What is composite decking?
Composite decking is rapidly becoming the largest timber decking alternative for the outdoors on the market. This type of decking is growing to be more and more popular as it is eco-friendly in nature and helps to save forests as only recycled materials are used to manufacture these products.
Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) is an engineered building product made up of mix of wood fibers, plastics and a small amount of bonding agents and colourants. This mix is formulated around combatting harsh weather environments to withstand the test of time with very little hassle or upkeep. The formulation is heated into a molten mix, extruded at high pressures into board shaped lengths, and then it is embossed with a finish and cooled. The resulting boards need far less maintenance than traditional wood decking whilst looking more authentic than plastic alternatives.
Eva-last WPC products contain 60% recycled bamboo fibres and 40% recycled HDPE plastics, with a unique addition of colourants, bonding agents and UV additives. This market leading formulation is designed in direct relation to combat the Southern African climate and weathering elements which is one of the harshest on this planet.
Types of composite decking.
There are currently two types of composite decking on the market, capped and uncapped, 1st generation and 2nd generation composite. As time has passed, technology has increased and products have improved.
Uncapped boards (1st generation) tend to be cheaper. Although the material is resistant and hard wearing, they do not come with the same protection against staining and colour fading. This means that in the first couple of months the boards may fade a small amount as residual tannins (wood oils) leach out from the board after being exposed to the environment. Eva-last 1st generation composite is known as the Eva-tech range and holds a 10-year commercial warranty. Eva-tech® decking
Capped composite (2nd generation) boards come with an exterior plastic coating, this pure polymer capping means that the boards become highly resistant against fading and staining. The boards are easy to wipe clean and keep their colour when exposed to the environment. Eva-last 2nd generation composite is known as the Infinity range and holds a 25 year commercial warranty.
1. Infinity® Cap
The Infinity® capping makes Eva-Last® composite decking hard-wearing, scratch resistant and UV-resistant – essential for high-traffic surfaces.
2. Eva-tech® Core
At the heart of all Eva-Last® composite boards is a fusion of two tenacious materials; recycled high-density polyethylene and FSC approved bamboo fibers form the foundation of our products. Engineered additives and stabilisers assist in providing a material designed to last for decades.
Composite boards come in hollow and solid varieties. Hollow boards tend to have hollow chambers running throughout the length of the plank, which save on cost but are susceptible to potential issues with moisture trapping in the hollows. Whilst solid boards are stronger and heavier than the hollow boards making them more durable and the better product choice.
