Low-maintenance composite decks that stay looking new: no staining, no splinters, no rot. Designed around your garden, built on a solid frame and finished with steps, fascias and balustrades to match.
Composite boards are made from a blend of wood fibre and recycled plastic. They look like timber but won't rot, splinter or need staining, and the colour holds for years. For most of our customers that means a deck they can simply use, with a wash down now and then instead of sanding and repainting or re-treating every 2 to 5 years.
It costs more than softwood up front, but over the life of the deck it's usually the better-value option, particularly in a damp, shaded Manchester garden where softwood has a hard time.
We've fitted grey, charcoal, light grey, blue-grey and brown composite, in both woodgrain and grooved finishes. We'll talk you through how each one will look in your garden and show you examples from past jobs. Darker boards warm up more in full summer sun; lighter greys show less dust and pollen. We'll help you weigh it up.
Composite boards need their joists closer together than timber does. We follow the board manufacturer's joist spacing, fixings and expansion gaps to the letter, because that's what keeps a composite deck flat and quiet underfoot and keeps the manufacturer's warranty valid. Every frame is built from pressure-treated timber over a weed membrane, and we'll walk you round it before a single board goes down.
| Composite | Treated softwood | Hardwood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Mid to high | Lowest | Highest |
| Upkeep | Occasional wash | Repaint or re-treat every 2 to 5 years | Oil to keep the colour |
| Typical lifespan | Long; many boards carry 20 to 25 year warranties | Around 10 to 15 years if looked after | 25 years or more |
| Splinters and rot | None | Can splinter and rot as it ages | Naturally resistant |
| Look | Consistent colour, woodgrain finishes | Natural timber, paint or stain any colour | Rich natural grain |
Not sure? That's what the site visit is for. See also timber and hardwood decking.
I used Manchester Sovereign to repair my composite decking. Luke was extremely professional and reliable. He always responded quickly (even when away on holiday), the quality of his work was excellent, and his prices are very reasonable. I would certainly recommend Manchester Sovereign to anyone!
We are so pleased with our new composite decking. Luke was very professional, friendly and easy to work with. Great communication before, during and after the build. He needed to come back and do a minor adjustment, it was done promptly, without issue and like nothing was too much trouble. Well priced and good quality work – Would highly recommend!
I recently had a new composite deck installed, and I cannot recommend this company highly enough. A pleasure to have around: Luke and Chris were absolute professionals. They were friendly, polite, and made the whole process stress-free. It’s rare to find a team that is such a genuine pleasure to have on-site. Clear communication: They are excellent communicators. I was kept informed every step of the way, so there were never any surprises regarding the timeline or the build. Tidy workers: I was incredibly impressed by how organized they were. They kept the workspace safe and left everything spotless at the end of each day. The final result of the composite decking looks stunning. If you want a high-quality finish delivered by a top-tier team, ask for Luke and Chris!
I decided to go with Luke as when he came to give me a quote he didn’t rush. He listened to my ideas and even gave me some ideas of his own. He didn’t rush off. This really swayed me to use his company as it was clear that he cared about his projects. From start to finish he walked me through every aspect of the framework and checked I was happy with the structure before he started the next stage. Both Luke and Chris worked long hours even at weekends and bank holidays to get the work done but didn’t lower the standards of their work. They never stopped from arriving to leaving and each night they tidied any mess which I found great since I hate mess! We had several walk through and if there was any issues (again from me as I am a nightmare for detail) they made sure it was solved. The area I had covered with composite decking was huge and on two levels but I am really pleased with the results. I am now in the process of adding my own decorative touches but would happily recommend this company as I couldn’t fault them. Thanks again Luke and Chris and for anyone considering having work done then you won’t be disappointed 😊
Fantastic job done by Luke and Chris from Manchester Sovereign replacing our old decking for composite and some turfing. Open, honest and happy to suggest ideas for the project that might suit us without pushing anything on us. Communication throughout was excellent along with the quality of the work and materials.
Good-quality composite boards have a textured woodgrain or grooved surface that grips well. Like any outdoor surface it can be slippery with algae if it's never cleaned, so give it a wash with soapy water or a gentle pressure wash a couple of times a year.
Darker composite boards do warm up in strong direct sun, more than timber. If your deck faces south and you'll be barefoot on it a lot, a lighter grey is worth considering. We'll talk this through at the site visit.
Usually, yes. We build a low frame on adjustable pads or bearers over the existing slabs, leaving drainage and airflow underneath, so there's no need to break the patio out.
Smaller ground-level decks can be done in a day or two. Large, raised or multi-level decks with steps and balustrades usually take several days. We'll give you a realistic timescale with your quote.
For most people who want a deck they don't have to maintain, yes. You avoid the sanding and repainting or re-treating that softwood needs every 2 to 5 years, and the deck keeps its colour. If budget is the priority, a well-built treated softwood deck is a perfectly good option.
Tell us about your garden and we'll arrange a free visit and quote. Interest-free and buy now, pay later finance available.