The 1x1 of decking
The choice of materials, colors and different surface textures is sometimes overwhelming and can make it difficult to make a decision. That’s why you’ll find a guide here that provides you with the most important key data on material science, suitability for areas of use, durability and degree of care. This will make it easier for you to decide which decking actually meets your expectations so that your dream patio stays just that for as long as possible. What you don’t have to worry about? A
WPC
When it comes to combining a wood-like appearance with minimal maintenance and a durability of up to 30 years, WPC (wood-plastic composite) is right at the front of the race. WPC is manufactured using recycled wood, plastics – usually polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) – and environmentally friendly additives that determine the color, among other things. Profile extrusion is most frequently used for production. Different material compositions, thicknesses and profiles of the wood-polymer compound lead to different properties that affect stability, surface structure, color fastness, sensitivity to dirt and water. It is precisely these features that should therefore be carefully examined and weighed up for your own patio and the desired application. It is also important to check in advance whether the selected WPC planks are also approved for the intended area (e.g. private and commercial) and what distances are specified by the plank manufacturer for the underlay.
Depending on the composition and manufacturing process, a greater or lesser change in color can also be expected after installation, which is of course also related to exposure to the sun. If the patio is covered, less fading can be expected than with an outdoor pool surround. So if you don’t want to completely do without the classic wood look, but are looking for a more robust material, WPC is the right choice and benefits from a particularly barefoot-friendly and splinter-free decking. In addition, more extravagant color accents can be set, from red to numerous shades of brown to almost white or anthracite, there are hardly any limits.
The classic
Wood is and remains the classic decking material, as a wooden deck immediately exudes rustic warmth and integrates natural materials into the garden design. However, there are a few aspects to consider when choosing the type of wood. In terms of durability, untreated larch, pine or ash can hardly compete with the durability class of tropical woods such as bankirai, garapa or ipé. A more sustainable alternative that demonstrates considerable durability is the thermally treated version of domestic woods, such as our Thermo Pine or Thermo Ash planks. This process gives them a high level of durability and also benefits from very low swelling and shrinkage behavior. This means that no compromises have to be made in terms of sustainability. Depending on the desired look, all types of wood require regular maintenance, such as cleaning, sanding and varnishing or oiling. The greyed version of the wood flooring is particularly modern and low-maintenance, with the wood forming a silver-grey patina over time.
Kebony®
Ceramic tiles
Ceramic slabs offer particularly innovative and almost endless design possibilities for patio areas. At just 20 mm thick and extremely resistant to frost, salt (water) and dirt of all kinds, ceramic slabs are enjoying increasing popularity for good reason. During the firing process at around 1,200 to 1,300 degrees, the tiles are fired in roller kilns and then digitally printed and/or embossed. Up to 40 different print images are produced for each design in our range, for a particularly individual look. The designs range from various stone looks with a subtle or stronger surface structure, to wood-like embossing and unusual models reminiscent of metal. The formats of the tiles, such as 60×60, 45×90, 80×80 or 40×120, are selected to complement the respective design. This enables the universal use of ceramic slabs with all their advantages for rustic, Mediterranean, simple, modern or accentuated looks.
Ceramic slabs are produced in series batches, which is why there are slight deviations in light or dark colors per production line, as we know from wallpaper, for example. It is therefore advantageous to allow for a little buffer in the planning stage to ensure that the entire patio has a harmonious overall appearance. It is also important to note the usual differences between nominal dimensions (e.g. 60×60 cm) and production dimensions (e.g. 59.5×59.5 cm). The applicable production dimensions, which must also be used to plan the substructure, can be found in our current price list or can be requested by telephone.
