Category: Outdoors

Composite materials have revolutionised home design. From stylish doors to worktops they are versatile and very hardwearing, and the same can be said about composite decking.

If you want an outdoor area that looks good, is anti-slip and doesn’t require lots of maintenance (who’s got time for sanding and re-painting every year) then composite decking is the choice for you.

First Of All, What Is Composite Decking?

The reason that composite decking is so durable is that it is made from a mix of wood flour and PVC which creates an extremely strong material. This makes it weatherproof and stain-resistant.

It’s also ecological, very low maintenance and comes in lots of different colours. You can choose a traditional wood colour or a modern shade of grey.

Loads Of Choice

Available in different finishes, thicknesses and widths, composite decking can be used almost anywhere. You can use it to create a flat deck or a raised platform with steps, you can even create a bridge with it or use it for the surrounding area of a pond or pool.

There are a number of really good brands that supply composite decking including DuoFuse.

How To Install Composite Decking

The composite decking which we supply comes in both hollow and solid form that will not rot, swell, splinter or warp. They come as a complete system with all necessary fittings and accessories to make fitting them easy.

Aluminium Substructure

An aluminium substructure forms the foundations of the decking and guarantees an easy and fast assembly of the composite decking boards.

The composite decking boards can be installed either 35 mm or 48,5 mm from the ground. No screws or nails are required thanks to the specially designed clips boards which are fastened to the wood composite beams. The boards come in various finishes from the smooth brushed finish to rough ribbed with matching skirting boards and clips.

This system is proven to be 50% faster to install than traditional wooden decking and has many fantastic features, including:

• Faster assembly
• Straight beams
• Lightweight
• Dimensionally stable
• Weatherproof
• Easy installation
• 100% recyclable
• Pre-drilling not necessary
• Invisible fixing

Now you know the basics here’s a step-by-step guide to fitting your deck.

Basic Fitting Guidelines

Step One – The Ground

It’s important to make sure that the ground where you want to install your decking is suitable and prepared. The ground must:

• Have sufficient ventilation under the boards so that they can dry after a shower.
• Be flat and stable.
• Have a slope of 10mm every meter in the direction of the board so that the water can drain and not remain on, in or under the board.

Step Two – Fixing The Beams

• The decking boards are installed on beams so the next step is to install them.
• Align all beams, so that the starter clips can be fixed at the front of every beam.
• The distance between the beams should be a maximum 500mm. ( You must also Install an extra beam 200mm from the first and the last beam at the beginning and the end of the decking.)
• Beams should be fixed to a concrete foundation or on a supporting structure every 500mm.

Step Three – Fixing The Boards

• Boards should be placed in the same direction (there is a mark on the inner side of every board).
• Boards should be placed 5mm/m apart to allow expansion, with a minimum of 15mm away from every wall.
• Holes must be pre-drilled before fixing the clips.
• The first and last board must be fixed using starter and finishing clips. The next board after the first can then be inserted into the previous clips and secured on the beams with standard clips.
• Butting clips allow the boards to be joined lengthways with spacing between the short sides of 10mm.
• Once all boards are installed the starter and finishing clips must be installed at the end of all boards.
• The boards must not overhang the last support beam by more than 50mm..
• The terrace can be finished with a skirt or L-Profile.

Composite decking is also suitable for higher placement such as on roof terraces. You can use polypropylene pedestals that allow heights of more than 200 mm.

Finishing Touches

Now you’ve installed your decking you’ll need a safe way to finish it off. If you’re decking is raised then it’s especially important to consider safety, particularly if you have small children. The right decking balustrade will finish your decking off, make sure it looks great AND it’s safe.

There are lots of options to choose from for the edges of your decking. You can incorporate seating or raised flower beds or be finished with some edging and left open. However, if your decking is raised from the ground it is sensible to have some form of fencing or a decking balustrade in place. This can be achieved with wood or a composite material, however, this can spoil the view into your garden.

Glass Decking Balustrades

Another option is toughened safety glass which can be installed using hardware which perfectly matches your decking and general outside area. Toughened glass is really low maintenance, strong, weather-proof and won’t rust or rot. This type of safety glass is designed to be heat and impact resistant and is completely safe for use in and out of the home. It can provide the finishing touch to your decking area and won’t interrupt your view of the garden.

What Are You Waiting For

If your patio is crying out for a makeover then composite decking boards are a great solution for an easy to install, low-maintenance but very stylish deck.

Made from extremely durable material and supplied with a complete system of fittings and accessories, they make both fitting and maintaining fast and hassle-free.

If you’re looking for an outdoor glass balustrade to complete your decking then get in touch with our friendly team who will be happy to help you.

There are lots of things to consider when creating or upgrading a decked area. Wood or composite panels, light or dark colour, open-ended or a decking balustrade to finish it off? 

Good decking is the perfect way to bring the outside in. Wide patio doors opening on to a flush decking area extends your living space and brings fresh air into your home. Equally, a separate decked area within your garden can create a little oasis away from it all. 

The possibilities are endless, so here’s some inspiration to help you make your choice.

Which Material?

Wood

First up is standard deck board which is available from lots of different hardware stores. The one pictured to the left is standard deck board and the one to the right is patio deck tile

Profiled deck board has a ridged surface finish and is pressure treated to prevent rot.  It can be very affordable and looks very natural and in keeping with the garden surroundings. However, this type of board is prone to splitting and rot and requires maintenance on a regular basis.

Patio deck tiles are designed for small decked areas and are very easy to install as they snap into place. These tiles are not as long-lasting as other types of wooden decking and can be ‘gappy’.

Both of the pictured products and can be purchased HERE and HERE.

Composite

The other very popular alternative to wood is composite decking. This is made from a mix of wood flour and PVC which creates an extremely strong material. This durable material is ecological and very low maintenance. It is also available in lots of different colours. You can choose a traditional wood colour or a modern shade of grey. It also comes in various different finishes, thicknesses and widths. It is strong and both weather and stain-resistant, however,  it does tend to come with a higher price tag.  There are a number of really good brands out there including the products pictured above by DuoFuse. 

Colour

Colour is a really good way to personalise your decking. If you are using wood there are lots of different wood stains out there which also give your deck a non-slip finish. There are also some fantastic paints which will really give your deck the wow factor. Owatrol has some amazing colours available, including the blue pictured above.

Decking Balustrade & Edging

The right decking balustrade will give your decking a facelift making sure that it looks great AND it’s safe.

There are lots of options to choose from for the edges of your decking. It can be built up and incorporate seating or raised flower beds. If low level it can simply be finished with some edging and left open. However, if your decking is raised it is sensible to have some form of fencing or a decking balustrade in place. This can be achieved with wood or a composite material both of which can look really good. The only down-side to wooden or composite fencing is that it can spoil the view into your garden.

Glass Decking Balustrades

Another option is toughened safety glass which can be installed using hardware which matches your decking and general outside area. Toughened glass is a really low maintenance option to use as a decking balustrade. It is very strong, weather-proof and won’t rust or rot. This type of safety glass is designed to be heat and impact resistant and is completely safe for use in and out of the home. It can really provide the finishing touch to your decking area. Additionally, a glass balustrade doesn’t interrupt your view of the garden, but it does provide a level of safety especially if you have small children.

Finishing Touches

The finishing touches are where you can really inject your personality into your decking area. Which furniture, lighting and accessories you choose will make all the difference.

Lighting

There are some beautiful lighting options out there. From sleek hard-wired lighting such as the Gaspard Outdoor Sconce (left) to the more whimsical battery-powered Howser 10-Light Festoon Light (bottom right) which are both available from Wayfair. Low-level and flush solar options are also available. A really good example is the Lincoln Solar Decking Light (top right) which is available from The Solar Centre. These lights which use soar power are both stylish and affordable.

Home Comforts

The best thing about relaxing outdoors on your decking is the home comforts which are readily available. You can get cosy and read a book or enjoy a drink in complete comfort.

There are some really stylish options out there to keep you warm once the sun has gone down in the evening. Here are a few of our favourites.

There’s nothing more comforting than a soft blanket to cosy up with. The beautiful Herringbone Blankets from Weaver Green are hand-woven using recycled plastic bottles each. Soft and cosy like wool, they are stain-resistant and easy to clean so they are perfect for outdoors.

Patio heaters are also a great way to keep you warm and we love this Salvador Lamp Style Electric Heater from Homebase. An alternative heat source is a fire pit. They come in lots of different shapes and sizes and give a rustic touch to your decking. The Ivy Line Square Firepit from John Lewis is contemporary and lightweight and really looks the part.

***If you are going to use a fire pit on your decking you must use a ceramic base to sit it on, you can get more advice from wherever you decide to purchase your fire pit from***

Summer Ready

We hope we’ve given you some inspiration to update your outdoor area! If you have any questions about decking or decking balustrades don’t hesitate to get in touch.

All of our glass balustrades are made from safety glass and can be cut to size and made to fit your deck perfectly. We also offer frosted and coloured glass and we have lots of ideas to make your outdoor area really special.

You can call us on 01253 893355 or email enquiries@abelglass.co.uk