Composite Decking FAQs

Composite decking is a decking board made from a blend of plastic and wood fibre. Sylvan boards are a wood-polymer composite (WPC) of 30% Grade A recycled HDPE, 60% wood fibre and 10% additives, so they look like timber but will not rot or splinter and never need staining.

Yes. Sylvan boards are made with 30% Grade A recycled HDPE and 60% reclaimed wood fibre, with the remaining 10% made up of additives such as an anti-UV agent, antioxidant and stabiliser.

Sylvan composite decking comes in three colours: Anthracite, a deep charcoal grey; Silver, a light cool grey; and Coffee, a warm mid brown. Every colour is made in both the hollow-core and solid-core board.

Both Sylvan profiles are 150mm wide, 25mm thick and 4000mm long. Hollow-core boards weigh 2.83kg per metre and solid-core boards weigh 4.92kg per metre.

Hollow-core boards are lighter and more cost-effective, and suit most residential gardens. Solid-core boards are denser and take a 68% higher maximum load (2550N against 1520N), which makes them the choice for commercial, retail and high-footfall areas.

For most residential gardens, raised platforms and poolside areas, the hollow-core board is the right choice and the more cost-effective one. Choose the solid-core board if the deck will see heavy use, heavy furniture or longer joist spans.

Both Sylvan boards are classified Bfl-s1 for reaction to fire under EN 13501-1.

Sylvan boards have been slip tested wet and dry under ASTM D7032-17, Section 5.6. Results range from 0.26 to 0.65 for the hollow-core board and 0.48 to 0.65 for the solid-core board, and every board has a 3D wood-grain embossed surface for grip.

Every Sylvan board has a co-extruded shield layer to resist fading, but long spells of strong sun can cause gradual fading over time. This is normal for composite decking and does not affect its strength or lifespan.

Yes, composite decking moves slightly with changes in heat and moisture. The linear thermal expansion is 55 x 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for the hollow-core board and 36.1 x 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ for the solid-core board, which is why spacers are used between boards.

Composite decking needs no sanding, staining or oiling. An occasional clean is all Sylvan decking needs to keep looking good.

Yes. Sylvan boards have a grooved channel along both edges that takes hidden clips. Stainless steel starter clips fix the first board, and locking clips hold each board down between its neighbours, so no screws show on the surface.

Sylvan supplies 7mm plastic spacers to set an even gap between boards. The gap lets water drain away and gives the boards room for the small amount of movement that comes with changes in heat and moisture.

No. Sylvan is a supplier only. Most of our customers fit the boards themselves using the hidden clip system, or hand the order to their own contractor. Many contractors also buy from us to supply and fit for their clients.

Design your deck in our online design tool and send it to us. Your quote for boards, clips and trims comes back by email, and once you accept and pay, the order is ready to collect from Newton Abbot.

The cost depends on the size of your deck, the board you choose and the clips and trims you need. We buy direct from the factory to keep prices competitive, and the quickest way to an exact price is to design your deck online and get your quote by email.

At the moment Sylvan orders are collected from our yard at Olympus Business Park in Newton Abbot.

Orders are collected from Unit 21, Olympus Business Park, Kingsteignton Road, Newton Abbot TQ12 2SN, next to the B&Q roundabout.

Yes. Sylvan buys composite decking direct from the factory and supplies builders' merchants, contractors and landscapers as well as DIY customers. Get in touch to talk about regular orders.

Yes. Full technical data sheets for both boards are available on request. Call 01626 333823 or email info@sylvanproducts.co.uk.