Composite decking is made from wood fibre or flour bound with plastic, and it gives the look of a timber deck without the yearly oiling. Boards do not splinter or rot, and they keep their colour for years. In South Africa people choose it for stoeps in full sun, coastal gardens and townhouse patios where upkeep is a chore. Send one request and installers and deck suppliers in your area quote you directly for supply only or for a fully installed deck. It is free and there is no obligation.
Hollow or solid boards?
Composite boards come in two builds, and the choice matters:
- Hollow boards: lighter and cheaper, with channels along the length. Their open ends need end caps or a trim board, and they can feel less solid underfoot.
- Solid boards: heavier and denser, with a stronger feel and better screw holding. They cost more per square metre and are easier to cut cleanly.
Some boards are capped with a protective shell for better stain and fade resistance. Ask for the sample, and look at it in daylight. For a natural look, compare it with wooden decking.
Heat, movement and the frame
Composite expands and contracts with temperature more than timber does, so gaps at the ends and sides must follow the maker's rules. Dark boards can get hot under bare feet in full summer sun, so lighter colours suit north-facing decks.
The frame below is usually treated timber or aluminium, with joists closer together than for timber, often about 300 to 400 mm. Hidden clips give a clean surface with no visible screws. The frame still needs to drain and breathe, because moisture trapped below shortens its life even if the boards are fine.
Cleaning and aftercare
Composite needs no oil, stain or varnish. A sweep, and a wash with soapy water and a soft brush now and then, keeps it clean. Rinse off leaves and braai grease quickly so stains do not set. Avoid harsh scouring, and avoid pressure washing at close range, because it can roughen the surface. Over the first months some boards fade a little before they settle on their final colour. If you want a low-effort deck near a pool, see pool decking, where grip and heat matter even more.
Comparing composite quotes
Ask each supplier for the board type (hollow or solid), the colour range, the cap or shell, the fixing system, the joist spacing and the warranty terms in writing. Installed decks run about R3,800 to R5,500 per m², while supply only is about R1,600 to R2,900 per m². Check that edge trims, end caps, clips and the frame are included in the price. A low board price that leaves out the clips, trims and sub-frame is not a cheaper deck. A site visit lets the installer confirm levels and drainage before they quote.
What to include in your request
- Deck length and width in metres
- Hollow or solid composite boards
- Colour and any edge trim or border
- Supply only, or supplied and installed
- Whether a frame exists and its condition
Composite Decking for different clients
- Homeowners: a patio or stoep deck that needs no oiling and stays tidy in full sun
- Flats and townhouses: a courtyard or balcony deck in light boards that suits the body corporate's rules
- Builders, developers and renovators: low-upkeep decks priced per square metre and laid on a frame once levels are set
- Landlords and letting agents: a deck that tenants cannot neglect, with no oiling or sanding between leases
- Offices, practices and showrooms: a courtyard or entrance deck with slip-resistant boards that stay neat for years
- Guesthouses, lodges and restaurants: lodge and restaurant decks in solid boards that stand up to chairs and spills
- Shops, salons and cafés: an outdoor trading deck that is easy to hose down and resists fading
- Schools, halls, gyms and studios: school and clinic walkways in solid composite that need little yearly upkeep
Frequently asked questions
Do you install composite decking?
Is composite decking really maintenance free?
Does composite decking get hot in the sun?
Can composite boards go on my existing deck frame?
Composite Decking by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg