Selecting the ideal balcony decking material for a project requires you to balance various factors. From a material’s aesthetic appeal and performance characteristics to cost and ease of installation, you must consider every aspect to find the ideal fit.
In this article, we examine the three of the most popular decking materials available and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each. At the same time, we will explore what type of project each material is well-suited to, whether there are any instances when you cannot use particular materials, and what factors will influence your decision-making process.
What to consider when selecting balcony decking material
1. New or existing balcony
If you are constructing a balcony from scratch, you have greater freedom to choose your preferred materials. Conversely, adapting an existing balcony may narrow your options or force your hand. For instance, when renovating a wooden balcony, a timber-look is usually required for aesthetic purposes.
Remedial work is a notable exception. In many cases, you fit existing balconies with specialist components to facilitate the installation of new materials. For example, you can install joist hangers on existing steel frame balconies. These enable the use of joists that can support a range of different decking materials.
2. Location
Location impacts material choice on several levels. First, geographical location will determine the regional climate and what kind of weather-resistant properties the material needs. Second, the location of the decking on the building will affect material choice. Factors like non-combustibility, waterproofing, drainage, and load-bearing requirements may vary depending on whether the balcony is part of a hospital or care home, on a rooftop, above 11 metres, the side of a building or at ground level.
3. Usage
You must also consider expected usage. Private residential balconies will experience much less foot traffic than decking in larger commercial spaces, so make sure you specify more durable materials for high-trafficked areas. Luckily, the wide range of contemporary colours and natural hues available today mean that you choose a high performing material to achieve the aesthetically pleasing result that your design or project requires.
Exploring your decking material options
Timber Decking
Thanks to the long-awaited changes in fire regulations, timber decking is being replaced by other compliant, safer, and far better performing options. Durability and practical design concerns have also played a role in this transition.
While timber is still used for some home decking projects, it is maintenance-heavy, prone to rot and decay if not cared for properly and will not provide the same degree of structural support as other decking options.
PVC Decking
Although PVC decking is well-suited to damp environments thanks to its good moisture resistance, not everyone appreciates the PVC finish, despite the affordability aspect.
There are other decking options available to specifiers that outperform PVC in almost every other way.
Composite decking
Composite decking is typically manufactured from wood fibre, plastic, and a binding agent. As a result, it combines a range of qualities and is:
- More environmentally friendly – compared to plastic and fully synthetic decking, composite decking is more eco-friendly, as it is often made from recycled materials.
- Durable – composite balcony decking is robust and long-lasting, ensuring it stands the test of time and withstands adverse weather and general wear and tear very well.
- Low maintenance – unlike timber and some other materials, composite decking requires no sealing, staining or treatment, making it a very low maintenance choice.
- Moisture-resistant – composite decking is moisture-resistant, which means it will not crack, warp, rot or swell when exposed to rain.
- Pest-resistant – composite decking is resistant to those pests that regularly cause damage to timber decking.
- Available in various finishes – composite decking can be manufactured to replicate its natural counterpart.
Overall, composite decking is a supremely versatile material that is well-suited to use in a wide range of applications and contexts. This type of decking is also undergoing material innovations, with new manufacturing processes helping to improve performance and aesthetics.
Vitrified Composite® (porcelain) decking
Versatile, durable and very low maintenance, porcelain is well-suited to diverse projects. Vitrified Composite decking boards are extruded from a composition of clays and feldspar and fired (or vitrified) in the same way as porcelain.
Vitrified Composite decking has the following benefits:
- Low maintenance – once in place, it requires very little maintenance. While keeping the surface clean will help it stay pristine, there is no need for staining, sealing or regular treatment.
- Longevity – vitrified composite has a long lifespan and is very durable. This helps offset the initial expense associated with upgrading to this type of decking.
- Thermal performance – vitrified composite is temperature stable. It remains cool in the summer as it distributes heat evenly throughout the material.
- Excellent aesthetics – vitrified composite looks incredible – seeing is believing.
Vitrified Composite boards share many properties with porcelain decking, such as stain and fire resistance. While also benefiting from a composite construction, which offers resistance to moisture, fading and weathering. As with Porcelain, Vitrified Composite boards receive a class A1 fire rating, ensuring they are well-suited to remediation projects and are, without a doubt, a vastly superior alternative to conventional decking.
Though one of the more expensive decking materials, Vitrified Composite justifies its price tag with excellent performance and a striking aesthetic. Installing this type of decking requires a little more care than other materials, as it is heavier and needs careful handling until it is securely in place. It you haven’t seen this decking in practice, take a look at RYNO’s Vitrified Composite® decking.
Aluminium decking
On the other hand, aluminium decking is light and easy to install but also extremely strong. These qualities make it a great choice for rooftop terraces and balconies with specific load-bearing requirements and remediation work on large-scale residential buildings.
Aluminium decking is:
- Durable – aluminium decking ranks amongst the most durable materials available and should be a serious consideration if you value longevity.
- Rust-resistant – aluminium is naturally rust-resistant, making it an excellent choice for outdoor use irrespective of location.
- Low maintenance – aluminium decking requires almost no ongoing maintenance. Keeping the surface clear and clean will help prevent superficial damage, but that is the extent of the work required.
- Versatile – a fantastic option for all kinds of decking projects, aluminium is a highly adaptable material that excels in a wide range of applications.
- Available in a very wide range of finishes – aluminium decking is available in various shades, so you can always find the perfect match for your project.
- Non-combustible – in keeping with the latest fire-related building safety regulations, aluminium decking is non-combustible and can be used on residential buildings above 11 metres in height.
Aluminium decking is cost-effective, adaptable and looks fantastic. In many cases, it is the most practical decking material available. Some specifiers may prefer vitrified composite’s more refined finish, but it is difficult to argue with aluminium’s stand-out overall performance.
Let’s find the right decking for your project, together
We stock a diverse range of boards, including aluminium, composite, and the ground-breaking Vitrified Composite® decking. Selecting the perfect material for your project means evaluating your needs and the project specifications. Reach out to RYNO’s team of professional advisors if you have any questions.
