With so many options available for  decking today choosing the right  material may seem overwhelming.  Making the choice will come down  to a number of factors…

Any requirements or guidance from  your park owner, budget, aesthetics and ease of maintenance. Besides this you might want to weigh up the pros and cons of each product.

This article considers the most popular  options at holiday parks across the UK.

The three most common types of  decking available in our market are  timber, composite and PVC.

TIMBER DECKING (SOFTWOOD)
Traditionally decking was pretty much always completed using softwood. For many years it has been the cheapest decking material on the market. It’s made of fast-growing trees, which makes it more eco-friendly than hardwood decking. It’s easy to install and work with.

While natural wood is the cheapest decking material, it also requires the highest amount of maintenance. It is prone to splitting, twisting, splinters, and worst of all, growing slippery algae that can pose a danger to anyone walking on it.

COMPOSITE DECKING
Composite timber decking (sometimes called WPC decking) is a unique blend of recycled plastics and wood materials that creates a strong, durable, beautiful looking alternative to timber. It goes without saying that composites are naturally impervious to rot and insects. They have the added advantage of being maintenance-free throughout their lives. 

Like anything which is left to the elements 24 hours a day for many years, some fading of colours is unavoidable. The most notable fading will come from  the darker colours.

This could be encouraged by a number of factors, including UV rays, weathering, high footfall, sun cream or other lotions or chemicals being spilt on the deck. The higher quality of material the less likely the boards are to fade.

PVC DECKING
PVC decking does not crack, splinter, or warp. It is fully waterproof and has low maintenance. Furthermore, PVC does not encourage the growth of algae and lasts an incredibly long period of time. It costs slightly more than timber but has a lot more mileage. You can probably get away with missing a year of annual maintenance.

Consider recycling your PVC deck at the end of its lifecycle to ensure it doesn’t pollute the environment.