Most of the time, the deterioration of your timber decking is obvious. Take, for instance, discolouration. Years of sun and moisture exposure is bound to alter the colour of your wood, leaving it visibly worn and begging for a fresh coat of paint. While painting and sealing is certainly a quick fix, it’s similar to cellotaping a fraying phone cable. It’ll solve the problem for a little bit, but you’ll eventually find yourself needing to make a permanent change.

Perhaps a little harder to notice, rot and decay is a common killer of timber decking. Due to wood’s absorbent properties, timber is far more likely to hang onto water. This directly causes the degradation of the fibres, leading to patches of rot and decay. It’s an unavoidable part of owning timber decking, no matter how much effort you put into ongoing upkeep. So, if you notice areas of rot, perhaps it’s time to consider replacing your timber decking.

Just as water exposure causes wood to rot and warp, sun exposure is one to watch out for too. Even though the UK doesn’t exactly get much sun, you can guarantee that your timber decking suffers when we do. One sign that it’s been pushed past its limit is splintering and cracking. Maybe a little harder to spot, cracked wood becomes a breeding ground for all types of issues. If you ever notice that some of your boards look a little bit weirder than usual, it’s worth taking a closer look to see just how bad the damage is.

Thankfully, this one is arguably one of the easiest to pick up on. All you have to do is take a walk over your deck, and you’ll no doubt feel the difference. When things are wonky and unbalanced, your safe decking quickly turns into a hazard that has to be fixed as quickly as possible. After all, nobody wants to spend time on a wobbly deck that could give out under their feet at any moment. Trust us, this instance calls for a replacement. Your friends and family will thank you.

Now you know what signs to look out for, let’s have a look at the indicators that it’s time to completely replace your timber decking – when repairing is basically out of the question, and you have to take the plunge. But don’t worry! NeoTimber® is here to guide you through it all.

Let’s say you’ve noticed a few problem areas that need fixing. If these issues are only small, you might be able to temporarily get away with a quick fix. However, the chances of these issues appearing across more and more of the original boards is high, so it’s up to you to decide if you’re willing to put up with a mismatch of old and new timber boards. Personally, that’s not our cup of tea.

On the other end of the spectrum, your decking could be completely totalled. No matter how you look at it, the whole thing needs pulling up and replacing. Whether it’s riddled with structural issues or rotting away before your eyes, you definitely need to consider a replacement. Don’t stress – there are better choices out there, and NeoTimber®’s composite decking is one of the best.

Though the installation of an entirely new deck might seem like an expensive process, we can promise that the constant upkeep of a dying timber deck will end up costing far more. Aside from taking up hours upon hours of your time, frequent repairs and care can add up to the cost of a new deck. Sometimes you have to take a step back and work out the long-term benefits, and we can guarantee that sinking money into a lost cause isn’t one of them.

Right, so we’ve come to the conclusion that your timber decking isn’t long for this world. Now what? This is where NeoTimber® comes in with one resounding answer – Composite Decking! Relatively new to the construction market, composite decking has quickly become a phenomenon among homeowners and installers for its unique composition, lengthy lifespan, and outstanding aesthetics.

Engineered using timber fibres and recycled plastic, composite decking is a hardy decking alternative that comes in a range of styles – from Lite hollow to Deluxe solid boards – to give homeowners more choice. Partnered with its dynamic range of applications and easy installation, composite decking is a powerful contender that completely blows timber out of the water.

Having led the UK’s composite decking market forward for well over a decade, NeoTimber® has had the chance to perfect the composite formula and offer an alternative to timber that fulfils its promises. Available in neutral and dark colourways – namely Ash White, Oak, Teak, Antique, Chocolate, Charcoal, Silver Birch, and Grey – and able to maintain its colour in its capped forms, our composite decking keeps your garden looking great whatever the weather.

In fact, NeoTimber® is so confident that composite decking is the perfect replacement for you, we’ve decided to offer a 25-year warranty to any homeowner looking to take the leap. Still unsure? Why not order a free sample pack and see how our composite decking compares to your traditional timber? We can guarantee you’ll instantly notice the difference!

We know how hard it is to replace your well-loved timber decking. That’s why NeoTimber® is glad to give you full access to a friendly team of experts, a network of talented installers, and ongoing support during your composite decking journey. Begin replacing your timber decking today with NeoTimber®’s industry-leading range of composite decking.