Patio versus composite decking – often a question of personal preference.
Whether you have an established garden or an ultra-modern outdoor living space, you’ll have to make a decision in the battle of composite decking vs patio. Both options are equally viable due to the robust structure, durability, beautiful finish and the fact that it gives you a designated seating area, framing your garden beautifully.
Speak to a boomer about patios and they may conjure up images of crazy paving, pink and buff chequerboard patterns and oceans and oceans of pea gravel. Whilst it is true that the patios of yesteryear are somewhat old hat, modern patios have taken on a whole new persona. Evoking images of Italian piazzas and ancient Roman baths, the porcelain tile encapsulates all that we imagine outdoor living to be. Style, elegance, bruschetta on the terrace, Pinot Grigio in the warm evening sun.
Composite decking too has seen a surge in popularity. An upgrade on timber decking, composite offers all the beauty of natural wood without the upkeep.
Composite Decking Vs Patio Slabs & Porcelain Paving
We’re agreed, porcelain patio paving is a stunning option for an outdoor space. The question is, how does it compare to viable alternatives such as composite decking? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of composite decking over porcelain and see how it stacks up…
Composite Decking
As a leading composite decking UK supplier, we are the first to sing its praises and promote the benefits of the product. Here is just a few of the benefits that composite decking has over alternative patio materials.
Offers Flexibility
The beauty of decking is that it covers a multitude of sins. No matter how many landscaping disasters you’ve had in the past, rockeries, terraces or steps, decking is a great leveller. Composite decking enables you to build up a raised deck or terrace with posts and balustrades to give a seamless platform for outdoor living, utilising every single inch of your space.
Simple To Install
Fitting decking is a relatively simple operation for anyone who knows their way around a table saw or a power drill. This means that you can save money on installation by fitting it yourself. There is no specific requirement to lay a solid base, unlike alternative flooring materials. A solid decking subframe can be created relatively inexpensively.
Slip Resistant
Traditionally, decking has been avoided by folks with small children and the infirm due to the fact it is extremely slippery when wet. However, textured composite decking has countered this by offering a high grip surface with all of the beauty of wood without the slips and pitfalls. Made of a textured, wood-plastic composite, your deck offers significantly higher slip resistance, making it perfect for wet areas, hot tubs and pool surrounds.
Porcelain Paving
Over the years, the increased popularity of outdoor living in the UK has seen a huge increase in demand for products such as porcelain paving. While it is fair to say this product remains one of the most popular materials to work with in hard landscaping, it is not without its flaws.
Harder To Install
Unlike decking, a porcelain patio will likely need to be installed by a professional, it’s unlikely that this will be cheap. As tiles are expensive you will no doubt want a professional cutting and fitting tiles to save on breakages and waste. You will need to lay a solid concrete base first to lay a porcelain patio, whereas decking can be laid over the top of existing hard landscaping or turf.
Can Be Slippery
Most of us can recall a time in our childhood where our enthusiasm got away with us and we slipped on some tiles by the poolside. Porcelain is very slippery when it gets wet and is not very forgiving when it comes to bumps and scrapes.
Less Flexible
To achieve a large patio area within a multi-level garden, you will have to do a lot more groundwork than with decking. As your patio area will first require a built up hard standing concrete base. Depending on the variation in height, between, for instance the patio door and the garden, this could represent a significant amount of time and back-breaking preparation, especially if you choose to do this yourself.
Both Porcelain Paving And Composite Decking Have Their Benefits
The truth is, both materials have their pluses. Composite decking is modern, easy to maintain, simple to install and flexible for awkward locations. We know that porcelain is incredibly hard-wearing and maintains its glossy finish for years.
Great Looking
Both porcelain and composite come in a wide range of colours and styles and so there is bound to be a range that will match your theme.
Easy To Maintain
Because of their tough, hard-wearing qualities both porcelain and composite are easy to look after. The application of a simple dose of household detergent will bring your patio or deck back up to a shine in no time.
Modern Alternatives
Both porcelain and composite serve as modern hard-wearing landscaping materials as a slick, stunning landscaping option for you and your outdoor living style. They are the future of modern-day landscaping.
Why Not Have The Best Of Both Worlds?
Take a look at any contemporary garden or home design magazine and you will see variety is key to making your theme really stand out. Whilst some opt for grey decking designs with ‘grey everything’, the ones which really pop are the mix and match textures, patterns and styles.
Why not experiment with a bit of both? Use composite decking to give you practicality, access and space for that al fresco dining, and add a featured square of porcelain as a key centrepiece. Frame it with charcoal, antique or teak and make a truly unique space to unwind and enjoy every drop of English sunshine.
