When dreaming of building a rooftop terrace of our own home, one of the first decisions we should make is to choose the right material from which it will be made. Why? Because it will be a key element of its construction and will directly influence its quality, durability and also aesthetics for many years to come.
So let’s find out which material we should use to achieve the best possible result. There are many different options on the market at the moment, but two stand out in particular – these are, of course, the timeless, natural wood decking and the modern composite decking made of plastic. Therefore, in today’s article we will take a closer look at these two popular choices to help you make the best decision on the material for your own rooftop terrace.
Natural wood decking
As is widely known, natural decking has for many years enjoyed a reputation as a material with unique charm and optimum durability. Its natural appearance, often warm colours and unique, pleasing texture mean that it continues to be a frequent choice for discerning customers.
One of the biggest advantages of natural decking is its timeless character, which still, blends well with different architectural styles, even modern ones. In addition, with good maintenance, wood decking is really weather resistant, making it an almost ideal material for outdoor areas such as rooftop terraces.
However, like any material, natural wood also has some disadvantages. Unlike artificial materials, it requires regular and careful maintenance to maintain its aesthetics and durability over the long term. In addition, wood decking is usually more expensive than composite and also, it is heavier, which can make building a rooftop terrace using it more labour-intensive.
Engineered natural wood
Thanks to modern technology, it is possible to turn various industrial waste materials, such as rice bran or recycled wood, into high-quality decking boards. It is worth noting that this is an ecological production process that allows the use of materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Planks made from natural recycled wood are not only durable and aesthetically pleasing, but also have a positive ecological impact, making them an attractive alternative to classic natural wood decking.
Composite decking
Composite decking is an increasingly popular alternative to natural wood decking. Their growing popularity is due to the numerous advantages that make them an attractive choice for rooftop terraces. First and foremost, they are much more resistant to a variety of atmospheric conditions. In addition, they also do not require complicated maintenance.
In addition to this, they are also available in a wide range of colours to suit individual aesthetic preferences for the rooftop terrace. Furthermore, they still perfectly imitate natural wood. It is also worth noting that composite decking is usually cheaper than its natural counterparts, making it more accessible to a wider audience.
Summary
To sum up the dispute: composite vs natural decking. Both of the materials we have described have their unique advantages, however, when considering modern solutions, composite decking seems to be the more attractive choice due to its much better resistance to external factors and durability.
It is also worth noting that composite decking tends to be cheaper than natural decking, which is why it has been a more common material of choice for rooftop terrace in recent years. However, the final choice should be well thought out in order to create a rooftop terrace that is perfectly suited to the user’s needs and expectations.
