Raised Composite Decking

The price per square metre of an elevated composite patio can vary depending on two factors:

1. The type of composite and finish : the price of composite boards can range from £90 to £200 per square metre, depending on the quality of the raw material. The more durable the materials, the higher the budget will be.

2. The cost of labour : this cost can vary greatly. If you are handy or a DIY enthusiast, creating your elevated composite decking by yourself is entirely possible. For example, we know that a 20m² composite decking on pedestals can be installed in a single day.

If you do not have the means or the skills to do this yourself, you can also ask a landscaper to take care of your composite decking project. You should expect to pay between £20 and £50 per square metre for a professional to install your raised patio.

This installation method will not cause any issues, as the pedestals are easy to adjust. You must first prepare the ground to ensure the surface is levelled. Our range includes spacers to compensate for any differences in ground level. Each manufacturer provides their own fixing clips to fix the composite decking boards.

To successfully build a raised deck with composite cladding, it is essential to choose it carefully and install it properly. The various types of composites offer numerous elegant and modern options. Composite decking boards mimic the look of wood, without the maintenance hassles.

There are several manufacturing methods for composite decking boards:

• Mono-extruded: these boards are manufactured by mixing the components in a single step. These boards are more affordable but not very durable.
• Co-extruded: these boards benefit from additional protection, making them more resistant to UV rays and the elements.

Composite decking boards can be made from different components:

• Wood fibres and plastic for a natural wood appearance
• Additives to improve resistance to mould and pests, and a look that leans more towards exotic woods

Finally, composite decking boards can have several types of finishes:

• Boards with a smooth finish are slip-resistant and easy to clean
• Boards with a grooved finish offer a warm, textured wood finish but can be slippery and difficult to clean, particularly around a swimming pool or in a garden.

A raised composite decking patio can support up to 1 tonne per pedestal, which means that you can confidently furnish your outdoor living area even with heavy furniture, barbecues or griddles. The raised decking system is renowned for being highly weather- and frost-resistant, ensuring the longevity of your outdoor space.

Jouplast decking pedestals come with a 10-year guarantee, subject to our installation guidelines and terms and conditions of sale.

Composite boards have an average lifespan of 20 to 30 years, though this will depend on the environmental quality of the materials. Solid boards are more robust and durable than hollow boards. Gentle, regular cleaning will help extend the lifespan of your decking. The UV protection on the boards is also important for withstanding high temperatures.

Composite patios tend to age well when the raw material is of high-quality and the deck is well maintained. Pay extra attention to the resistance of the composite boards and the installation system to UV and frost.

By installing composite boards on our Profildeck aluminium joist system, the installation is rot-proof and highly durable over time, even in saline environments such as coastal areas.

Composite decking heats up in the sun, just like any other surface material such as timber or tiles. Composite wood patios can reach higher surface temperatures in the sun than the ambient temperature.

We recommend choosing light-coloured composite boards, which absorb less heat than dark-coloured ones. This also applies to tiles or porcelain tiles.

Although composite heats up when exposed to the sun, it also cools down more quickly than other surfaces such as tiles or wood, which retain heat.

We also recommend having shaded areas on your patio using nearby vegetation or shading equipment such as parasols or stretched canvases. Around a swimming pool, we also advise you to step carefully to avoid burns when the weather is hot.

No, composite has several properties that make it resistant to rot. The mixture of wood fibre and plastic makes the material rot-proof and therefore resistant to weathering and insect infestation.

No, a composite decking installed on pedestals is not supposed to warp. The quality of the materials is, of course, paramount. Poor-quality products may expand under the effect of heat and contract under the effect of frost. Installation is extremely important and must be carried out properly. The boards must be secured correctly using the manufacturer’s fixing clips and spaced sufficiently apart to ensure the decking is ventilated.

A raised composite wood patio has many advantages, but there are also some disadvantages to consider.

Composite decking on pedestals can be more expensive than a natural wood decking. It is easy to find good-quality, low-cost timber. As composite is a process that combines two materials, this is less often the case.

Composite, and particularly smooth boards, can be prone to scratches and may require regular cleaning to prevent unwanted stains.