Composite decking

To ensure your composite decking is a real success, it is important to choose it carefully and install it correctly. The different types of composite decking offer many elegant and modern possibilities. Composite boards mimic the look of wood, without the maintenance drawbacks.

There are several manufacturing methods for composite decking boards:

• Single-extruded boards are manufactured by mixing the components in a single step. These boards are inexpensive but not very durable.
• Co-extruded boards have additional protection, making them more resistant to UV rays and weathering.

There are also several possible components for composite boards:

• Wood fibres and plastic for a natural wood look.
• Additives to improve resistance to mould and pests for a look that is more reminiscent of exotic wood.

Finally, there are several types of finishes for composite boards:

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

A deck on pedestals with composite decking can support up to 1 tonne per pedestal, allowing you to furnish your relaxation area even with heavy furniture, a barbecue or a plancha grill. The pedestal installation system is renowned for being highly resistant to bad weather and frost, ensuring your outdoor space will last for years to come.

Jouplast deck pedestals are guaranteed for 10 years in accordance with our installation guidelines and general terms and conditions of sale. It is also possible to remove the pedestals and composite boards at the end of their lifespan without impacting the environment.

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

Composite ages well if the raw material is of high quality and the decking is well maintained. It is particularly important to choose composite boards and an installation system that are UV and frost resistant.

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

Composite heats up in the sun, just like any other type of flooring, such as wood or tiles. Composite can reach surface temperatures in the sun that are higher than the ambient temperature.

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

Although composite heats up in sunlight, it also cools down faster than other coverings such as tiles or wood, which store heat.

It is also recommended that you provide shaded areas on your terrace using nearby vegetation or shading equipment such as parasols and sunshades. Around swimming pools, we also recommend that you take care when walking barefoot to avoid burns in hot weather.

No, composite has several characteristics 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, terraces laid on composite pedestals are not supposed to warp. The quality of the materials is, of course, paramount. Poor-quality products can expand when exposed to heat and shrink when exposed to frost. Installation is also important and must be carried out correctly. The boards must be properly secured using the manufacturer’s fixing clips and spaced sufficiently apart to ensure ventilation of the decking.