Choosing the right decking material is essential for creating a long-lasting, beautiful, and functional outdoor space. Among the many options available, scratch-resistant composite decking stands out as a superior choice, particularly for high-traffic areas or households with pets and children. This guide explores why composite decking, particularly Millboard decking’s innovative material, is an excellent alternative to traditional timber or PVC boards. It highlights the unique features of the Lastane® surface and provides practical tips for maintaining your decking's premium appearance.

Composite decking is an excellent alternative to timber or PVC decking boards, offering a myriad of performance advantages such as higher slip resistance, water impermeability, and durability.

Generic uncapped composite decking boards can be prone to scratches and scuffs from chair legs, pet claws, high heels, or heavy foot traffic. However, not all decking brands are created equally. Millboard decking utilises a highly robust surface that helps the decking resist cosmetic damage. It can outperform traditional softwood decks .

By choosing composite decking, you can minimise wear and tear on your new decking, helping to maximise its lifespan, even if you have little ones or excitable pets.

Your decking should look excellent on the day it is installed and for many years to follow, and this requires resilient materials which are designed to last. Highly scratch-resistant composite decking from Millboard marries beauty and performance with its innovative wood-effect decking boards. These are available in four styles: Enhanced Grain, Weathered Oak, Modello or Lasta Grip.

Why Choose Highly Scratch-Resistant Composite Decking?

Durable and resilient decking materials can withstand heavier use and keep their appeal for longer. To maintain a beautiful outdoor space, consider a scratch-resistant decking option and explore its benefits.

• It’s an excellent option if you have pets at home
• It can withstand heavy foot traffic, such as on commercial or communal decks
• It’s robust against various types of footwear, including high heels
• The UK weather doesn’t impact the surface’s scratch resistance

Is All Composite Decking Scratch-Free?

Although a wide range of composite decking options is available, Millboard decking is a premium choice. The boards are tested for durability and abrasion to provide confidence that Millboard’s decking surface is durable against common aggressors.

How Scratch-Resistant is Millboard decking?

The decking’s surface is made up of durable materials which can provide high resistance to scratches, but the boards aren’t completely scratch-proof. So it's important to take care when moving furniture or entertaining pets; however, the surface is not easily damaged by general use.

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Balancing the comfort, beauty and durability of composite decking often leads to performance compromises. However, Millboard decking offers outstanding longevity, alongside a stunning wood-grain surface: it’s not only grippy but also highly UV-stable and doesn’t splinter like timber decking can.

• Highly scratch-resistant surface keeps your decking looking fabulous for longer
• A similarly-coloured Lastane layer minimises the appearance of scratches that may occur
• UV-stable pigment combats fading from sunlight exposure
• The rubber-like elastomer has excellent grip and a comfortable texture

The Paint:

Millboard uses a unique pigment composition that is highly durable. The carefully blended paint shades also help achieve accurate wood-grain patterns for the best aesthetic outcome.

Explore ten shades of Enhanced Grain decking

The Lastane®:The Lastane® layer is coloured in a similar pigment to the surface pigment, which means that in the unlikely event that the decking surface does get damaged, scratches are likely to be obscure.

See the wood-effect surface for yourself

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How to avoid decking scratches

Even if you have highly scratch-resistant composite decking, you can’t eliminate all the risks. To maintain the appeal of your Millboard composite decking, consider the following advice on avoiding cosmetic damage:

1. Lift your outdoor furniture instead of dragging it
2. Place pads under furniture to protect the decking surface from abrasive feet.
3. Cleaning and sweeping of small stones, grit, or gravel from the surface; jagged debris can cause extra wear to the surface
4. Keep sharp instruments, such as tools, away from your composite decking.
5. Avoid playing with your pets on the decking: stick to the lawn or a local park to let off some steam.
6. Wear appropriate footwear on your decking; this not only reduces the risk of scratches but also helps keep you safe.

How to repair decking scratches

If you do scratch your Millboard decking, the damage should be barely noticeable. If there is extensive cosmetic or structural damage, speak to a Millboard installer about replacing a decking board.

How does Millboard decking compare to other composite decking brands in terms of scratch resistance?

Millboard composite decking is one of the most durable options available. Its unique Lastane® layer and pigment are resilient, even with heavy foot traffic. Scratch-prone wooden decking can lose its appeal over time due to weathering and surface damage, not to mention the possibility of dangerous splinters.

Can heavy furniture leave scratches on composite decking?

Heavy furniture can leave scratches, especially if there are abrasive or pointy surfaces on the underside. Dragging heavy furniture increases the risk of scuffs. However, generally, Millboard composite decking is resistant to damage from everyday use. To avoid unnecessary abrasions, lift furniture instead of dragging it when moving.

Will dog claws scratch composite decking?

If you own a dog, you’ll know that their claws scratch almost every surface, including hardwood flooring and decking. It’s impossible to eliminate the risks, but choosing a durable composite decking option can help prevent scratches. Avoid playing with excitable pets on the decking to reduce the chance of scratches occurring.

Does composite decking scratch easily?

There are always risks of accidental scrapes, but some composite decking types can become more easily damaged than others. Carefully designed paint and elastomer compositions from Millboard ensure that the deck surface is both durable and visually appealing.

Which composite decking is the most scratch-resistant?

Millboard decking is a superior choice if durability is important to you. Not only is it highly resistant to surface damage, but it’s also free from wood fibres, which reduces the chance of warping and splintering. Moreover, the boards are available in a vast variety of long-lasting finishes.

How does composite decking get scratched?

The more a deck gets used, the more likely it is to become damaged. However, the most common causes of a scratched deck are pet claws, heavy and abrasive furniture, or very high foot traffic. If you expect your decking to be exposed to lots of wear and tear, consider a more durable option such as Millboard decking.

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