How to Select the Ideal Colour for Your Composite Decking
By Dave Kile
Composite decking, such as Trex, is a beautiful, sustainable, and highly durable decking option. It stands up to the harsh elements, is easy to clean and maintain, and, best yet, comes in various beautiful colours. I guarantee that Trex composite decks will undoubtedly increase the resale value of your home, as this decking material is highly in-demand. Your investment will certainly be worth it in the long run. If you want to build a new deck, consider researching Trex’s various colours.
Popular and Unique Composite Decking Colours
We know a common choice of decking colour is usually brown, but what about various other colours, shades, or hues? Trex decking has you covered! Besides stunning browns and tans, Trex boasts colours of grey, taupe, beige, and olive and even delves into reddish hues.
Let’s check out a few of the colours in which Trex composite decking is available. We know you will not be disappointed. These meticulously crafted colours capture nature’s essence and pay homage to the surrounding environment that makes you feel at home. All that plus a sustainable composite material backed by a decades-long warranty!
Grey
Smart and elegant, grey composite decking adds a contemporary appearance to your aesthetic. With more and more construction being planned with a modern design, a silver or grey colour will balance the outdoor space. Grey colours hide wear and tear as well.
With Trex colours, like Clam Shell or our new coastal shade, Calm Water, this selection of greys will accentuate your deck and outdoor space with an air of soothing professionalism and style. Additionally, outdoor furniture is a breeze to match. Consider incorporating some blue hues.
Brown
Traditionally, brown has been the go-to for deck colours. Like the rich timber shade, brown composite decking has many different tones. Coffee, molasses, and yes, chocolate (Yum!) can be the inspirations for your beautiful browns.
Many browns are complementary to nature and structures. Check out Trex’s colour Saddle, which conveys a rustic authenticity, while the new shade Jasper creates a warm invitation to relax, sit, and enjoy a sunny afternoon.
Taupe and Beige
Trusty tan shades, which include pleasing neutral tones, are an ideal choice if you have an eye for outdoor décor. Taupe and beige tie together your dwelling and outdoor living. Picking deck furnishings is easy with this colour grouping as they fare well with nearly every style and many colours.
Beige and taupe tend not to be as hot in the direct sunlight. Colours like dreamy Biscayne set up a bright atmosphere for you and your guests – and plants and greenery pop when using a lighter shade. Also, any flowering plant looks spectacular on or adjacent to a deck, but the colours really are attention-grabbing when partnered with a beige-coloured deck.
Charcoal and Black
Bold colours like black, charcoal, and umber are dramatic and provide a striking effect to your outside space. Black or dark grey can hide traffic patterns, and the colour hues pair well with bright furnishings and outdoor rugs, but they can also retain heat.
Consider dark composite colours in cooler or less sunny climates to counter this. You could also potentially use darker composite boards to accentuate a lighter-coloured deck. Conversely, a shade sail, canopy, or awning can help mitigate the heat from direct sunlight. Although darker composite gets hot, you can take preventative measures to stay cool and protected from the sun’s rays.
White and Light Cream
Light colours like white or ivory look simply fabulous. They lend themselves to an airy feeling and can also be a poignant accent to a darker deck colour. White and light boards work nicely in sunny climates since sunlight is reflected off the boards and is not retained.
One thing to remember about white composite decking is that it will show dirt and grime more than darker-coloured surface boards. White composite can also be as impressive as darker shades with the right decorative elements.
Redwood and Cedar
Now, we get to the fiercely fashionable tones of rust and red. Cedar colours, and especially redwood, are resplendently warm decking colour options. We particularly like the reds as they convey a comfortable atmosphere, inviting relaxation and radiant energy.
The ruddy hues are ideal for lush, green landscaping and craftsman-style homes. Trex’s colour, Lava Rock, perfectly captures the vibrant wood grain pattern—red composite pairs exceptionally well with grey, khaki or olive siding.
Green and Olive
Since we mentioned greenish tones, let’s look at a khaki or olive composite. These colours reference nature, and this colour scheme is a grand choice for the outdoorsy folks.
Green-toned decking plays well off timber-sided dwellings and looks brilliant with a pergola or other outdoor structures, like gazebos. Mixing and matching composite deck colours can create a unique, memorable, and distinctive design.
Multi-tonal Boards
Speaking of mixing and matching, multi-tonal composite decking is a fun way to show off your composite deck. Also, adding contrasting shades can help with safety. Stairs or end boards with different colours can highlight a step-up or a step-down.
Additionally, mixing tones of composite provides a custom design and can be tailored to your colour palette or taste. Deep mahogany and olive often enhance each other, while ivory plays well with teak. Cooler colours like a whitewashed grey meets the warmth of a golden brown when tones are mixed. Multiple shades of appealing grey can reflect depth and add texture to your outdoor oasis.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Composite Decking Colours
A few components are important when deciding the colour of your composite deck.
Surrounding Environment
What type of landscaping is around your deck? Is there shade provided by trees or another structure? That would cool down the deck’s surface. Do you have flowering flora? How will that look next to the deck?
Sunlight and Heat Absorption
Expanding upon the shade factor, how many hours a day does sunlight shine on the deck surface? It is best to choose a lighter colour if this is the case. Darker shades will retain heat, making the deck’s surface much hotter.
Lifestyle and Maintenance
If you have an active lifestyle, opt for something that shows less wear. Although attractive, a lighter deck surface can show footsteps and dirt.
Design Aesthetic
This is where we assess the deck’s size, shape, and general design regarding the colour which would suit it best. For example, a larger deck may have more colour options, while a smaller deck could look bigger if a lighter shade is selected.
Resale Value
Last but not least, it is a good idea to contemplate what a future potential buyer may find attractive. You might enjoy a deck with a warm reddish hue, but will someone who looks at your dwelling in the future like that? They may prefer to go with a traditional brown, or perhaps grey may be more to their liking.
Final Tips for Making Your Decision
When you decide on your deck’s design, material, and colour, Trex will be there for you! It is simple to order samples of possible colours which may please you. Don’t hesitate to contact Trex for assistance.
As referenced before, what may appeal to you might not appeal to someone else. Think hard before you choose a colour which may be more unusual. Typically, browns and tans cater to most people’s tastes. If you’ll be in your home for the long term, then ostensibly, an olive or khaki colour you adore might be fine.
When it comes to resale value, err on the side of caution. Greys are a surefire way to go, as are browns. But no matter, Trex composite is always a sustainable, brilliant choice.
Sources:
https://trexprotect.com/uk/blog/cost-of-deck-installation-how-much-does-it-really-cost/
https://uk.trex.com/deck-ideas/colors/?colorFilter=Greys
https://uk.trex.com/deck-ideas/colors/?colorFilter=Browns
https://uk.trex.com/deck-ideas/colors/?colorFilter=Reds
https://uk.trex.com/deck-ideas/colors/
https://trexprotect.com/uk/blog/composite-vs-wood-decking-which-is-right-for-your-outdoors/
https://trexprotect.com/uk/blog/what-is-composite-decking-made-of/
