Colours of composite decking

So you may already have taken the plunge and arrived at the decision that composite decking boards are the perfect material for your new project – but did you know that you don’t have to imitate timber with wood shades and that composite boards actually come in a range of colours to suit any setting. Our HD Deck XS, for example, is a modern and contemporary board that features a grooved finish rather than a traditional wood-grain.

There are key considerations when it comes to choosing the colour of your new composite decking boards and it’s often better to avoid just plumping for your favourite colour for exteriors and instead of looking more closely at things like colour schemes in your garden, the palette of the surrounding landscape – trees, foliage, fences, gates, etc, and of course the budget for the project. Whatever the reasons for opting for a specific colour, the decision can be the most important of the overall process. The colour of your boards will be the first thing people see when visiting your garden – it’s the colour that will set the scene for your decking furniture, so it needs to be just right.

So – things to consider. Firstly, where are you planning to lay your decking? You may ask what positioning has to do with the colour of your composite boards but it’s actually a crucial factor when considering how your decking will look. Should you have a south facing garden and expect your decking to soak up the heat of the sun throughout the day then consider light colours. Blacks, greys and darker brown shades – like any other material – tend to attract the heat and will likely get warmer underfoot. Remember: composite decking won’t lose moisture in intense heat like timber so won’t split or crack in prolonged sunlight – however, thermal conductivity is still prevalent in composite materials though only at a relatively low level so if you’re planning for yourself and possibly children to be running across the composite barefoot in summer than it’s likely you’ll want to consider lighter colours that will be cooler on the soles.

Though the pragmatists in the family – and possibly the deck builders themselves – will first and foremost consider colour in terms of thermal conductivity, the vast majority of those in the market for composite decking will likely want colours to compliment the surrounding environment. That’s absolutely understandable and there’s an array of different options for those wanting something largely traditional, to those wanting to opt for something a little more modern.

At Composite Prime, we have a range of composite decking with varying colour ways, offering customers a bespoke service for their particular composite project. For example, our HD Deck 150 range is our low maintenance durable product that offers an attractive alternative to traditional timber decking. HD Deck 150 offers something for both modernists and traditionalists with the composite available in contemporary Silver and Lava finishes, as well as a regal Walnut colour. Those looking to mimic the elegance of contemporary wood grain should look no further than our HD Deck Pro range, which offers quality and style to any outdoor living space with two stunning colours: champagne and oyster.

Elsewhere, our HD Deck Dual product boast a natural wood grain, immediately setting it apart from other composite decking and the beauty of this range is that it offers customers six differing colours – Natural Oak, Slate, Walnut, Oak, Antique and Carbon – allowing those seeking a traditional style to their composite though without being tied down to limited wood colours. For those looking for something more substantial in terms of materials, our HD Deck XS is a heavier durable decking product that is low maintenance whilst offering a contemporary and attractive alternative to traditional timber decking. Again – there’s something for everyone in terms of colours, with Lava, Silver and Walnut on offer.

And finally, our HD Deck 3D is a stunning range of composite decking boards and features a deeply textured 3D surface helping to create the look and feel of natural timber without the need for maintenance. We offer our 3D product in a range of traditional timber colours: Golden Oak, Black Oak and Burnished Oak. So in short – something for everyone. As mentioned, we’ve found that most customers will be looking for composite decking colours that complement their existing outdoor space. Often homeowners will have established garden designs and plant colour schemes – whether it be the burnt oranges and reds of Mediterranean style gardens, the blues, red and yellows of country gardens or even the slates, greys and whites of more modern themes. It’s important to ensure your decking fits in with the theme and creates or develops the atmosphere.

But it’s not just the outdoors that can be matched up. In recent years, we’ve seen a huge move towards the concept of bringing the indoors, out. The huge increase in popularity of pairing bi-folding doors with sleek composite decking and blurring the boundaries between living or kitchen areas, and the garden space. So, when considering the colour of your composite decking boards, consider the transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. If you’re looking to achieve that seamless flow then opt for something similar to the flooring in your indoor environment.

The key to making the correct decision on composite colour is to assess the considerations laid out above and then to order free sample packs – which Composite Prime are more than happy to offer. Get a feel for the colour and texture of the board and ask yourself: does it fit with your environment? Does it complement and even enhance the existing colour scheme of your garden and even inside? Remember: viewing the colour online isn’t always the best way to judge its appropriateness so consider getting the board in hand to be confident in your decision.