🌿 The Truth About Composite Decking Maintenance: What You Really Need to Do

Joel Livesey
Oct 8
4 min read

One of the biggest reasons homeowners across Merseyside and Cheshire are switching to composite decking is because it’s marketed as “low maintenance.”

And it’s true — compared to timber, composite decking saves you countless hours of sanding, staining, and sealing. But low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance.

Although all composite decking is designed to be easy to care for, premium brands like Millboard, NewTechWood, and Trex each use unique surface technologies that resist fading, staining, and algae — meaning cleaning requirements can vary slightly.

The good news? With just a few simple habits, you can keep your deck looking brand new for years without the endless upkeep that timber demands.

🔧 1. Forget About Sanding, Staining, and Oiling

Wave Goodbye to Timber Decking Chores

If you’ve ever owned a timber deck, you’ll know the yearly grind: sanding splinters, re-staining faded boards, and applying oils or sealants to stop rot. It’s time-consuming, messy, and expensive. Even with all that effort, wood still weathers, cracks, and loses its colour over time.

Why Composite Decking Changes Everything

With composite decking, those maintenance headaches are gone. Premium brands like Millboard, NewTechWood, and Trex are engineered for durability and long-term colour stability.

Millboard uses its unique Lastane® surface, completely sealing out moisture and dirt.
NewTechWood features a fully capped polymer shell that protects the composite core from water and UV damage.
Trex combines a rich composite core with fade-resistant pigments for long-lasting colour.

You’ll never need to paint, oil, or stain these boards — ever.

While the decking boards themselves will never need refinishing, it’s worth checking any timber subframes every few years to ensure they remain well-ventilated and dry. The boards might last decades — but the structure beneath still benefits from airflow and care.

Close-up image of a hand applying reddish-brown wood stain to an old, weathered timber deck using a brush, showing the contrast between freshly stained boards and faded wood — illustrating regular maintenance required for traditional wooden decking. — Traditional timber decking demands ongoing maintenance — sanding, staining, and sealing every year to protect against weathering and rot. Composite alternatives like Millboard, NewTechWood, and Trex remove this burden completely, giving you more time to enjoy your garden instead of maintaining it.

🧽 2. Simple Cleaning Is All It Takes

Low Maintenance, Not No Maintenance

Forget the endless sanding and sealing of timber. With composite decking, all that’s required is an occasional clean — a quick sweep and wash to keep your deck free of grime and organic build-up.

Here’s your easy routine:

Sweep regularly: Remove leaves, twigs, and soil to prevent debris collecting in the gaps and trapping moisture.
Wash a few times a year: Mix warm soapy water with a mild household detergent, scrub gently along the grain with a soft brush, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Twice a year — usually spring and autumn — is ideal.
Deal with spills quickly: Clean up food, grease, or drink spills as soon as they occur using soapy water or a specialist composite decking cleaner.

Brand-Specific Cleaning Notes

Millboard: The non-porous Lastane® surface is easy to clean with warm, soapy water and a stiff (but not wire) brush. Avoid solvent-based cleaners or abrasives.
NewTechWood: Use a soft brush with mild detergent; never use bleach or harsh chemicals that can dull the capped surface.
Trex: Can be cleaned with mild detergent or a composite-approved cleaner. Trex also tolerates pressure washing up to 3,000 psi with a fan tip nozzle kept 200–300 mm from the surface.

Pressure Washing Guidelines

If you prefer using a pressure washer:

Keep it under 2,000 psi for Millboard and NewTechWood, under 3,000 psi for Trex.
Always use a fan tip nozzle.
Maintain at least 200–300 mm distance and keep the spray moving to avoid surface damage.

A quick clean a couple of times a year is all it takes to keep your deck looking new — no sanding, staining, or expensive maintenance kits required.

Close-up image of a person cleaning authentic NewTechWood or Millboard composite decking boards with a white-handled brush and soapy water, showing realistic grey wood grain texture, consistent gaps, and natural daylight reflection. — Regular cleaning is all it takes to keep composite decking looking its best. A quick scrub with warm, soapy water removes surface dirt without the need for sanding, sealing, or staining — exactly why homeowners love low-maintenance boards like Millboard and NewTechWood.

💧 3. Keep an Eye on Drainage and Gaps

Why Drainage and Airflow Matter

Even though composite boards themselves are immune to rot and warping, the area underneath still needs airflow and drainage. Without it, standing water can linger on joists or around fixings, shortening the life of a timber subframe and encouraging algae growth.

At Duralive Decking, we design every installation with the correct falls, spacing, and ventilation to prevent this. Each deck is engineered as a system — not just a surface.

How We Build for Longevity

Correct falls: We install decks with a subtle gradient (1:100) to direct rainwater away from structures.
Board spacing: Consistent gaps allow water to drain freely and air to circulate.
Subframe choice: Recycled plastic and aluminium frames naturally improve airflow and resist rot, but even these benefit from clean, open gaps.

Your Simple Seasonal Check

Once or twice a year, spend a few minutes checking that:

Gaps between boards are clear of leaves and soil.
The area beneath isn’t pooling water after rain.
Furniture or planters aren’t completely blocking airflow.

These small habits protect your subframe and keep your deck performing as beautifully as the day it was installed.

🌤️ 4. So, Is Composite Decking Really Low Maintenance?

Absolutely — but low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance. Even the highest-grade composite decking still benefits from light cleaning and good airflow. The difference is, you’ll never have to sand, seal, or replace rotten boards again.

At Duralive Decking, we only work with premium materials such as Millboard, NewTechWood, and Trex — all engineered to handle the North West’s weather with ease. From freezing winters to summer heat, these boards stay safe, slip-resistant, and low-maintenance for decades.

We’ve installed hundreds of bespoke decking projects across Merseyside and Cheshire — each one designed with precise drainage, structural ventilation, and long-term durability in mind. We don’t just fit decking; we engineer outdoor spaces that last.