The Right Decking For A Public Space

Whether you’re a developer, designer or architect, the inclusion of public space decking surrounding your resort, retail outlet or municipal building in your design gives a focal point for people to naturally interact. Design a space which is both practical and beautiful. Practical, it enables access for all abilities; and beautiful, it maintains its good looks year-after-year. Composite decking offers a durable, long-life solution which requires minimal maintenance.

Our composite decking offers several features which align it perfectly with demands of a public space. NeoTimber® offers slip-resistant decking, ensuring the safety of the public and is also Class C fire-rated, making it suitable for low-rise developments, balconies and roof terrace decking.

As an architect or landscape designer, access and safety will be a primary priority within your theme. You will incorporate handrails for stairs and wide, ramped areas to ensure access for all.

Composite decking is designed to be slip-resistant with extra grip provided by the deep, embossed woodgrain or grooved finish. Thanks to the plastic element in composite, the texture is engineered with slip resistance in mind. Expansion gaps allow for natural drainage of rainwater, preventing standing water, reducing slippage and ensuring the safety of visitors.

A design concept can look flawless on a screen. But the wrong materials can degrade rapidly and quickly look unloved. Specify a low maintenance decking solution in composite decking and your decking installation will maintain its good looks and so will your reputation.

Composite decking never needs painting, it never needs sealing or varnishing. Public space decking is your ideal decking solution. Made of a strong fusion of wood fibres and plastic polymers, composite decking resists the effects of the elements protecting it against algae growth, warping, cracking and rotting.

When specifying materials for a building project, fire rating is a key consideration. NeoTimber’s Class C fire rating means that the material is suitable for use on low-rise developments.

There are manufacturers who do not clarify this point, some decking suppliers make deliberately misleading statements on their website that their composite is suitable for high rise installation, it is not, no wood plastic composite is suitable for such application. These should be avoided at all costs.

It cannot be escaped that timber decking looks fantastic, but we feel it is important to be aware of the long-term damage that can occur with the demands of heavy footfall. Heavy usage eventually results in breakages to the decking, such as splintered and snapped boards.

One of the many benefits of using composite material is that it is far sturdier than the traditional timber option. We have similarly supplied outdoor decking to areas with increased footfall, such as primary schools and residential care homes and the product continues to be the product of choice for many public spaces. Our 10-year commercial warranty allows for a clear peace of mind that your public space decking will be long lasting.

Lakeside Pavilion in Queens Park, Crewe was rebuilt in 1977 following a fire which destroyed the original Victorian structure. Following a grant and funding from the Cheshire Football Association, the pavilion was renovated to be used for private hire and as a wedding venue in 2016 for a sum of £450,000.

As a part of the project, NeoTimber® supplied the composite decking for the balcony which beautifully connects inside and out for the creation of lasting memories. Read the complete case study to find out more.