When choosing the decking for your WA home, picking the right deck colour is just as crucial as the material. With things to consider like the UV and heat from the sun, or dust, dirt and sand, making a choice might seem daunting, so we’ve written this article to guide you on choosing the best timber or composite decking colour for your WA home.
Why Decking Colour Matters
The colour of your deck is the first thing any guest will notice when visiting your home. From the grain to the species and even the finish, all these contribute to the overall appearance of your house’s exterior. Due to its location on the exterior of your home, the elements will inevitably wear it down and, depending on the deck colour, the effects can vary from looking faded to even unfortunate rot and decay. With that in mind, here’s a quick tip when picking between lighter or darker shades for your decking:
- Lighter colours – Great for reflecting heat and UV rays, making an area relatively cooler by retaining less heat, but they show stains more easily.
- Darker colours – Dirt and stains don’t show as obviously, but retain more heat as a result, and fading is more noticeable over time, especially in areas with more exposure to sunlight.
Decking Material for Your Consideration: Composite vs Timber
Choosing the material for your decking is equally as important as its colour. Appearance, maintenance needs, and durability, to name a few, are all factors when deciding on the material you’ll use for your decking. To help in your decision, we’ve made a quick list of traits that composite and timber decking have.
Composite decking
- Low maintenance, no oiling needed
- Easy to clean
- Resistant to wood decay, insects, UV fading, and moisture
- Termite proof
Timber decking
- Wide choice of grain patterns
- Varied profile choices to go with the wood choice
- Proper care and maintenance are required to make it look as good as installation day
For a premium composite decking option, NewTechWood offers a wide range of natural-looking, eco-friendly composite decking that comes in a range of colours to choose from. With its BAL 29 rating, it’s perfect for any WA home located in areas prone to bushfires. Check out below a sample of NewTechWood composite decking colours:
Popular Decking Colour Options & What Colour is Best for Your Decking
Various colour profiles perform differently. Finding out the best colour for your decking ultimately depends on your location and needs. To help with your choice, we’ve organised an easy-to-read table that gives you the pros and cons of the current trendy picks for deck colours in Western Australia.
| Colour Tone | Pros | Cons | Best For |
| Light Grey / Silver Ash | Hides dust, modern look, stays cooler | Shows large debris like leaves more easily, can look faded in some light | Coastal homes, modern builds |
| Warm Brown / Teak | Hides leaves and foot traffic, natural look | May heat up more | Family homes |
| Weathered / Natural Timber Look | Timeless look, balances heat and dirt well | Slightly more visible wear | Renovations, regional builds |
| Dark Charcoal / Walnut | Looks premium, hides stains | Shows fading fastest in direct sun, warmer to touch under feet | Covered decks, shaded installs |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Composite Decking Colours
With constant mention of what the outdoors can do to your decking, one would be left wondering, what exactly happens to your decking when exposed to the elements? Let’s break down each of the conditions unique to WA that should be taken into consideration when making your choice on what decking colour to choose.
1. The sun
Harsh UV rays shining down on your decking will gradually fade its colour, giving it a sunbleached look, or darken, depending on the type of wood used. This is more noticeable when using darker colours, where the difference in shade can be easier to spot between areas that have more exposure to sunlight.
2. Coastal salt
Living along the coast will expose your decking to salt, both in the air blowing across the area and the seawater spraying from the beaches. If you’ve owned a favourite cap throughout the years, you’ll know what the salt in your sweat can do to its natural colour. Saltwater can crystallise after drying, building up pressure over time as more salt turns into crystals, and eventually disrupting the cellular structure of the wood, leading to discolouration, warping, and even weakening.
3. Red dirt
The red soil in rural areas of Western Australia owes its colour to being rich in iron oxide, giving it its signature rusty hue. Unfortunately, because it’s rich in iron oxide, the pretty red soil can act just like rust and stain the deck of your house. Not only that, but if the dirt becomes wet, the moisture can also facilitate the growth of wood-decaying fungi.
4. Sand
Coarse and abrasive sand drifting in from our back and front yards in Western Australia is capable of wearing down surfaces as it passes over them, making the colour of your decking look faded. Additionally, the buffeting of sand can strip away at the finish of your decking and expose its underlying layers, making it more vulnerable to further damage from other factors.
5. Fallen leaves
Lastly, fallen leaves are an unassuming culprit against your deck. If you’ve owned a car and have unfortunately left it under a tree during autumn for too long, you’d know the damage leaves can do to your car’s paint job. Likewise, your decking will also be affected by decaying leaves, which release acidic compounds and sap that stain its surface. It can also trap moisture that promotes the growth of mould, mildew and wood rot.
Tips to Keep Your Deck Looking Sharp
Regardless of what material and colour you’ve decided on, a good deck should be well-maintained to make it last and keep it beautiful. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Install in shaded areas where possible.
- Opt for textured or brushed finishes that hide scuffs.
- Sweep regularly to avoid the accumulation of debris and leaves.
- Clean seasonally with water and mild soap.
- If decking is made of timber, apply timber sealer or oil with UV protection. Reapply as needed to prevent drying.
- Make regular inspections for any signs of damage or rot and address them accordingly.
Find WA-Friendly Composite Decking Colours with Westgyp
Ready to boost your curb appeal? Get the best composite decking colours for your home with Westgyp. With over 30+ years of supplying building materials trusted by Perth homeowners and builders, we’ve come to understand which decking solutions can withstand our harsh local climate. So if you want a stylish composite decking colour that will stay vibrant and stylish for years to come, contact our team of experts and we’ll help you out!