Compare the board options
Capped and uncapped boards, solid and hollow profiles, and different finishes have different specifications. Ask to see samples before deciding.
Composite decking installers in Kent
Composite decking installation for outdoor dining, relaxed seating and everyday garden living. Choose a finish with less routine upkeep, installed around your space.
Discuss your project
DESIGNED FOR YOUR SPACE
Plan your composite decking in Kent.
For a decking project in Kent, start with access and usable space. Think about how materials can reach the garden and leave enough room for furniture, doors and everyday movement.
Whether you are replacing an ageing deck or creating a new garden seating area, the layout should suit the way you use your space. Allow for furniture, clear walking routes and changes in level before settling on the dimensions.
More time outside. Less routine upkeep.
Lower maintenance
Composite usually needs no routine staining or painting. It still needs cleaning, and leaves and debris should be cleared to keep the surface looking its best.
Install to the specification
Joist spacing, expansion gaps and fixing systems vary by board. The frame and installation details should follow the selected manufacturer’s guidance.
Composite decking installers across Kent.
Composite decking suits homeowners who want a consistent finish and less routine upkeep than timber. Decking Masters Kent offers composite decking across Kent, with layouts shaped around access, furniture and the connection to your home.
Most wood-plastic composite boards combine wood fibres with plastic, but profiles and protective surfaces differ. Compare the actual range, not just the word “composite”. Samples, installation instructions and care guidance are useful starting points before selecting a colour.
Compare the board before choosing the colour.
Two boards described as composite can have different surfaces, cores and fixing systems. Check the exact product specification and compare physical samples in your garden.
| Board detail | What it means | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Capped | A protective outer layer covers some or all of the board. | Which faces are capped, and what stain and fade protection is specified? |
| Uncapped | The board has no separate protective outer layer. | How does its surface weather, and what cleaning does it require? |
| Solid or hollow core | The board is full through its section or contains internal cavities. | What support spacing, end treatment and fixing method does this range need? |
| Texture and colour | Woodgrain, grooved and other surface finishes vary by range. | How does a sample look in sun and shade, and what slip-performance information is available? |
What are the downsides of composite decking?
Composite is a useful lower-maintenance alternative to timber, but the exact product matters. Choosing by colour or a headline warranty alone can miss important differences.
Heat in direct sun
Decking can become hot on sunny days. Think about exposure and shade, and compare the manufacturer’s information for the colours and ranges you are considering.
Marks and cleaning
Resistance to stains or scratches does not mean they are impossible. Protect the surface when moving furniture, clear spills promptly and follow the board’s care instructions.
Finish and future changes
You cannot treat most composite boards like timber and simply sand and stain them to change their colour. Choose carefully and ask how a damaged board could be replaced.
Composite still needs cleaning. Leaves, dirt and organic growth can collect on either material, especially in shaded areas. Ask for the chosen board’s slip-performance information rather than assuming all composite decking is non-slip.
What should a composite decking installation quote include?
A supply-only board price is not the cost of a completed deck. Ask for the complete project scope so you can compare proposals for the same result.
- Preparation: existing deck removal, ground work, disposal and any access constraints.
- Supporting structure: frame material, supports, connections and drainage arrangements.
- Decking surface: manufacturer, range, colour, board layout and fixing system.
- Finished edges: fascia, trims, board-end treatment, borders and steps.
- Completion: schedule, aftercare, warranty documents, payment terms and whether VAT is included.
From your first enquiry to a finished deck.
Understand the brief
Tell us your location, the dimensions you have in mind and how you want to use the garden. Photos help show the doors, existing surfaces, levels and access.
Agree the specification
Before installation, confirm the board choice, structure, finished height and details such as steps and edging. Make sure the scope and price reflect the site conditions.
Build the structure and surface
The installation needs suitable supports, a sound frame and board fixing to the selected product’s specification. Include the planned drainage and edge details throughout.
Check the finish and aftercare
Review the completed surface, steps and perimeter. Keep the product information, installation terms and care instructions so you know how to maintain your deck.
Choose a layout that works every day.
Dining and entertaining
Measure the furniture with chairs pulled out, then leave a clear route to the house. A layout that looks generous without furniture can feel cramped once a dining set is in place.
Steps and changing levels
Plan the transition to the lawn or patio at the same time as the platform. Steps, handrails and edge protection should be part of the design, not decisions made after the boards are laid.
Clean edges and borders
Picture-frame borders, fascia boards and carefully planned joints can give the deck a more deliberate finish. Ask how board ends and corners will be treated before accepting a quote.
Good decking starts below the surface.
The finished boards are the part you see. The structure underneath determines how they are supported and how water and air move around the deck. When comparing installation proposals, ask about these details.
Supporting frame
Specify the frame material, supports and fixings for the site conditions. A timber, aluminium or other proprietary system must suit the board and its intended use; an old frame should not be reused without inspection.
Spacing and movement
Joist spacing and board gaps are product-specific. Composite boards need room for thermal movement. The installer should use the selected board manufacturer’s requirements rather than one spacing for every range.
Water and ventilation
Plan the drainage route and clearance under the deck. Avoid trapping debris and moisture around the frame, and consider how the perimeter can be inspected and cleaned.
Replacing an existing deck? Check the frame first.
Soft boards, movement underfoot and failing edges can point to more than a worn surface. Before planning replacement boards, inspect the joists, posts, connections and ground beneath the existing structure.
If you are changing from timber to composite, the original joist spacing and fixing arrangement may not suit the new range. Include an assessment of the frame in your enquiry, along with photos of any visible damage. A clear proposal should explain what can stay, what must be replaced and how the old materials will be removed.
What affects your decking installation quote?
The cost depends on the deck size, material and work required in your garden. A straightforward low-level deck, a raised platform and a replacement with an unsound frame are different jobs. Compare the complete specification rather than the board price alone.
The ground and access
Existing structures, uneven ground, drainage work and the route for carrying materials can change the preparation and labour required.
The boards and frame
The chosen board range is only part of the price. The supporting structure, fixings, trims and board layout affect both cost and the finished result.
The finishing details
Steps, balustrades, borders and shaped edges add materials and work. Check whether waste removal and VAT are included in the quote.
Send your approximate dimensions, town or postcode and garden photographs so the proposed work can be assessed.
Discuss your decking quoteDecking planning permission: what is the 30cm rule?
For houses in England, Planning Portal’s guidance allows garden decking without a planning application when the following conditions are met:
- The finished decking is no more than 30cm above ground.
- Decking, extensions and other outbuildings together occupy no more than 50% of the garden.
- The deck is not in front of the house’s principal elevation.
Height is only one check. Listed buildings, designated land and restrictions on permitted development can change what is allowed. The same allowances do not apply to flats and maisonettes. Confirm your proposal with the local planning authority if you are unsure, especially on a sloping site or for a raised platform.
Questions about composite decking in Kent.
Do you cover Kent?
Yes. Decking Masters Kent offers timber and composite decking in Kent, with coverage across Kent and the surrounding locations shown on our areas page.
Which material is right for my garden?
Timber offers natural grain and can be refinished, but needs ongoing care. Composite usually needs less maintenance and offers a more uniform finish. The right choice depends on your budget, the look you want and how much upkeep suits you.
What affects the cost of decking?
The deck size, board specification, ground conditions, supporting frame, site access and extras such as steps or balustrades all affect the cost. A useful quote should explain these items separately.
Can decking replace an existing deck?
An existing deck can be replaced, but the frame should be checked for rot, movement and suitability for the new boards. Changing only the surface is not always the right solution.
What should I send with my enquiry?
Include your postcode, approximate dimensions, a few photos, your preferred material and any access restrictions. Mention changes in level, old decking to remove and whether you need steps or handrails.
What is the 30cm rule for decking?
It is one condition in England’s permitted development guidance: decking must be no more than 30cm above ground. Area, position and property restrictions also matter. See the planning section above for the other checks.
How much does a 20m² deck cost?
A 20m² deck needs a project-specific quotation. The boards, supporting frame, preparation, access, removal work and details such as steps or railings all affect the total. Send garden photos and approximate dimensions to discuss the scope.
What are the downsides of composite decking?
It can become hot in sun, marks are still possible, and most boards cannot be refinished like timber. It also needs cleaning and correct installation gaps. Performance varies by range.
Is decking slippery when wet?
Any outdoor surface can become slippery when dirty or affected by organic growth. Compare the selected board’s slip-performance information and follow its cleaning guidance. Neither grooves nor the word composite alone guarantee a non-slip surface.
How long does decking installation take?
Timing depends on the deck size, access, preparation, frame and finishing details. Ask for a programme for your specific design, including removal work and any weather-dependent stages.
What warranties apply?
Ask for the chosen board’s written product warranty and the installation terms. Length, coverage and exclusions differ by range. Product warranties and guarantees for workmanship are separate.
What should I budget for composite decking installation in Kent?
Compare a complete installation quote, including the boards, frame, preparation, fixings and finish. Supply-only prices leave out significant parts of the job. Your actual quote depends on the specification and site. Send photos, dimensions and your location to discuss the work required.
Can composite decking be fitted onto my existing timber frame?
Possibly, but only after checking its condition, supports and suitability for the selected boards. Changing the surface alone can leave an unsuitable frame or incorrect joist spacing beneath your new deck.
PROJECTS IN KENT
See the details in real gardens.
Sittingbourne · Composite decking
A garden terrace with room to unwind
A generous composite deck links the house, covered seating area and lawn, with wide steps and a carefully defined perimeter.
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Deal · Composite decking
A raised composite deck, neatly connected
Grey composite boards, black railings and an inset staircase create a practical terrace outside the rear doors.
View the projectDeal · Composite decking
An ash-coloured deck beneath a timber pergola
Composite decking creates a dedicated seating area beneath a pitched-roof timber pergola, alongside the wider garden landscaping in Deal.
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Yorkletts, Whitstable · Composite decking
Composite decking around a home in Yorkletts
Light-coloured composite decking wraps around the garden-facing room, with framed edges and board directions that follow the layout.
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Whitstable · Composite decking
A raised composite deck with storage underneath
A raised seating deck, stair unit and balustrade make use of a compact Whitstable garden, with custom roller storage below.
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Ashford · Composite decking
Composite decking shaped around ragstone borders in Ashford
Grey composite boards are cut around the ragstone borders, fitting a new deck into an established garden beside the house.
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Challock, near Ashford · Composite decking
A two-tone composite deck in Challock
Raised composite decking with a two-tone finish, rendered blockwork planters and acoustic fencing in Challock, near Ashford.
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Whitstable · Composite decking
Charcoal composite decking around a Whitstable summerhouse
A raised charcoal composite deck wraps around a summerhouse, with a broad step unit linking the platform to the garden.
View the projectYour garden, reimagined
Plan your decking projectMake room for life outside.
Tell us where you are, the size of your space and what you have in mind.