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Composite Decking in Adelaide

Want a deck without the yearly oiling? Tell us about your project and we’ll pass your enquiry to a local carpenter who installs composite decking, for a free, no-obligation quote.

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Find a composite decking installer in Adelaide

Composite decking is made from a mix of wood fibres and plastic, often with recycled content. It looks like timber but doesn’t need oiling, won’t splinter and resists rot, which makes it a popular choice for busy households, pool areas and rental properties.

Tell us about your deck and we’ll connect you with a local carpenter who installs composite boards. Carpenter Adelaide is a free referral service: the carpenter quotes and does the work, and you deal with them directly.

Composite decking projects we can help with

  • New composite decks
  • Pool and spa surrounds
  • Re-decking an old timber deck with composite boards
  • Decks with hidden fixings and picture-frame edges
  • Composite steps, fascias and screening

Composite vs timber at a glance

Composite Hardwood timber
Upfront cost Usually higher Usually lower
Maintenance Occasional wash Clean and oil about once a year
Look Even colour, timber-look grain Natural variation, colour changes over time
Heat in full sun Can get hot, especially dark colours Gets warm, but usually cooler than dark composite
Splinters No Possible as the timber weathers

Our guide to timber vs composite decking goes into more detail, and how much a composite deck costs explains what drives the price.

Choosing composite boards

Brands and ranges vary a lot. When you compare quotes, ask about:

  • Capped or uncapped boards. Capped boards have a protective outer shell that resists stains and fading.
  • Colour and heat. Lighter colours stay cooler underfoot.
  • Fixing system. Hidden clips give a clean surface with no screw heads.
  • Joist spacing. Composite usually needs joists closer together than timber, which affects the frame and the price.
  • Warranty. Check what the board manufacturer covers, for how long, and what the carpenter’s workmanship warranty is.
  • Bushfire rating. If your block is bushfire-prone, ask for boards rated for your BAL.

Is composite right for you?

Composite suits you if you want a deck that looks tidy with very little upkeep and you’re happy to pay more upfront. If you love the feel of real timber and don’t mind oiling it, a hardwood deck may be the better fit. You can ask the carpenter to quote both.

How it works

A quote from a local carpenter, without ringing around

  1. Tell us about your project

    Fill in the short form with your suburb and what you need: a new deck, a pergola, a feature wall, framing for an extension or a repair.

  2. We refer a local carpenter

    We pass your enquiry to a recommended carpenter who does that kind of work in your part of Adelaide. Every carpenter we refer holds a current South Australian building work contractor licence and public liability insurance.

  3. The carpenter contacts you

    They get in touch to talk through the job, arrange a site visit if it’s needed and give you a quote.

  4. You decide

    There’s no obligation. Compare the quote, check the carpenter’s licence and only go ahead if you’re happy with the price, design and timing.

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Before you hire

How to choose a carpenter in Adelaide

Choose a carpenter who holds a current South Australian building work contractor licence and public liability insurance, gives you a written, itemised quote, and tells you who will lodge any council approval.

Every carpenter we refer meets our criteria (a current South Australian building work contractor licence and public liability insurance) when we add them to our list, but it’s still worth checking for yourself. The statutory warranties under the Building Work Contractors Act 1995 (SA) come from the carpenter who does the work, not from us.

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Checks before you sign

  1. Check the carpenter’s building work contractor licence on the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) website.
  2. Ask for a current certificate of currency for their public liability insurance.
  3. Get a written quote listing the materials, sizes, inclusions, exclusions and GST.
  4. For decks, pergolas and structural work, ask whether you need development approval and who will lodge it through PlanSA.
  5. Ask whether site preparation, engineering, rubbish removal and making good are included.
  6. For domestic building work of $20,000 or more that needs development approval, the builder must take out building indemnity insurance and give you the certificate before work starts.

Composite Decking: common questions

What are the advantages of composite decking?

Composite boards don’t need oiling or staining, won’t splinter, and resist rot and insects. Most just need an occasional wash. They also come in consistent colours, so the deck looks even from board to board.

Is composite decking more expensive than timber?

Usually, yes, at least upfront. Composite boards generally cost more than hardwood, and the frame underneath still needs to be built properly. Over the life of the deck, the savings on oil and maintenance can narrow the gap. Your carpenter can quote both options so you can compare.

Does composite decking get hot in summer?

It can, especially dark colours in full sun. Lighter colours and capped boards designed to run cooler help. If the deck is in full afternoon sun, ask the carpenter to show you samples and talk about which boards stay cooler.

Is composite decking suitable for bushfire-prone areas?

Some composite products are tested for use in bushfire-prone areas and some aren’t. If your property has a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating, ask for boards that are rated for it under AS 3959, and check with your council what applies to your block.

Can composite boards go over my old deck frame?

Sometimes. Composite boards often need joists closer together than timber boards do, and the frame has to be sound and level. A carpenter will check the old frame and tell you whether it can be reused.

Other carpentry projects we can help with

Timber Decking

Merbau, blackbutt and other hardwood decks, plus restoring tired old decks.

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Pergolas & Outdoor Entertaining

Timber and steel pergolas, gable and flat roofs, fire-pit and spa areas.

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Feature Walls & Cement Cladding

VJ panelling, wainscoting, timber ceilings and external cladding.

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Timber Screening & Bench Seating

Privacy screens, built-in seats and planter boxes for decks and courtyards.

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1st Fix Carpentry & Structural Timber

Wall, roof and floor framing for extensions, renovations and new builds.

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2nd Fix Carpentry & Detailing

Doors, skirting, architraves and the finishing work you see every day.

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Ready to find a carpenter?

Tell us about your project and we’ll connect you with a recommended local carpenter for a free, no-obligation quote.

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