Does Composite Decking Fade Over Time?

Premium composite decking has transformed numerous outdoor areas in Australia, offering a stylish, cost-effective, low-maintenance, and sustainable alternative to modern living.

Composite decking’s resistance to moisture, extreme weather, staining, splintering, decaying, pests, and insects has appealed to homeowners.

Manufacturers source high-quality composite decking from recycled plastics, natural wood fibres, and additives, creating a robust outdoor fixture that can last up to 50 years with proper upkeep. The best composite decks can endure high traffic and extreme temperatures, ensuring a high return on investment and long-term satisfaction.

Despite these benefits, understanding how composite decking may fade or discolour over time helps you weigh the long-term pros and cons, enabling more confident buying decisions.

You may be wondering if composite decks fade over time. As a trusted supplier for these elegant, cost-effective fixtures in Australia, we can provide you with valuable information and insights.

This blog will determine whether composite decking fades over time, answering a critical question and helping Australian homeowners take control of their home environment.

Understanding Initial Colour Fade in the First 6 Months

Understanding how decking naturally fades as time progresses helps set realistic expectations, allows homeowners to make better aesthetic choices, supports maintenance planning, and ensures long-term satisfaction.

It’s important to note that your decking’s initial colours aren’t the ones you will see over time. For this reason, savvy manufacturers create boards with a slightly more vibrant color or hue than the client’s preferred long-term aesthetic. Exposure to sunlight and the elements fades the composite decking boards, allowing them to return to their original, intended colours.

This process usually occurs during the first three to six months after installation. Direct sunlight exposure may make the colours appear more subdued than the initial version. If this scenario applies to you, there’s no need to worry because it’s completely natural.

You can also relax knowing that sunlight exposure doesn’t compromise the strength or structural integrity of your composite decking, especially if it’s composed of premium materials from a reputable manufacturer.

Colour Selection: Which Decking Hues And Types Are The Most-Fade Resistant?

Colour, visual appeal, and aesthetics are usually the primary considerations of many Australian homeowners when purchasing composite decking. We recommend choosing hues and tones that complement your unique preferences and the aesthetics of your outdoor living space.

The most fade-resistant composite decking colours include the following:

• Dark colours: Darker shades, including slate grey, deep browns, and charcoal, resist fading better than other colours, providing homeowners with long-term peace of mind and confidence in their buying decisions.
• Capped or co-extruded composite boards: Manufacturers equip these durable outdoor fixtures with a protective cap that resists fading and discolouration better than uncapped versions.
• Decking boards with textured or woodgrain finishes: The perfect texture can help conceal fading and discolouration, maintaining a more appealing look over time.

It’s important to note that lighter colours and uncapped decking boards usually discolour more after the material settles during the first three to six months after installation. If you’re particular about fading, choosing dark hues, capped composite boards, or boards with textured finishes provides the most long-term satisfaction and peace of mind.

Woodgrain vs. Hooved Boards: Which Option Provides The Better Colours?

Choosing the ideal composite decking texture can be a game-changer for Australian homeowners. Nowadays, narrow-grooved boards and woodgrain boards are two decking finishes that resonate well with the local population. Understanding the key differences between these two fixtures allows you to determine the better option for your outdoor space.

• Grooved boards: These fixtures have shallow, compact recesses that shade their surface during the day. Since the grooves significantly reduce direct sunlight and UV exposure, they ensure less discoloration over time.
• Woodgrain boards: On the other hand, manufacturers create woodgrain boards with smoother, uniformly exposed surfaces that absorb sunlight, resulting in a consistent, faded appearance without compromising visual appeal.

Since both composite decks are made of similar materials, their long-term durability, structural integrity, and performance are usually above expectations. However, if you’re particular about the aesthetic appeal of early fading, grooved boards may be the better choice due to their superior resistance to discolouration.

Composite Decking Strategies For Long-Lasting Colour

As a homeowner who wants to take control of his living space’s long-term value, aesthetics, and functionality, you may be wondering how you can slow down the fading of composite decking over time and explore options that allow you to achieve this objective.

We recommend the following strategies to ensure minimal discolouration and long-term satisfaction:

• Regular cleaning: Regular cleaning clears the Sydney composite deck surface of debris, dirt, and algae, allowing consistent, uniform sunlight exposure and preventing unsightly discolour patches. Sweeping your decking once or twice a week is an effective strategy for most homeowners.
• Ensure proper installation: Professional installers ensure adequate spacing to encourage appropriate ventilation and prevent moisture accumulation, which can compromise surface appearance.
• Use a decking reviver: Consider a premium decking reviver that can rejuvenate your outdoor fixture, especially if the colours have faded significantly. Following the manufacturer’s guidelines and consulting a trusted decking professional ensures optimal results and no regrets.
• Consider capped composite decking: As the term suggests, these decking boards have a protective layer that resists fading better than uncapped decking. Although the former has a higher upfront cost, its long-term benefits and durability ensure a high return on investment.

Conclusion

Although composite decking fades over time, it’s a natural process that occurs within the first three to six months of installation. Trusted contractors create decking with slightly more vibrant hues, helping homeowners feel reassured that fading is normal and manageable.

If visual appeal is your primary consideration, choosing darker colours or opting for capped boards with textured finishes can help you feel more confident in achieving your desired look and minimising fading over time.

Furthermore, regular cleaning, proper installation, and a premium decking reviver can help homeowners feel confident in maintaining their outdoor space’s long-term beauty and value. Taking proactive steps ensures their investment remains attractive over time.

Ezy Decking provides premium quality composite decking boards with 10 year structural warranty to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney & Northern NSW. Contact us today for a free quote.