Our products are only available to purchase from our official stockist. We do not sell direct to consumers or trade. If you wish to become a stockist of DDecks products please contact us for more details: sales@ddecks.co.uk
Composite Decking is a blend of Hard Wood Fibres (ethically sourced from reclaimed materials), recycled polyethylene (typically attained from recycled plastic milk bottles that would have otherwise ended up in landfill), bonding agent and high-quality colour tint. The resulting product is a long lasting, hardwearing, low maintenance alternative to traditional timber decking. It is a sustainable solution for any decking project.
Simple to Maintain
DDecks’ decking has one large benefit over traditional wood decking: it needs far less maintenance. There is no need for treatments as the boards never have to be sealed, stained or painted and even in direct sunlight they won’t warp or crack. Just a simple clean yearly with a jet wash is required.
Protecting the Environment
The high quality decking boards we offer combinse the natural appearance and aesthetic appeal of wood but are manufactured from recycled materials and are toxic free.
Strong Durability
The plastic content of the material means that the boards become more durable, resistant to rot, mould, staining and insects. The boards have minimal water absorption which means they are highly slip resistant and can be used around pools and wet areas. Due to the increased durability of the boards composite decking has a much longer lifespan than its wooden ancestors, our own ranges come with a long guarantee.
As the boards are manufactured, they provide high performance and are free from cracks, knots and splits which is not the case with traditional timber decking. DDecks’ decking is hardwearing and able to withstand scuffing from scratches associated with heels, furniture and weight.
Composite boards come in hollow and solid varieties. Hollow boards tend to have hollow chambers running throughout the length of the board, whilst solid boards are stronger and heavier than the hollow boards. Both hollow and solid boards are available through DDecks and serve differing requirements. The DDecks product range will have a product to suit nearly any residential or commercial need. DDecks decking is widely used in commercial and public projects.
If you intend to store Ddecks boards prior to installation, it should be stored indoors in polythene wrap. If items are to be stored outside then they should be properly sheltered to prevent direct interference from sunlight, rain, moisture etc. The product must be close stacked in the shade, clear of the ground on levelled bearers (100mm), they should be stored on a level surface such as a concrete floor. Products need to be stored in a manner that prevents sagging and permits free air circulation.
The decking boards are available in a variety of colours to compliment your project needs. Decking images showcasing each colour can be found on individual product pages.
All of our composite decking products are far more fade-resistant then timber decking. How well your decking endures the natural environment will depend on the type of boards you use.
Taking care of a traditional wooden deck can be a lot of work. Most wooden decks will need to be sealed and stained at least every 2-3 years to prolong their colour as the British summer and watery winters take their toll on even the most hard-wearing stains and paints.
All of our composite decking solutions are more fade-resistant than traditional wooden decking. However, how well your deck endures mother nature depends upon what type of decking you have. Our DuroDual and D3 composite decking will lighten-up in colour-tone, achieving their weathered colour after a period of up to 6 months. The level of fade hereafter will be minimal once the boards have reached this colour tone. Our Duro360 composite decking has a protective outer technology which provides far superior fade and stain resistance.
Our DuroDual and D3 are manufactured from wood fibres/powder and recycled plastics, once installed they will go through a natural weathering process for the first 3-6 months. This is mainly due to the boards surface texture (uncapped) which are made from recycled wood to give a more natural appearance. However, as with all wood types when exposed to mother nature’s elements, over time, the colour will lighten.
Extractive Bleeding Stage
The first natural process for DuroDual and D3 is a stage known as extractive bleeding, due to the material of the boards which contains recycled wood. As a result it contains natural wood oils (called tannins). The wood oils are gradually washed out by rain and moisture in the air and this happens within the first 8-10 weeks. Please note that lighter colour composite decking boards go through the most changes as more natural wood oils are used to achieve the colour.
Natural Weathering Stage
The next process is natural weathering caused by the Suns UV rays. Our DuroDual and D3 composite decking board incorporate UV ray stabilizers helping to control this natural process. However, as with most woods it will lighten over time. The rate of fading will be most noticeable during first 3-6 months. How aggressive and intense the fading or bleaching will be, depends on the environment and weather. D3 will show more fading in the earlier period mainly due to the embossing process used on the board.
After the first 3-6 months natural weathering process, the colour fade of the composite decking boards will stabilise, the fade will continue but at a much slower rate. In DDecks experience, we often advise our customers that the most noticeable change in colour will be in the first 6-12 weeks after this period the composite decking boards will stabilise to there natural lighter colour, but again will continue at a much slower rate.The most noticeable change is when using the wood grain effect where the contrast between the two shades decreases significantly.
Extractive bleeding and fading as a result of UV rays is a standard feature of all uncapped composite materials containing wood and will be seen in products across the market.
Our Duro360 composite decking is often referred to as “capped” Co-Extrusion decking. The decking board has a cap covering the entire surface of the decking board which offers added protection against fading and staining with near to no colour changes during its life.
Any fading will usually settle after a 6 month period depending on your layout and the amount of exposure to the elements. Slight colour variations may occur when ordering boards from different batches. Please speak with your stockists to ensure you have enough boards initially to avoid any batch variations.
Our R&D teams are always working hard to improve the impact of the two stages and continue to modify and test the decking boards.
Our D3 and Dual composite deck boards are composed of wood fibres and recycled plastic and are uncapped, meaning they are not fully resistant to spot stains. If spillage or stain occurs, we recommend acting promptly – treating the affected area and following the steps in our care guide. Our D360 range is a capped composite deck board which means they wrapped in a outer layer all the way around that forms a protective barrier around the core of the product. This provides stain resistance and an simple to clean surface.
Composite decking is robust and resilient, but like all outdoor flooring products can still be damaged by scratches and marks. We recommend allowing normal wear marks to disappear gradually with weathering. Avoid dragging or sliding heavy objects on top of the decking including garden furniture and plant pots. To prevent most of this, try using soft foam feet or felt pads on the bottom corners of your pieces. Lay down outdoor rugs or other floor coverings for pets. With these in place, much of the surface impact is removed to limit most scratches into the decking. It is also worth mentioning items regularly left on the decking can also impact on the weathering that the boards receive. It is recommended that all items of furniture are regularly moved to allow for more evenly distributed weathering.
Although great care is taken in the production process of our products, residual oils can potentially be present in our D3 and Dual composite ranges, which can sometimes leach out and appear as white streaks on the surface of the deck boards. While these water marks will gradually disappear over a period of approximately 6-8 weeks when the boards are exposed to rain water. Our D3 deck boards are protected with a outer layer, which ensures the oils within the boards and do not leach-out onto the surface. This makes this type of capped composite board highly resistant to the effects of water marks.
DDecks decking is very easy to maintain, and we recommend that a routine clean a couple of times a year, consisting of using soap, warm water and a soft-bristled brush. To reduce the risk of staining and damage, regularly removing or brushing debris off the deck is advised, this will also reduce the number of times that a deeper cleaning will be required. You can find more information about looking after your deck in our care and cleaning guide.
This will depend on the colour option. Lighter coloured boards tend to be slightly cooler than darker composite boards.
Composite decking is more expensive to manufacture than timber decking, but it is a more sustainable solution. Investing in DDecks composite decking means that you will be spared costs associated with the maintenance, repair and replacement of timber decking which is more susceptible to perish, rot, split and warp – so in the long run, you will be saving money.
All our deck boards come in 3.6m long boards but can easily be cut to custom sizes for your project with standard carpentry tools. In order to plan we would ask you to take measurements of your proposed area and discuss with your landscaper or your local stockist. Composite boards are not directly screwed into the joists unlike classic wood decking. They are secured using hidden fasteners that leave you with a clean and tidy finish. Installation can be done by a tradesman or confident end user. Click here to view our installation guide. We recommend adding an extra 5% of materials for off-cuts and wastage, or an extra 15% for diagonally aligned boards.
You can also use our useful decking calculator to guide you how much decking you will need: Decking Calculator
Please Note: Our ranges will lighten and lose up to 40% of its colour in the first 6 months before stabilising to its final colour. Building materials are made in different batches. Batches can differ in size, shade, texture and colour. We always recommend ordering all of your decking together.
Composite Decking Boards have a width tolerance of up to 2%.
Yes, DDecks decking is manufactured with the highest quality materials and processes available. All of our products are covered by a limited manufacturers warranty and are there to cover against product failure and manufacturing defects to give you peace of mind. For more information please see our warranty documents: Duro360 Warranty , D3 & DuroDual Warranty.
Installation of composite decking uses the same method of installation as traditional timber decking, however our range, has the added benefit of grooves in the side of the decking which means that hidden fasteners can easily be slipped in between the boards during installation. This means that installation is often faster than laying a traditional timber deck and you’ll have no visible screws.
please refer to our easy to understand installation guides
The joist spacing we advise for our products is to ensure the boards will endure the test of time and equally perform to level they have been tested to. Please remember to follow the installation instructions when installing your deck, you will find all our installation guides here.
A house is only as strong as its foundation, and your decking is only as strong as its frame. If the joists that span the length of your decking are installed too far apart, the boards will sag. If the joists are not all the same exact height, the decking surface will be uneven. If they are too close together other issues can arise.
Joists spacing should be measured from centre to centre not edge to edge.
It is important to leave gaps between boards when installing your composite decking, but the size of the gap you choose can vary but must be a minimum 5mm long all sides of the board. The space left should be big enough for adequate drainage and board expansion in the heat, and the gaps are exactly the same size to give a uniform finish. We supply easy-to-install hidden fasteners that act as spacers, making it easier to achieve perfectly even spacing. Our hidden fasteners are durable and cost-effective.
Gaps of 5 – 12mm are recommended for butt joints (where one deck board touches another) and a minimum 10mm gap where the deck ends against walls etc. Please note that the weather makes a massive difference – on hot days the boards will be expanded, so they will need minimal gaps. On cold days the boards will be contracted, so install them with the larger gap size. Details on spacing can be found in the installation guide.
Important: Do not let deck boards meet at the ends (butt joints). Butt Joints should be supported by double joisting with one hidden fastener at each end. Do not install the decking in extreme temperatures.
Composite decking boards will expand and contract due to variations in temperature. The rate of expansion and contraction is dictated by the outside environment – The composite boards will be at their biggest when hottest and, as they cool, they will reduce in size. This must be taken into account ahead of installation as this has a bearing on the “end-to-end” spacing required between boards. Our fixings are designed to control the movement of the boards – that’s why it’s imperative to ensure correct installation and adhere to our installation guides.
Composite decking boards do not always return to their original positions after expansion and contraction, and therefore sometimes you may see different expansion and contraction gaps occurring within your decking.
DDecks fixings should be used when installing DDecks products. Composite boards are subject to expansion and contraction and the fixings allow the boards to expand and contract freely.
We do not endorse the use of any non-recommended spacers/accessories. If any condition occurs which is attributable to the use of a non-recommended spacers/accessories, such conditions would not be covered under the Warranty. Please see our online installation guide for more information and how to install using our recommended accessories.
When thinking about your composite decking area, the first item for a successful installation will be the base you create. Without the correct foundation, your composite deck will not be able to last as long as it should. You need a solid base so that your decking will stay stable, strong and be safe to use for outdoor activities. A solid and level base, especially for goround level and elevated decks is vital. The simplest way to achieve this is by pouring concrete over the area where the deck will be installed. However, keeping in mind to create drainage to avoid water pooling, which can potentially damage the frame of your deck.
Another option to create a base for your chosen decking area is to use concrete slabs which can be used directly on the dirt. However, you should remove all grass, rocks and weeds from the area. Cover the ground with landscaping fabric to prevent growth of weeds and grass. Alternatively after covering the ground with landscaping fabric, it can be laid with gravel. You should cover it with at least 50mm gravel. The gravel is very useful as it will absorb moisture. However we suggest using concrete slabs ficed at the four corners of your decking so that the joists are not directly on the ground.
For uneven landscapes, besides using slabs, you can install adjustable pedestals.You can use them to raise the level of the decking without the need to make major alterations to your decking area. Please speak with your local stockist to discuss your requirements.
It is essential to create a level surface for your subframe to be built upon.
Supporting every composite deck with a strong and reliable subframe which can be made up of joists and pedestals or battens. This substructure is vitally important to make sure your deck allows drainage and airflow, and your deck is only as durable as the frame holding it up. The most inexpensive option is to use treated wood with DDecks protective joist tape. This method is ideal for free draining and dry conditions. You can also use a composite or steel sub frame profile which is useful in damp conditions or areas with low air circulation or where the deck is over 1 metre off the ground. Customers can choose the right subframe for their environment and as long as the principles outlined in our installation guide are followed. We offer a range of substructure accessories,please speak with your local stockist to discuss your requirements.
We recommend building in a gradual gradient of at least 1 in 100 which runs away from any adjoining building or structure. Decking boards should run lengthways down this gradient to help water naturally disperse.
Constructing anything from wood, especially outdoors, opens it up to the natural elements. Even when a substructure is constructed with treated wood, it will eventually be prone to mold, mildew, rot and weathering. An effective and affordable way to protect and seal your deck’s substructure is by using our DDecks Protect tape for your joists.
The benefits of using DDeck Protect tape include:
Evidence suggests exposure to natures elements, results in 90 percent of a deck’s substructure to split and rot at around 8 to 10 years. The most common area for this damage to occur is where the deck boards come in contact with the deck substructure. Ensure your deck is safely supported by its substructure for the life of the deck with minimal cost with joist protection tape.
DDecks Protect tape is a premium non-butyl self-sealing tape manufactured from a massively strong polymer acrylic adhesive, which gives a completely waterproof and weatherproof seal. With a permanent adhesive bond this greatly adds to the life of your deck frame. Tested with all timber treatments. Using joist protection tape is easy.Peel and apply DDecks protect tape which allows the wood to breathe because it is applied as a cap directly on the top of the joists. The tape also protects screw holes from moisture by acting as a barrier.
As you consider all the benefits of joist protection tape — preventing rot and extending the life of your substructure by retaining its integrity and stength is key for you and your family to enjoy your outdoor living space for years to come.
Now that you understand just how important joist protection tape is — the answer to the original question is clear. Should I use joist protection tape? Yes! pick up your premium DDecks Protect tape to protect your deck’s frame – available from your local stockist.
Composite decking requires no specialist tools. The decking can be installed using the same tools you would use to install timber decking.
All our boards are manufactured at 3.6m in length. All our composite decking boards can be cut in the same way as traditional wood to accommodate your project. We would recommend that you ask a professional to cut the boards for you using a power circular saw.
It Is not recommended to screw our decking boards through the face to secure them and doing so will invalidate the warranty. We only advise using the correct DDecks fixings in line with our installation guides. As the boards are made from a composite material they will expand and contract, using the Ddecks fixing will ensure that the boards more freely without causing any damage.
We have a strong network of recommended installers. We are happy to provide details of installers but would also recommend you understand the third party prior to contract.
Our products are only available to purchase from our official stockist. We do not sell direct to consumers or trade. If you wish to become a stockist of DDecks products please contact us for more details: sales@ddecks.co.uk
Yes, it only takes a few minutes to register your product warranty and get covered. We don’t stop caring about our products once they are yours. Activate your warranty by registering your product through our website: Register Warranty.
Composite cladding is a lightweight and durable mix of materials that you can use to cover the exterior of your home or any out-door building to provide a weatherproof aesthetically pleasing finish. Composite cladding boards are used widely because they are a better alternative to timber and other cladding materials. It also provides protection from nature’s elements and adds insulation.
No – C-Clad Composite Cladding is a blend of Hard Wood Fibres (ethically sourced from reclaimed materials), recycled polyethylene (typically attained from recycled plastic milk bottles that would have otherwise ended up in landfill), bonding agent and high-quality colour tint. The resulting product is a long lasting, hardwearing, low maintenance alternative to traditional timber cladding. It is a sustainable solution for any project. Composite cladding is made of recycled materials only.
Composite cladding comes with lots of advantages that makes it a true alternative to wood.
Our C-Clad composite cladding boards come in a unique set of colours to complement your project. The colour options can be found on the C-Clad product page.
C-Clad composite cladding boards are designed and manufactured to replicate the natural variants of timber cladding. We recommended to purchase all boards required for the project at the same time, as this will ensure colour consistency. We recommend laying out all the boards before installation to ensure a natural effect of grain and colour tone is balanced across the whole of your cladding. As with all materials exposed to direct sunlight, some natural weathering will occur over time
Our C–Clad composite cladding is designed to withstand the elements, providing exceptional resistance to weathering due to the design and production process encompassing the board with a protective outer layer. This does not affect our composite cladding in any way, only enhances its performance.
The protective outer layer on our composite cladding will ensure it is highly UV and stain resistant, allowing your project to retain a wonderful finish, remaining the same for a long time.
Our composite cladding will fade to a lighter colour between twelve to sixteen weeks after you expose it to sunlight and rain. It is around this time that you will notice the colour reduction. After this period, our composite cladding colour will remain the same throughout the lifetime of the cladding.
Yes, C-Clad composite cladding expands and contracts due to temperature fluctuations. The correct spacing between cladding boards is important to ensure the durability of the installation. The recommended spacing can be found on our installation guides.
Our composite cladding will not rot or splinter after installation. C–Clad has the additional advantage that it will not swell because it has a capped surface that reduces moisture absorption.
No, insects will not have any impact on your composite cladding boards. We have engineered our product so that it will resist issues seen in timber cladding like termite attack.
Our products are only available to purchase from our official stockist. We do not sell direct to consumers or trade. If you wish to become a stockist of DDecks products please contact us for more details: sales@ddecks.co.uk
Our composite cladding comes with a 20 year residential warranty and 10 years on commercial use as long as they have been installed according to our installation and care guides.
As C–Clad Cladding products are part wood,the Cladding boards are not fire rated. Our composite cladding boards are less combustible and flammable than plastic and wood cladding.
C–Clad Composite Cladding Boards are available in 3.6m lengths. Each 3.6m length can cover 0.45sqm. Each Board weighs approximately 7.0kg. This makes it easy for homeowners to fix the cladding when they are installing it.
C–Clad Composite Cladding Boards should always be stored in a cool shaded spot, on a flat and level surface which supports the whole length of the Boards. It is recommended to store the Boards on a pallet to ensure they are not sat directly on wet or cold ground.
C-Clad Composite cladding is easy to install. The process of installing cladding can be found on the following link: C-Clad Installation Video. Also, you can cut C-Clad cladding easily during the process of installation but we do recommended any cut pieces to be installed straight away.
Temperature changes could cause the Boards to expand or contract. Ensure Boards have had sufficient time to acclimatise to the temperature before installing. Do not install in extreme temperatures.
Composite cladding requires no specialist tools. The boards can be installed using the same tools you would use to install timber cladding.
Please do not completely seal your installation, allow some air to flow between the Cladding Boards and the surface below when fitting the trims.
We have a strong network of recommended installers. We are happy to provide details of installers but would also recommend you understand the third party prior to contract.
Our products are only available to purchase from our official stockist. We do not sell direct to consumers or trade. If you wish to become a stockist of DDecks products please contact us for more details: sales@ddecks.co.uk
Yes, it only takes a few minutes to register your product warranty and get covered. We don’t stop caring about our products once they are yours. Activate your warranty by registering your product through our website: Resgister Warranty