Find Your Preferred Decking Finish With Samples at Home
Composite decking samples help you compare the colour, texture and profile of a board before choosing materials for a whole deck. A photograph can provide inspiration, but a physical sample lets you view the finish beside your paving, exterior walls and garden furniture.
NeoTimber® offers free composite deck samples, with up to three selected finishes per pack. Use this guide to create a useful shortlist and compare your samples when they arrive. For an introduction to project planning, visit our decking page or browse the composite decking range.
How to Order Composite Decking Samples
- Shortlist finishes: choose colours and profiles that suit your project.
- Complete the request form: enter your selection and delivery details on the free decking samples page.
- Compare at home: keep the samples labelled while reviewing them against your surroundings.
The current sample service includes free UK delivery. Most packs arrive within 2–3 working days, rather than a guaranteed delivery date. You can request another pack if you need to compare more finishes; check the current sample page for service details when ordering.
Use Composite Deck Samples to Understand Board Construction
Separate the surface from the core when comparing products. Capped and uncapped describe surface construction, while hollow and solid describe the internal profile. These choices overlap: a hollow board can be capped, and a solid board can be uncapped.
Traditional Uncapped Composite
Uncapped composite does not have a separate protective outer shell. NeoTimber's Classic options offer a choice of profiles and timber-inspired finishes. Ask about the selected product's weathering characteristics and care requirements when considering a sample.
Learn more in our traditional composite decking guide.
Capped Composite
A protective cap enhances resistance to staining and fading. Compare the surface, colour variation and care information alongside an uncapped option. Capping does not guarantee that colour will never change or that the board cannot be scratched.
Our capped composite decking guide explains the construction in more detail.
Hollow Profiles
Look at the cross-section to understand the cavities and overall dimensions. A sample can illustrate the profile, but the shape alone does not establish structural performance. Compare the specifications and intended applications of the exact products.
Explore our hollow composite decking guide for further information.
Solid Profiles
A solid board has a continuous core. Consider its dimensions and handling alongside the finish you prefer. Weight or solidity alone does not establish suitability for every project; the board and supporting frame need to meet the installation requirements.
Read our solid composite decking guide and compare the main composite decking types.
Compare Decking Samples in Your Actual Garden
Place your shortlist beside the materials that will remain in the finished space: brickwork, render, paving, fencing and outdoor furniture. Move the samples between sun and shade and look again at different times of day.
A colour can appear warmer, cooler, lighter or darker depending on its surroundings. Compare the samples directly rather than relying on a photograph taken indoors. If you take reference photos, remember that screens and camera settings may alter their appearance.
Allow for Variation and Weathering
A small sample shows one section of a board, not the full visual effect of a deck. Multi-tonal finishes can vary along a length, and slight manufacturing variation can occur. Ask for clarification if an exact match with an existing installation is important.
Uncapped boards can weather after installation; capped products have enhanced fade resistance. Use the selected range's current information rather than assuming every sample will stay exactly the same shade indefinitely.
Inspect Texture Without Treating the Sample as a Performance Test
Look closely at grain depth, grooves, edge details and the permitted walking face. Decide which texture suits the overall design and compare how it looks at a normal viewing distance, not only in a close-up photograph.
Our wood-effect composite decking guide can help with visual choices. Avoid judging a competing product's durability solely from whether its surface looks printed or embossed.
A short sample is useful for inspecting construction, but it is not a substitute for technical data. Bending, scratching or wetting an offcut at home does not establish certified strength, durability or slip performance for a full installation. Request relevant product information for those questions.
Your Decking Sample Comparison Checklist
- Colour: does it complement the materials around the deck?
- Texture: do you prefer the grain, grooves or another available finish?
- Construction: which surface and profile are you comparing?
- Care: what cleaning routine and weathering should you expect?
- Specification: does the exact board suit the proposed application?
- Budget: what is the complete cost, including supports and finishing components?
Keep notes against each labelled sample. This makes it easier to explain your shortlist when discussing a quote, rather than trying to remember which small offcut belonged to which range.
What to Do if You Are Still Undecided
Contact NeoTimber® with your measurements, photographs and shortlist. Explain how you will use the deck and any particular concerns, such as cleaning, strong sun or a complicated layout. For a wider view of the products, consider booking a showroom appointment.
Use the composite decking calculator to start a materials estimate once you have selected a range. Review the installation guidance and warranty information before placing the full order.
Composite Decking Samples: Frequently Asked Questions
Are NeoTimber® composite decking samples free?
Yes. The current sample service provides free samples with free UK delivery. Use the request page to choose available finishes and enter your delivery details.
How many decking samples can I order?
You can select up to three finishes per pack. If your shortlist is larger, the sample page allows you to request an additional pack.
How long do composite deck samples take to arrive?
Most packs arrive within 2–3 working days under the current service. Allow time for delivery and comparison before making installation commitments.
Will samples exactly match the finished deck?
They help you assess the material and finish, but one small piece cannot show every variation across a full installation. Consider multi-tonal effects, slight manufacturing differences and the selected range's weathering information.
Can I compare capped and uncapped samples?
Compare available finishes on the request page and keep their product labels. Ask the team if you need help selecting samples that illustrate the construction choices you are considering.
Can a sample tell me if decking is slip-proof?
No surface is slip-proof in every condition. A sample is a visual and tactile aid, not a formal slip test. Consider product-specific performance information alongside cleaning, drainage and the intended use.
Request Your Samples and Compare With Confidence
Start with a focused shortlist, then assess it in the place your deck will be built. Order your free composite decking samples and use the checklist above to compare colours, textures and specifications before choosing the boards for your project.
