledgeable customer to see through the hype. Finding a contractor who understands maintenance and durability difficulties, as well as the green features of the materials accessible in your location, is also worthwhile.

Composite decking materials, which are mostly constructed from recycled materials, save an average of 1.2 trees per deck, equating to almost one million trees saved since 2015. Companies repurpose roughly 300 million pounds of scrap or waste materials each year through recycling programs, keeping them out of landfills and converting them into beautiful and sustainable goods.

Composite decking comprises 30 to 50 percent recycled polymers and wood fibers, and it has been rapidly gaining popularity among homeowners and green builders due to its environmental benefits. It helps the environment by preserving old-growth trees while also saving homeowners time and money on upkeep charges.

Decking created from post-consumer plastics is regarded greener than decking built from virgin polymers. Companies divert an untold number of tons of plastic and wood shavings from landfills every year by recycling these resources into long-lasting, very durable decking products. A single South African company, for example, diverts 300 million pounds of plastic from landfills per year, with 125 million pounds of grocery sacks and stretch wrap.

What Makes Composite Decking the Best Eco-friendly Option?

To be considered "eco-friendly," decking material must be manufactured so that it has no detrimental influence on the environment.

1. Composite decking board manufacturers are continuously working to improve the planet's sustainability by using recycled resources in their products.
2. Composite decking boards are primarily made up of recycled wood and plastic. These recycled materials come from both industrial and consumer trash, helping to reduce the amount of plastic and wood waste that ends up in landfills each year.
3. With composite decking, you won't have to worry about using sealant or stains after or during installation. As a result, no potentially dangerous or poisonous materials are employed. This means that its use has no negative consequences for the environment.
4. It's important to keep in mind that some composite decks aren't recyclable. They are, however, easier to maintain and more durable than wood decks. The long-term value of a composite deck is said to make it a sensible investment. It can survive for up to 30 years with little maintenance. Wood and plastic decks are incomparable since they must be changed and discarded regularly.
5. Choosing recycled materials for your deck or patio is one of the simplest methods to go green when building. Traditional decks are far from carbon neutral, especially when made of tropical hardwoods, a process that contributes to the destruction of the world's rainforest ecosystems. While utilizing sustainably sourced wood is a good start, there is a far more environmentally responsible alternative: eco-friendly composite decking.
6. Fully capped composite decking turns materials like plastic and bamboo that would otherwise end up in a landfill or the world's oceans into a lovely outdoor oasis that will last for decades. Build an environmentally friendly and sustainable deck if going green and outdoor livability are important to you.

Every decking type has advantages and downsides, but composite decking is the decking option that causes the least environmental damage. The Composite Company undoubtedly provides the most environmentally friendly composite decks for eco-conscious people.