Keeping up-to-date with changing garden trends can be difficult as each year can bring new ideas and designs on how to style your garden. Decking is a popular choice for many, with composite options becoming a more viable choice, providing low maintenance properties which is great for spending more time in your garden, and less time maintaining it.
In this blog we discuss the versatility of composite decking and it's benefits over natural timber, as well as ways in which it can be used in your outdoor space to fit your lifestyle and design aesthetic, including materials and products it can be paired with to create a tranquil, low maintenance outdoor space.
Composite decking is starting to appear more and more throughout the landscaping industry, with traditional timber decking becoming a less desirable choice. Although wood decking is still used in many designs, there is no mistaking that whilst it may cost less initially, the upkeep and maintenance over time can be costly. In addition to this, wooden decking has a much shorter lifespan than its composite counterpart. The Piranha Hunter composite decking comes with a 10 year domestic warranty, whilst the Terrafuzion range boasts a 25 year domestic warranty.
Composite choices are a brilliant option, and a trend that is more than likely to keep growing for years to come, mainly due to their low maintenance properties and durability. Whilst still a matter on design choice and budget, it's definitely worthwhile doing some background research before investing in your future decking.
Including lighting in the design of your decking is perfect for illuminating your new area, whilst keeping space usage to a minimum when compared to other lighting options. The inclusion of smart lighting gives homeowners the chance to truly customise the appearance of their outdoor areas, with a variety of colours to choose from, you can change the mood of your decked areas with the touch of a button.
Other options including strip, stair and post lighting which each offer different styles and purposes, but ultimately, provide ambiance and visibility to your outdoor space.
For practical use as well as aesthetic, there are many types of railing to choose from with glass or cable railing being used for more modern designs, and wood or rustic for more traditional. There are also other options to choose from such as a cocktail railing, these are essentially a flat surface on top of the railing which provide room for your phone, books, plates, or as the name suggests, a cocktail. These are a great choice if your decked area is to be used to entertain, and are perfect if you're working with a smaller space that cannot host larger furniture.
Level-up your unused balconies and roof terraces with decking. It's a great option for outdoor flooring and can be installed almost anywhere, turning the most basic of balconies into modern and beautiful recreational areas. Transforming your balcony into an outdoor recreation area is a viable option with composite decking, as its weather resistance means there is little maintenance to have to worry about. Check out the Pavetuf range of Adjustable Risers, which are great for installing composite decking on balconies and roof terraces!
Our Terrafuzion range of composite decking is fully capped, allowing for increased damage and stain resistance, meaning you can invite friends and family over for drinks without the worry of accidental spills on your lovely new decking. This range also boasts increased protection against fading and weathering, providing each board with an extra-long life, making it the idea choice for open top balconies.
Complementing the colour palette of your chosen decking by adding similar colours through the furniture you buy, or the plant life you choose, is great for brightening up your decking areas. Opting for bright and bold furniture to work with your deck is another design trend that appears to be emerging. It can help your new decking appear more inviting and certainly adds an attractive design element to it whilst creating a warming ambiance.
Additionally, with flowers, planters, and other foliage in the mix, your deck can appear even more vibrant. If you're looking for a more natural and timeless feel, whilst adding a burst of colour, our Espresso/Mocha might be right up your street.
If you don't have a lot of space to work with, you could consider using other techniques to enhance your space. A common trend in smaller gardens is the use of elevated designs that incorporate steps or stairs as these can help add layers to your deck. Most common for city dwellers and those with modest plot sizes, it's important to find ways to help maximise the usage of your space. Trends seem to hint at homeowners opting for small and simple designs where detailing can be noticed, and where there isn't too much square footage to cover.
Some small decking ideas lean towards a minimalist approach by only including a few pieces of furniture to avoid clutter. Another is the use of wall hooks as these can be used for all sorts from lights, plants or decoration and only help work towards freeing up that much-needed space.
We hope this article has given you a better understanding of the benefits of composite decking of natural timber and has given you some insight into how you can style your installation with various products and materials, to get the most out of your space. For further information on everything you need to know about composite decking, check out another recent blog of ours here!
