UltraDeck vs. Cladco Decking: Which is Best For You?
When it comes to adding Decking to your property you want to be sure that the product you are installing is the best option for you, in terms of price, ease of installation, warranty, and appearance.
Alternative building materials for Decks have become increasingly popular, with many low maintenance Composite Decking Deck Boards available. Both Cladco Decking and UltraDeck provide a low-maintenance Composite Decking product, however, both brands offer different colours, sizes and finishes, with different warranties and properties. This article will break down the differences between Cladco Composite Decking with UltraDeck Fusion and UltraDeck Rustic Decking Boards.
Material Composition
Both Cladco Composite Decking Boards and UltraDeck Fusion are made using an amalgamation of both wood fibres and plastic together with bonding agents and tints. These materials give both brands of Decking Boards advantages over real wood Boards, advantages such as low-maintenance, low-slip, rot, warp, splinter and scratch resistance properties.
Cladco Composite Decking is made using 100% recycled materials with FSC accredited recycled wood fibres paired with recycled plastic with additional tints and bonding agents for a high-quality durable Composite Decking Board, whereas UltraDeck boards are not made using 100% environmentally friendly or recycled ingredients.
Find more information about Cladco's environmental policy here.
LOOK AND FEEL
Decking is traditionally built using Timber Decking Boards for a 'real wood', authentic look and feel. Both Cladco and UltraDeck use a percentage of real wood which gives the boards the image of a traditional timber deck, without the hassle of maintaining it.
Both Cladco and UltraDeck Composite Decking Boards offer a variety of colours and finishes. Cladco Woodgrain Decking gives the appearance of real wood with its woodgrain effect finish on the surface of the Board.
Cladco also offers a Nordeck PVC Decking Board, this top-of-the-line Deck Board has a high-quality timber aesthetic similar to the UltraDeck Rustic Board range. Both UltraDeck and Cladco Nordeck Decking Board have an authentic high-quality look and feel.
COLOURS AVAILABLE
Thanks to the ever-expanding market for Decking, more materials, and product options are appearing on the market, taking over from the real wood product.
If you like to match or contrast your decking colour to your home or garden buildings then choosing a man-made deck board will give you increased colour options. Boards are available in several colours ranging from traditional wood-like shades to more fashionable options. UltraDeck Fusion Decking is engineered to reflect natural colour variants to give you an authentic wood-like Deck. Cladco Composite and Nordeck Decking are available in a range of colours, all with additional additives which help decrease the chances of UV fading.
Cladco Composite colours available:
- Redwood
- Light Grey
- Stone Grey
- Charcoal
- Coffee
- Teak
- Ivory
- Olive Green
Cladco Nordeck Decking colours available:
- Chestnut
- Ash Grey
- Cedar Wood
- Ebony
- Silver Birch
- Walnut
UltraDeck Rustic colours available:
- Hickory
- Cedar
- Grey
- Redwood
UltraDeck Fusion Colours available:
- Walnut
- Rosewood
Cladco offers a range of eight colours in the Composite Decking Boards and a range of six colours in the Nordeck Decking Boards. whereas UltraDeck Rustic Boards are available in only four colours and UltraDeck Fusion only has a small choice of two colours, reducing the freedom of unique style and preferences.
With the darker coloured boards, they may absorb more heat than lighter colours, so thinking about the placement of your deck may be something you want to consider before settling on a colour scheme. If your Deck is placed in the area of your garden where the sun is stronger or where there isn't much shade coverage, bear in mind that darker coloured Boards may become hotter than lighter.
To see colours, order Cladco Composite Decking and Nordeck Decking Sample Packs here.
To see inspirational images of Decking projects see the image gallery here.
Cost: Is UltraDeck Composite More Expensive Than Cladco's?
COSTS PER BOARD
Composite Decking Boards are generally priced higher than Timber Decking, at around £6-£10 per metre. This price can vary depending on the brand, length, and finish of the Deck Product.
Cladco Composite Decking price start at £17.28 for a 2.4m Original Hollow Decking Board and increases to £38.40 for a solid Bullnose Board. Bullnose Boards, with their sophisticated curved edge, are often used either on steps or around the edges of a Deck, or to create a picture frame effect in a complimenting or contrasting colour.
Cladco also offers a railing system, the Cladco Balustrade can easily be fitted to Cladco Composite Boards to create an attractive, safe deck.
UltraDeck Fusion Board, which can be purchased via Menards based in the US, which on average the price is around £19.23 per 2.4 meter Board increasing to £55.80 for a 6-meter Fusion Board.
UltraDeck Rustic Board can be purchased via Menards, price starting price being £14.26 for a 2.4m Board.
However, when it comes to purchasing and building a low-maintenance composite decking area it is not just the Decking Boards you will need to find information on and purchase. The cost of the building should also include the price of all the extra components, Joists, Screws, Trims and Base to be taken into consideration.
Cladco Profiles Decking can be installed by any capable DIY person, with the easy-to-follow installation guides available. Whereas UltraDeck Fusion and UltraDeck Rustic Decking Boards may need to be installed by a professional installer, which adds to the overall price of the finished Deck.
Find out more information about installing here.
WARRANTY: HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?
Adding Decking to your property is a timely and costly project, ensure you are choosing the correct product for you.
Cladco Composite Decking Boards come with a ten-year guarantee, whereas Cladco Nordeck Decking Boards come with a 20-year guarantee. Both guarantees are subject to terms and conditions, the Boards should not stain, fade, rot, warp or split.
Composite Decking Boards have increased insect, UV and stain-resistance properties, are easy to maintain, and are available in a range of colours, all of the properties and information mentioned help guarantee the deck boards will last for many years.
However, due to the natural elements found within the interior of the Boards, they may be subject to expansion and contraction due to weather changes.
UltraDeck Rustic Boards come with a 10- year guarantee, and the UltraDeck Fusion Decking Boards have a 25-year guarantee.
Having a low-maintenance composite decking installed on your property enables you to enjoy your Deck without having to worry about affecting the warranty while trying to care for the Boards.
UltraDeck and Cladco Deck Care
FADING AND DECKING ISSUES
Cladco Composite Decking and Nordeck Decking Boards come with low-maintenance properties, the Boards do not need to be sanded, varnished, painted or treated, and only require cleaning when necessary.
As with anything product that spends its lifetime subject to the elements, may be subject to weathering and fading if exposed to an increased amount of sunshine and UV rays.
Cladco and (Menards) UltradDeck Composite Decking have fade-resistant properties, giving the Decking Boards and increased protection from weather or fading. If Cladco Composite Decking Products fade, this should only be a slight change of colour and can give the Boards an attractive weathered look.
Unlike other products on the market, Cladco low maintenance Composite Decking Boards also have increased resistance to staining. These properties, along with Cladcos insect and UV resistance benefits make Cladco Composite Decking Boards the ideal product for any outside dining or socialising Deck area, while also helping the Deck maintain its colour and appearance throughout its lifetime.
MOULD AND MILDEW
One issue that any real wood deck will have is the growth of mould and mildew. Timber products, being a natural product will absorb moisture, causing the wood to swell and saturate while also encouraging the growth of mould and mildew. Mould and Mildew can also cause timber Decking Boards to become slippery underfoot.
Both Cladco Composite and Nordeck Decking Boards have low-absorption properties due to being made with a mixture of recycled wood and recycled plastic, meaning mould, mildew or algae should not grow on the boards. The lack of mildew and mould growing on the surface of Composite Decking Boards adds to the Board's low-slip functionalities.
UltraDeck Composite Decking, which can be purchased via Menards, has no information regarding their product and the growth of mould or mildew. However, low maintenance Composite Decking Boards are easy to clean, so if any unwanted growth does occur, it should be easily rectified with cleaning.
For further information about mould and mildew growth and how to prevent it, please see here.
WEATHER AND HEAT RETENTION
High-quality modern Cladco and UltraDeck Composite Decking products should not get any hotter than regular Timber Decking Boards.
However, like any product that is left in the heat of the sun, both Cladco and UltraDeck Composite Decking can become warm underfoot during the heat of the summer. This is most likely to occur with the darker coloured boards, as they absorb more of the sun's heat and energy compared to a light coloured deck.
UltraDeck Rustic, UltraDeck Fusion, Cladco Composite, and Cladco Nordeck Decking Boards are able to withstand both sunshine, rain, and ice thanks to their additional properties.
Cladco Composite Decking Boards, when installed correctly, have low-slip properties, the narrow grooves manufactured into the board's surface not only provide grip but also helps prevent scratching. The low-slip properties of the recycled wood and plastic boards made possible when the Boards are laid with the narrow grooves facing up, allow Composite Deck to be safe whatever the weather.
Find out further information about caring for your Cladco Composite Deck when it becomes frosty or icey here.
SCRATCH RESISTANCE
Composite Decking Boards are durable and hardwearing, thanks to the amalgamation of plastic and wood ingredients that make up the Boards. Unlike Timber where the soft or hardwood can become easily scratched, the Composite product has scratch-resistant properties.
You have spent a lot of money on your new product and deck, the last thing you want is for the Decking Boards to become scratched and marked thanks to the scraping of garden furniture, animal claws or high-heels.
As previously mentioned, if you use composite materials for your deck, such as Cladco Composite or UltraDeck Composite Decking Boards, the man-made decking products have increased scratch and stain resistance properties. The narrow grooves and durable high-quality material used in the product give the Boards increased resistance to scratches and marks. So your brand new garden furniture should not cause any unwanted marks or scratches on your Composite Decking.
For further information regarding Cladco Composite Decking Boards and their properties see here.
Conclusion: The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, as long as you purchase a high-quality Composite, PVC or timber product, at a price that suits your budget, then your deck project should look great and last for many years.
Both Cladco and UltraDeck Composite Decking Boards come with a range of properties, including multi-year warranties, low-slip, low-maintenance, and scratch-resistant benefits. But, when it comes to purchasing your Deck, the colours, price and company should also take a part in finding what the right deck product for you is.
Cladco Composite Decking is made using 100% recycled products, is a low-maintenance Composite Decking Board and is available in a wider range of colours than UltraDeck, with a range of properties such as UV and insect resistance and should not rot, warp splinter, stain or scratch.
You don't want to be painting, sanding or varnishing your deck when you can simply be enjoying it. Cladco Composite Decking Boards are durable, high-quality, low-maintenance and low-slip boards so you can enjoy your deck without having to spend hours taking care of it.
- To see colours, order Cladco Composite Decking and Nordeck Decking Sample Packs here.
- Or if you are wanting to get started planning out your Deck, why not get an estimated quote for your deck with the Cladco Calculator here.
For further information or to shop the Cladco Decking range see our website, or contact one of our friendly sales representatives on 01837 659901.
