What is Composite Decking and Its Benefits? Is A Composite Deck Right For You?
Picture a deck that keeps its colour, never splinters and only needs a quick wash once in a while. That is the promise of composite decking, a board made from recycled plastics, wood fibres and advanced resins. This guide breaks down how the product is made, why it performs so well in New Zealand’s climate, and how it stacks up against traditional timber and hardwood decks.
Table of Contents
- What is Composite Decking?
- The Materials Inside a Composite Board
- How Composite Decking is Manufactured
- Four Key Benefits You Will Notice Immediately
- Composite vs Wood – Cost, Care and Carbon
- Choosing the Right Board – Quality, Design, Budget
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Next Steps
1. What is Composite Decking?
Composite decking is an engineered board formed by combining wood flour or fibres with recycled high-density plastics, then binding the mix with durable resins and pigments. The result looks like timber yet resists rot, UV fade and insect attack far better than most species of wood. Many brands now back their product with 25-year fade and stain warranties, proof of confidence in the material’s staying power.
2. The Materials Inside a Composite Board
| Ingredient | What it Does | Source Benefit |
| Wood fibres | Give realistic grain and natural feel | Keeps the aesthetic warmth of timber |
| Recycled plastics (HDPE or PP) | Encapsulate fibres, blocking moisture | Stops swelling, rot and insects |
| Binding resins | Fuse mix into a dense, stable core | Prevents delamination in harsh sunlight |
| Additives – UV blockers, colourants, antioxidants | Shield against fade and chalking | Boards remain vivid for decades |
Using recycled polymers diverts plastic from landfill and cuts the need for virgin timber, making composite an eco-friendly choice.
3. How Composite Decking is Manufactured
3.1 Extrusion
Most boards are made via extrusion. The blended raw material is heated and forced through a shaped die, forming a continuous plank with precise dimensions. Embossing rollers stamp a grain pattern while the board cools, creating texture and extra slip resistance. Consistent sizing speeds up installation because every plank is perfectly straight.
3.2 Compression moulding
Some premium profiles use compression moulding where the hot mix is pressed inside a mould. This allows deeper grain, multi-tonal colours and even curved edges straight off the line, giving designers more freedom to match modern architecture.
Both techniques deliver dense, low-void boards that are hard to dent and almost impossible to splinter.
4. Four Key Benefits You Will Notice Immediately
4.1 Durability and Longevity
Composite boards shrug off our salty air, summer UV and winter downpours. Independent tests show lifespans of 25 to 30 years, double the service life of many timber decks without major maintenance.
4.2 Low Maintenance
Forget sanding, staining and re-oiling. Routine care is a quick sweep and an annual wash with mild detergent and a hose. There is no need for toxic paints or preservatives, saving both time and money across the life of the deck.
4.3 Smaller Environmental Footprint
Each square metre of composite decking contains kilograms of recycled plastic that might otherwise go to landfill, plus wood waste from sawmills. Long life and minimal upkeep reduce replacement cycles and chemical runoff, lowering total environmental impact.
4.4 Aesthetic Versatility
Manufacturers offer dozens of colours from weathered driftwood to jet black, as well as variegated boards that mimic hardwood grain. Matching fascia, breaker boards and hidden fixing clips create a sleek, barefoot-safe surface with no visible screws.
5. Composite vs Wood – Cost, Care and Carbon
| Factor | Composite Decking | Treated Pine / Hardwood |
| Up-front installed price | $575 – $700 per m² in NZ | Pine $500 – $600 m²; Hardwood $600 – $900 m² |
| Annual maintenance | Mild soap wash | Stain or oil, sanding, nail punch |
| Expected life | 25 – 30 years with warranty | 10 – 20 years, dependent on care |
| Rot & borer | Highly resistant | Requires chemical treatment |
| Embodied carbon | High recycled content, long life | Virgin timber harvest, chemicals |
| Surface feel | No splinters, consistent grip | Natural grain, can splinter |
While composite carries a higher initial outlay than pine, the saving on labour and coatings means it usually pulls ahead financially before the tenth year.
6. Choosing the Right Composite Board
6.1 Assess Quality
- Recycled content – Aim for products with 90% or more recycled input.
- Warranty length – Look for at least 25 years on fade and stain.
- Slip rating – A P4 rating under AS 4586 suits pool surrounds and rainy regions.
6.2 Design and Colour
Use online visualisers to compare board shades against your cladding. Consider laying a breaker board to change direction and reduce waste. Check that the supplier offers matching fascia and concealed fasteners for a tidy finish.
6.3 Budget Tips
- Order all boards in one batch to avoid colour variation.
- Buy an extra 5% for off-cuts and future repairs.
- Watch for end-of-season specials, as suppliers often discount stock in late autumn.
Frequently Asked Questions: Composite Decking
What are the main benefits of composite decking?
Durability, minimal maintenance, eco-friendly materials and a wide palette of colours.
How does the cost compare with wood once maintenance is included?
Although composite can cost $75 to $150 more per square metre to install, skipping annual staining means it usually becomes cheaper than pine within seven to ten years.
Is composite decking environmentally friendly?
Yes. It turns recycled plastic and wood waste into a long-life product, reducing landfill and preserving forests.
What should I look for when judging quality?
High recycled content, deep non-slip embossing, thick capping layers and a warranty of 25 years or more.
Which design options are available?
Single-tone, multi-tone, grooved or square-edge boards, plus colour-matched trims, posts and balustrades give almost limitless combinations.
Any cost-saving strategies?
Compare suppliers during winter, bundle accessories with boards and use a simple straight-lay pattern to cut waste.
Ready to Upgrade Your Deck?
Composite decking delivers a hard-wearing, low-fuss surface that looks stunning year after year. If you would like expert advice, design ideas or a no-obligation quote, our network of trusted tradies can help.Talk to a top NZ composite deck builder today and start planning an outdoor space that is built to last.