At Ecoscape UK, we love nothing more than our eco-friendly composite decking boards. We firmly believe this sustainable, durable material outranks timber every time – no one wants a rotting wooden deck – but this got us thinking: what else can our highest quality composite products be used for? In this article, we will take a look at some alternative uses for Ecoscape composite decking, and how you can use this versatile material around your garden.
What Is Composite Decking?
Traditional wooden decking is usually the go-to material when thinking about outdoor boards. However, although beautiful, timber is prone to water damage and staining, and requires a lot of maintenance. Ecoscape provides an alternative decking solution, that is stronger than wooden decking, more durable, and very low maintenance: composite decking! Composite products are:- Durable and long-lasting
- Resistant to damage
- Resistant to stains
- Will not fade
- Eco-friendly
- Easy to install
- Slip-resistant
- Fire-resistant
What Is Composite Decking Typically Used For?
As hinted by the name of the product, composite decking is most commonly used to replace traditional wooden decking and is used to construct an eco-friendly deck in your yard. It is most often used to replace timber products, such as for outdoor flooring, balustrades, railings, raised pathways or garden steps. The rich colours, exposed edges and textured appearance of composite material make it great for outdoor use if the wood is not an option – especially as this product requires little to no upkeep and is incredibly durable.Alternative Uses For Composite Decking Boards
Composite decking boards are predominantly used for deck-building. But our high-quality composite products can also be used in a variety of other ways in your outdoor space. Let’s take a look at some alternative uses for composite decking.Planters and flower boxes
Because these boards are moisture-resistant, which will prevent these boards from rotting and becoming waterlogged, they are a great material for raised flower beds or planters. This material is also very lightweight , which means constructing your planters or flower boxes will be very easy. Matching your raised planters with your decking material will create a cohesive look in your garden.Swimming pool deck
A pool deck is not that different from a normal porch deck, but it still deserves a mention as not many people will consider this material for pool decking as they might incorrectly assume these boards are slippery when wet – but they could not be more wrong! This material is water resistant so it will not become swollen or warped when wet, and it is also slip-resistant. This means your children can run around the pool without the risk of slipping and hurting themselves.Outdoor seating
A built-in bench or sunken conversation area can easily be constructed with composite decking. By matching your seating area with your decking, your garden will look cohesive, modern and stylish.Dog house
Your furry friend also needs their own home in your garden, and if you have an outdoor dog – or even just want to create a shaded nook for your pooch – then composite floor boards are the way to go. The easy-to-clean nature of these boards means your dog will have a clean place to call home, and the moisture-resistant boards will keep your best friend dry even when it rains.Shelves
Have you ever thought about using composite decking boards to create shelves? If you can use wooden decking off-cuts for this purpose, then why not composite boards? You can use this shelf outdoors to display your herbs or plants or use it as a place to store your tools. If you have an entertainment area outside, these shelves can also be used by guests to place their drinks or plates on.Garden pathways
Raised walkways can be used to connect different areas of your garden, and will also prevent your feet from getting muddy when trampling around outside. Using composite decking walkways is a great idea as these boards are slip-resistant, easy to maintain, and also very stylish. If you do not want to build an entire raised walkway, you can simply use individual boards as stepping stones. The colour choice available to you means you can get very creative with your walkways. These boards are also easy to clean – you can simply use a broom or some soap and water – which means you do not have to worry about mud building up on your garden paths.Table or picnic bench
Reclaimed furniture is incredibly popular, and the same goes for tables and benches made from composite off-cuts. You can easily construct a table or picnic bench using these boards, and you won’t have to worry about the table becoming warped when left outside in the rain. If you do not have enough boards for a large table, consider building a small bench or picnic table for your kids.Cladding
Although Ecoscape provides specifically made composite cladding, our versatile decking can also be used for cladding or siding. Decking boards can be applied to the walls of your shed, house or garage to create a classy look.Hide your bins
Outdoor bins can be rather unsightly, but fortunately, our composite decking boards can be used to build a storage structure to hide these binds away. And the best part is that should the boards get a bit grimy from being in the vicinity of your trash cans, you can easily wash them down with your hosepipe. Your bin storage can be constructed with a roof to protect your bins from the elements as well.The base for your garden shed
You want your shed to be level, and preferably you also want your walkway to your shed to be flat. This is where composite decking comes in. You can use these boards as the floor of your shed, or construct a small deck around your shed for additional storage without having to place your equipment on your lawn. The boards will provide your shed with a level base that is waterproof and will prevent your wooden shed walls from absorbing moisture from the ground.Kids’ play areas
Composite decking can be used to construct a durable, easy-to-clean playhouse, or a sandpit that will withstand the test of time.Storage box
Our deck boards can be used to construct an inconspicuous storage box outside where you can store your tools, outdoor furniture cushions, or your kid’s toys. This will ensure your garden remains neat, and will be unobtrusive if the storage box matches your deck.Garden bar
Those who enjoy entertaining friends and family will love this idea: build a garden bar with your composite boards. You can easily wipe down the bar if anyone spills, and it will be a stylish addition to your garden.Use it for caravans
Composite decking can be used as steps for a caravan, as well as an easy-to-build deck around the caravan. It increases the living space of a caravan by providing additional seating areas, places for plants, or a place where kids can play nearby.Home for birds
If you want to tackle a fun DIY project, then building a space for birds from composite decking boards is a good idea. You can build a birdhouse or simply a feeding station, and you will be able to easily clean it if the birds make a mess.FAQs
What can I do with composite board offcuts?
Here are some ideas for projects you can do with offcuts:- Build cornhole boards if you enjoy outdoor games.
- If you have lots of boards left, you can build outdoor furniture such as picnic tables or benches.
- Construct outdoor shelves that can be used to exhibit your potted plants, herbs, or gardening tools.
- You can use the boards as name boards – such as a building name or room number – by etching letters or numbers into the boards.
