How long does decking last?

How long does composite decking last?

The honest answer is “as long as the warranty says, and probably longer”. No independent lab figure sits behind the claims we found, so the best evidence is what makers will put in writing.

Several lines have no single figure, and Cladco’s ProDeck page contradicts itself so we leave it out: Trex’s UK site says 25 to 50 years across its range without a per-line breakdown, and some pages we read conflict, so we leave those blank. Neighbours of that number: Envirobuild’s care guide says a properly maintained deck typically lasts 25 years or more, and Ecoscape’s own estimate is about 20 years for uncapped boards and 25 to 30 for capped. A composite retailer’s table gives composite 25 to 30 years, hardwood 30 to 40 and softwood 10 to 15, but it is a commercial source dated 2017.

What does a warranty cover?

Less than the headline. Fading and staining are often excluded or limited, installation faults void cover, and some warranties require the maker’s clips or subframe. Composite Prime’s commercial warranty, for example, covers defects, splitting and rot but excludes colour fade and mildew, and replaces on a sliding scale. Envirobuild’s capped Frontier covers fade up to 5 Delta E and stains cleaned within a week; the uncapped Explorer doesn’t. Read the clause before you compare years.

How long does timber decking last?

The Wood Protection Association’s technical note TW 9 treats 15 years as the default service life for treated deck boards unless 30 is specified, and BS 8417 sets the treatment for 15, 30 or 60 years. A UK supplier of anti-slip softwood treated to UC3 and UC4 quotes 15 years. One DIYer who built a 23.5 m² timber deck expects 20 to 25 years from it, which is his own expectation, and a composite owner on video expects 25 years or more for composite against 10 to 15 for timber, also her estimate.

What makes a deck fail early?

The frame, usually. Timber joists that stay wet rot, so give them airflow, drainage and a slight fall, protect the tops with joist tape and treat every cut end. In one UK build, the frame was the dearest part of the deck. Improper joist spacing, missing gaps and the wrong fixings can void a composite warranty and cause buckling.

How do you make a deck last?

Clean it regularly, clear the gaps, keep furniture feet soft and follow your maker’s installation guide. See cleaning composite decking and timber decking for care.