Composite Decking in Palmerston North

Composite decking is made from a mix of wood fibre and plastic, usually with a hard outer cap that resists staining and fading. For a lot of Palmerston North homeowners it ends the yearly cycle of washing, sanding and oiling. You hose it down a couple of times a year and that is about it.

It is the most expensive of the three decking options up front, and it is not the right call for everyone. But if you are planning to stay in the house, have kids or dogs who are hard on a deck, or you are just sick of oiling, it is usually the one people are happiest with five years later.

We build composite decks right across Palmerston North and Feilding, from small landings off a ranch slider in Kelvin Grove to full wraparound decks on newer homes out in Aokautere. The board on top is different. The structure underneath is built the same way we build every deck.

Why people choose it

• Close to zero maintenance: no oiling, sanding or staining
• Colour stays consistent for years, with no greying off
• No splinters, which matters for kids and bare feet
• Does not bleed tannin onto paving or concrete the way kwila can
• Long manufacturer warranties on the boards themselves

What to be aware of

• Highest up-front cost of the three options
• Darker colours get hot in full summer sun. If your deck faces north with no shade, go lighter or plan a pergola
• It is not timber. Up close it looks like a quality manufactured product, not a natural board
• Cheap composites can scratch and fade. We would rather talk you into a better board than build with one we would not stand behind

Composite decking in NZ comes from a handful of established suppliers. Names you will see include Ekodeck, Modwood decking and Futurewood decking, along with others sold through local timber merchants. Most are capped composite boards, sometimes called WPC decking (wood-plastic composite), with a protective outer shell over a core of wood fibre and recycled plastic.

The differences between brands come down to the cap, the colour range, board profile, the hidden fixing system and the warranty. When we quote, we talk through which boards suit your deck, your budget and how much sun it gets, and we install to that brand's own instructions: joist spacing, gaps and fixings. If you already have a brand in mind, tell us and we will price it.

Is composite really low maintenance decking?

Close to it. Composite never needs oiling, sanding or staining. It does still need a clean a couple of times a year to stop dirt and mildew building up, especially in shady spots, but that is a hose and a soft brush, not a weekend of work. Compare the two properly in our composite vs timber decking guide.

Working with a composite deck builder

Composite decking installation is less forgiving than timber. The boards move more with temperature, the joists need to be closer together, and the fixing systems are specific to each brand. A composite deck builder who has not done it before can leave gaps too tight, joists too far apart, or cut ends exposed. We frame to the board manufacturer's spec and finish the edges with matching fascia boards.