Solid vs Hollow composite decking

Its been a while since I was on here (as we now have someone half decent doing all the on line marketing to replace me).

But I wanted to bring to the group's attention the issues we are seeing with hollow composite decking.

The TDCA recently contacted me and actually visited the Ecodek factory here in Wrexham to get a better understanding of composites and also to do some research in our lab to investigate why some of the hollow boards on sale are failing so badly.

Ecodek is solid and always will be, there are many reasons for that!

Pro Landscaper seem to agree:

http://prolandscapermagazine.com/are-your-readers-hollow-composite-deck-boards-failing-ecodek-want-to-help/

and here's our latest blog entry on the subject:

http://ecodek.co.uk/blog/solid-vs-hollow-the-battle-begins/

It always pays to buy British, there is little or no quality control on the hollow decking coming from China - our lab reports show mixed plastic waste that de-laminates within weeks of being installed! Its appalling that companies are getting away with selling such a weak product and it gives composite decking a bad name. We're here to try to rectify that!

And don't think that the UK suppliers of these inferior decking boards are not aware of the product's short-comings, believe me, they know & they choose to ignore it.

Rant over .........

Alex Collins

MD Ecodek

Made in the UK

Replies

Derek Conway May 28, 2015 at 7:29pm

Just looked at the Pendwood website. The first line on the first first page has a pretty big typo which doesnt inspire confidence"woood composite"???
- Alex Collins > Derek Conway May 29, 2015 at 2:39pm
  
  Is that the same Pendwood that insist you install on a 1:40 slope and spans of 250mm for their standard board? - Both of those things inspire confidence!!!
Country Supplies October 13, 2015 at 4:11pm

My problem is composite is ugly on its cuts. Have you seen Lignia http://conta.cc/1NYE6b9
Alex Collins October 13, 2015 at 4:19pm

Dear Country Supplies, you state composite is 'ugly on its cuts" - can you quantify that statement please?
- Country Supplies > Alex Collins October 13, 2015 at 4:32pm
  
  It seems generally the cut ends never look as nice as a natural product
Alex Collins October 13, 2015 at 4:40pm

I guess it's subjective. Although I tend to agree when talking about hollow composites or capped composites. Ecodek however is homogeneous the whole way through so the material you see on the cut end is the same as the material you see on the extruded face. When making a sweeping statement like you have, it's always good to try to back it up with facts.....