Southampton and within 20 miles
Composite Decking Installation
Composite boards fitted on a properly built frame, for a deck that stays flat, drains well and only asks for an occasional clean.
Local installation details
Planned for your property
A sound foundation and a finish that belongs
Composite decking is only as good as the structure beneath it. We set out the deck, build the frame to suit the boards you choose and finish the edges and steps so the whole thing looks fitted rather than assembled.
Ashley stays closely involved from the first conversation to the final tidy-up, so you always know who is responsible for your project.
What you can expect
- Frame built to suit composite boards
- Expansion gaps set to the board maker's figures
- Fascia boards and steps finished neatly
Composite decking installation, done from the ground up
Most of what decides whether a composite deck lasts happens before a single board is fixed. The area is cleared, weeds are stopped with a membrane, and solid pads or footings are set so nothing sinks into soft soil. On that base, bearers and joists are fixed level, with the joists closer together than many older timber decks used, because composite boards need more support along their length than softwood.
Airflow matters too. A low deck still needs space underneath and a route for water to escape, otherwise the frame stays damp. We plan the height of the finished deck around the back door, the lawn and any steps on the first visit, so the frame can be built to that figure without guesswork.
Fitters, not a showroom
AJ Adams Landscaping does not sell a particular brand of board. As composite decking fitters, our job is to install the boards you choose correctly, following that system's fixings, gap sizes and joist spacing. Some ranges use hidden clips, others use colour matched screws, and some come with matching fascias and step nosings. Ashley can talk you through what to look for, such as grip, colour and how cut ends are finished.
If you are still weighing up composite against softwood, our comparison guide sets out the differences in upkeep and outlay, so you can come to the site visit with a clear idea of which way you are leaning.
Composite decking cost factors
Composite decking cost is shaped by more than the area. A premium board range costs more than an entry level one. A raised deck needs a deeper frame, posts and often a balustrade. Steps, picture framed edges and fascia boards all add material and cutting time. Ground that slopes or needs clearing first adds groundwork, and a garden reached only through the house adds carrying time. Our decking cost guide explains those factors for Southampton gardens in more detail.
Timescales and what to expect
A straightforward low deck is usually a few days' work from clearing the ground to fixing the last trim, while raised decks and steps add time since the posts and joists carry extra load. Our guide to how long decking takes walks through each stage. Ashley works on composite decking in Southampton and the towns within about 20 miles, and every job starts with a free site quotation.
Costs
What affects composite decking cost
The board range you pick, the height of the deck, the number of steps and how much ground preparation sits underneath all move the figure. The guide below is the composite figure already published on our decking page, and your quote follows a site visit.
Guide figures only, based on recent local work. Your quotation follows a site visit.
Timescales
How a composite deck goes in
Ground and footings
Weeds cleared, membrane laid and solid pads or footings set for the frame.
Frame
Bearers and joists fixed level, spaced to suit the chosen boards.
Boards
Each board clipped or screwed using the method its maker specifies, with room left to expand.
Edges
Fascia, end trims and any steps fitted so cut ends are hidden.
Guides
Helpful reading before you commit
Composite vs timber decking: is composite worth it?
Already leaning towards composite? Check the trade off between a higher outlay now and years of washing rather than oiling.
Read the guide CostsDecking cost in Southampton: timber against composite
Why a composite quote moves with board range, frame height and steps, and which parts of the figure you can control.
Read the guide ProcessHow long does decking take to build?
From footings to the last fascia trim, the stages a composite build goes through and what can stretch them.
Read the guideCommon questions
Composite Decking: your questions answered
Can composite boards go on my existing timber deck frame?
Only if the frame is sound, level and spaced to suit the boards. Older frames are often set wider than composite needs, so Ashley checks the joists before agreeing to reuse them.
Why do composite boards need gaps at the ends?
Composite moves slightly with temperature. Leaving the expansion gaps the board maker specifies stops the boards pushing against walls and each other on a hot day.
Can I choose the composite boards myself?
Yes. You can pick a range you like and Ashley will fit it to that system's instructions, or he can talk through what to look for before you choose.
Is composite decking suitable for a raised deck with steps?
Yes. The frame, posts and steps carry more load on a raised deck, so that part of the build takes longer, but the boards and fascias are fitted the same way.
Plan ahead
Book winter groundwork so your garden is ready for spring
Autumn and winter are useful times to tackle digouts, levelling, fencing and foundations. Get the preparation done before the days get longer.
Areas covered
Local landscaping within 20 miles
Ready to improve your garden?
Arrange a free site quotation with Ashley.