We supply three established composite decking systems: EvaLast, ModWood and Trex.

Each brand has its own board profiles, colours, surface finishes, fixing systems and performance characteristics, so you can compare options side by side rather than being locked into one system. We also stock the matching fastener range for each brand.

Composite decking is a manufactured board designed to give the appearance of timber with much less ongoing maintenance.

Depending on the product, composite boards can offer fade resistance, stain resistance, moisture resistance, resistance to mould and mildew, and a splinter-free surface. Capped products add a protective outer layer over the composite core. Always check the specifications and warranty conditions for the exact board you are buying, because these vary between ranges.

They are three different systems, each built around its own board profile and fixing method.

• EvaLast — the Infinity I-Series grooved board, 135×25mm in 5.4m lengths, in Caribbean Coral, Concrete Grey, Oasis Palm and Spanish Saffron. A matching starting board and a 150×12mm fascia board complete the system, and it is fixed with the Hulk Halo clip or the collated chain clip.
• ModWood — Australian made, and the widest choice of ranges we carry: Natural Range and Natural Grain, XTREME GUARD, Flame Shield, Marina, and a screening profile. Board sizes run 68×17mm, 88×23mm, 137×23mm and 137×32mm, in 4.2m, 4.8m and 5.4m lengths. Fixed with KlevaKlip concealed clips or coloured face screws.
• Trex — Transcend and Transcend Lineage, 5480×140×25mm, available in both grooved and square edge, plus a 3660×184×14mm square fascia board. Fixed with starter and connector clips, supplied in separate versions for timber and metal substrates.

No single brand is the right answer for every deck. The choice usually comes down to the board width and thickness you want, colour, slip requirements, fixing method and budget.

The main reason is reduced ongoing maintenance. Composite boards generally do not need the regular sanding, oiling and recoating that keeping natural timber looking its best requires, and they give a more consistent colour across the finished deck.

Natural hardwood is a different product, not a worse one. It gives you real timber grain, natural colour variation and character that a manufactured board cannot fully reproduce. We supply both, so you can compare them for your project instead of being pushed one way.

• Natural Range / Natural Grain — the core decking boards, 88×23mm and 137×23mm in 5.4m, with an R11 slip rating on the Natural Range grooved board.
• XTREME GUARD — a capped board with a protective outer layer for improved stain and fade resistance, 137×23mm grooved in 5.4m.
• Flame Shield — 137×23mm in 5.4m, for projects where bushfire performance is part of the specification. Check the current certification against the requirements applying to your site.
• Marina — a heavier 137×32mm board in 4.2m, R11 rated.
• Mini Board — 68×17mm in 4.8m, for narrow boards, steps, edges and detail work.
• Screening — profiles for privacy screens and fencing rather than decking.

It can be, but product selection matters more here than it does further south.

Queensland decks see high UV, real heat, humidity, heavy rain and big temperature swings. Composite boards differ in UV stabilisation, surface technology and colour stability, so the board that performs well on a shaded southern patio is not automatically the right one for a west-facing Brisbane deck.

The ranges we carry are marketed for Australian conditions, and capped systems in particular are built for continuous exposure.

Composite decking holds colour far better than most outdoor materials, but no product exposed to full Queensland sun should be assumed to stay exactly as supplied indefinitely.

How much it moves depends on the product, the colour and the exposure. Capped systems such as EvaLast Infinity and ModWood XTREME GUARD are specifically built with a protective outer layer for improved fade resistance, and are the ones to look at first for a fully exposed deck.

Yes. Composite decking can get hot in direct sun, and darker colours get hotter — this is the single most common surprise for customers.

Surface temperature depends on colour, board composition, how much direct sun the deck gets, ambient temperature and airflow underneath. If the deck faces west or north with no shade and will be walked on barefoot, favour the lighter colours in the range. We can talk through the options before you order.

Slip performance varies by brand, profile and surface finish, so check the specification for the exact board.

Several of the ModWood boards we stock carry an R11 slip rating, including the Natural Range grooved board, Flame Shield and Marina. That rating is worth looking for if the deck is a pool surround, a wet area, a commercial job, or anywhere slip resistance forms part of the design requirement.

Composite boards are manufactured rather than sawn from a log, and the ranges we carry are designed to give a splinter-free or reduced-splinter surface.

For families with young children, pool areas and any deck that gets used barefoot, this is often the deciding factor over natural timber.

Yes, and pool surrounds are one of the most common uses. The product still needs to suit the application.

Look at the slip rating, drainage, how hot the colour will get underfoot, and the fixing system. An R11 rated board in a lighter colour is generally the safer starting point for a pool deck. Also confirm the manufacturer's recommendations regarding chlorinated or salt water splash.

Most composite decking uses grooved boards with concealed clips, so no screw heads show on the surface. Square-edge boards are face fixed instead.

Each brand has its own system:

• EvaLast — Hulk Halo clip with a timber or steel screw, or the collated chain clip installed with the Hulk hand tool for faster runs.
• ModWood — KlevaKlip concealed clips, supplied in separate 88mm and 137mm versions to match the board width, or coloured face screws.
• Trex — starter clips at the first board, then connector clips, with different versions for timber and metal substrates.

Do not mix fixing systems between brands unless the manufacturer specifically confirms compatibility. The clip sets the board gap, and the wrong clip changes the spacing and can affect the warranty.

Yes. All three systems can be installed over suitable timber framing, provided the joist spacing, framing dimensions, ventilation, drainage and fixing method follow the decking manufacturer's requirements.

Do not assume the joist spacing you would use for a hardwood deck carries across. Composite boards are generally less forgiving on spacing, and stair treads and diagonal or herringbone patterns normally need closer centres again.

In most cases, yes — and it is the part people most often leave off the order.

Composite systems use proprietary clips, screws, starter clips and fascia fixings. We stock the fastener range for each brand as its own group, so the components match the boards you are buying. A few points worth knowing:

• Clips and screws come in separate timber-joist and metal-joist versions. Check which frame you are fixing to before ordering.
• ModWood KlevaKlips are width specific — 88mm clips for 88mm boards, 137mm clips for 137mm boards.
• ModWood XTREME GUARD uses a 305 stainless coloured screw rather than the standard coloured screw.
• Trex connector clips come in 90-piece and 900-piece packs, which makes a difference on a larger deck.

Using the correct fixings matters for board spacing, appearance and warranty conditions. Tell us your board, your frame material and your deck area and we can work out the clip and screw quantities with you.

Yes, and this is not optional. Airflow and drainage beneath the boards are part of how the deck performs.

Composite decking should not be laid straight onto ground, sand or an unsuitable surface. The frame has to provide the clearance, cross-flow ventilation and drainage set out in the manufacturer's installation instructions. Trapped moisture underneath is the most common cause of problems on an otherwise well-built composite deck.

Yes, composite boards cut with normal woodworking tools. A fine-tooth blade gives the cleanest edge.

Follow the installation instructions for the particular product regarding cut ends. Capped boards expose the uncapped core where they are cut, so exposed cut ends usually want to be hidden by a fascia board, an end cap or a picture-frame board rather than left on show.

Some ranges do, and it makes a real difference to the finished job.

• EvaLast — a 150×12mm fascia board in 4.8m, plus a matching starting board for the first course.
• Trex — a Transcend square fascia board, 3660×184×14mm.
• ModWood — check the current range, as decking boards or the Mini Board are often used for edge detail instead.

Plan the fascia, stair edges and exposed board ends at the same time as the decking. They have a bigger effect on how the deck looks when finished than most people expect, and they are easier to order up front than to add later.

Yes, composite boards are commonly used for stair treads, provided the stair structure, tread support, fixing method and the manufacturer's installation requirements are all followed.

Stair treads normally need closer support than the deck field, so check the required spacing for the board you are using. The board is only one part of the stair — the stringers, framing and connections have to be designed properly as well. We also supply galvanised stair stringers and structural timber, so the rest of the stair can come from the same order.

No. This is the main practical difference from a hardwood deck. Composite decking is designed to be low maintenance and does not need the regular oiling, staining or recoating that natural timber requires to hold its colour.

Maintenance is normally limited to periodic cleaning. Follow the cleaning instructions supplied with the product, and avoid harsh abrasives or pressure-washing beyond the pressure the manufacturer allows.

It depends on the product, its raw materials, the manufacturing process, how long it lasts and what happens to it at the end of its life.

Several composite boards incorporate recycled content, and a long service life with no coatings applied over the years is itself part of the picture. Refer to the manufacturer's environmental information for the specific product rather than assuming all composite decking is equivalent.

Service life depends on the product, the quality of the installation, the exposure and the maintenance.

The useful way to compare products is the manufacturer's published warranty and technical documentation for the exact system — including what the warranty covers, for how long, and what installation conditions it depends on. Ask us and we can point you to the current documentation for the board you are considering before you commit.

Yes, and that is one of the practical advantages of buying from us: you can compare natural hardwood and composite from the same supplier instead of getting one story from each.

Merbau gives you genuine timber grain, natural colour variation and the character of real wood, at a lower up-front cost, in exchange for oiling and maintenance over the years. Composite costs more to buy and gives you consistent colour, no splinters and very little maintenance after installation.

There is no material that suits every project. It comes down to the look you want, how much maintenance you are realistically going to do, the site conditions and the budget.

Yes. We supply both timber and composite decking to homeowners, builders, deck builders, landscapers, architects and commercial customers across Queensland, from our Archerfield warehouse in Brisbane.

When comparing composite options, the things worth pinning down are:

• Board profile, width and thickness
• Colour and surface finish, and how much sun the deck gets
• UV and fade resistance, and whether the board is capped
• Slip rating, if it is a pool or wet area
• Grooved or square edge
• Joist spacing and frame material
• Fixing system and fastener quantities
• Fascia and edge details
• Warranty and current availability
• Total project cost, boards and fixings together

Send us your deck dimensions and we can work through the options and quantities with you. Browse the full Decking Wood QLD range of composite decking, hardwood decking, structural timber, hardware and coatings.