Wood decking and composite wood decking are two of the most common decking options for balconies in Singapore homes.
With a growing number of apartments with fresh floor plan designs, more home owners are choosing homes with al fresco private spaces for a different, cosier feel.
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Adding a wooden deck to your balcony definitely adds to its al fresco vibe. The question is: Which outdoor decking material should you use for your balcony – natural wood decking or composite wood decking? We take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of these two decking options:
It is important for home owners to know that there are different kind of materials available for solid wood decking, such as Chengal Wood, Ironwood, Balau, and Merbau. The most common option installed in balconies across Singapore is Chengal decking, as it is firm, stable, and has a relatively more absorbent coating as compared to other wood decking species. Due to its natural qualities, wood decking gives your balcony in tropical Singapore a true sense of nature. It also provides relatively better protection against heat and UV rays. However, unlike synthetic composite decking, it is necessary to maintain the balcony wood decking on a half yearly or yearly basis.
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Composite wood decking is a generally more durable balcony flooring option in Singapore as it is made of man-made resilient material that is resistant to outdoor weather conditions. It is also easier to maintain as compared to wood decking.
However, it is important for home owners to know that composite decking products vary in terms of quality due to their differing manufacturing standards. One should find out about the manufacturing source (and not the marketing source) of the decking product, especially with the huge number of manufacturers around today.
After all, it is what is inside of the composite decking that really matters. Responsible composite wood decking manufacturers will make sure their product is of the highest quality in terms of dimensional stability, so look out for credible accreditation such as the Singapore Green Label and PEFC.
Composite wood decking products come in different structures – some in a honeycomb structure and some in a full solid structure. A seller may tell you that their product’s structure is the most stable. However, what’s most important is to look at the manufacturer’s warranty.
Is the warranty from the distributor or the manufacturer? If it is from the distributor, it may be difficult to claim when there is a need to. Hence, if you are thinking of installing composite decking for your balcony in Singapore, look at the manufacturing source before making a decision on the best balcony decking option.
At the end of the day, regardless of the material you choose , knowing the credibility of the distributor and manufacturing source is the most crucial factor when you are looking for a suitable balcony decking for your home.
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