Are you tired of an under-utilised backyard and burdened by the maintenance and having to constantly tend to that lacklustre thirsty lawn?

A great way to revitalise outdoor areas and create more functional space is by installing a patio or deck, whether it be for surrounding an in-ground pool, incorporating within a landscaping design or a practical extension of the living area. Create a more welcoming space where you can entertain your friends and family while keeping an eye on your children running around with big smiles on their faces.

However, there’s often no escaping the typical maintenance woes associated with traditional timber decks – fading, splintering, warping, cracking, termites and rotting are the most common problems – and the inevitable impact on your wallet!

As an alternative, new technologies and innovative durable materials now allow you to make that transformation using cost effective, low maintenance substitutes for attractive, versatile outdoor entertaining and leisure areas.

Amongst the leading contemporary alternative solutions are utilising composite materials such as those which combine the natural look and feel of wood with the durability and low maintenance of recycled polymers. These composites are slip resistant as well as addressing all of the shortcomings of timber above and don’t require any staining, oiling or painting.

Most come with comprehensive warranties and are designed in modular formats so they can often be delivered to be installed by the DIY enthusiast.

Many use hidden fastenings and require no pre-drilling or nailing, resulting in time and labour savings of up to 70% over traditional timber decking. The grained textures give the surface of the boards a natural wood look and feel and can be suitable for all residential and commercial applications.

There are many composite wood options available. Before you start spending money and making your dreams come true you should always consider a couple of important criteria:

• Board structure – hollow vs solid core. This affects the performance of the board and the quality and durability of the deck. The hollow core allows for proper board ventilation which cools the deck effectively and prevents warping and splitting.
• Nature of the surface of the area being decked – the closer the deck needs to be installed to the ground the less options exist for the framing and the more durable the framing material that is required.

So, if you’re planning on building a new home or renovation, a new backyard transformation or even revitalising an old deck make sure you consider some of the contemporary alternatives available.