Members of one of the UK’s largest networks of professional decking installers are seeing a boom in bookings to replace decks built during the pandemic lockdowns in 2020 and 2021.
TrexPro installers – qualified by leading composite decking brand Trex as having met its high installation and quality standards – across the UK are reporting a rise in contracts from homeowners whose existing decks have failed and are now unappealing or dangerous to use.
During the Covid pandemic, Britons invested heavily in their homes and gardens. Research shows that almost half of UK households spent money improving their outdoor spaces during lockdown, with total spending running into tens of billions of pounds as gardens became offices, classrooms and social hubs.
But according to professional installers, a rush to build decks during that period – combined with low-quality products, supply shortages and inexperienced installers – has left some homeowners facing unexpected replacement costs just a few years later.
Jason Schellenberg, of London-based Oilcanfinish Outdoor Living, says his company has seen a noticeable rise in enquiries from homeowners whose decks were installed during the lockdown years.
“We’re now replacing decks that are barely four years old,” he said.
"In many cases the boards have warped, faded unevenly or become unsafe. But when we take them up, the real problem is often underneath.”
He says poorly built substructures are common. “We often find inadequate support frames, joists spaced too far apart, Class 2 treated timber – which is meant for internal use – that’s already starting to rot, and poor quality, interior grade fixings which aren't designed for outdoor use."
Professional installers say the issue often comes down to two factors: product quality and installation standards.
Although composite decking is marketed as a durable, low-maintenance alternative to timber, experts stress that performance varies significantly between brands.
Lee Heitzman, UK and Ireland market manager for Trex, said its network of TrexPro installers has shared what it describes as a “rogue’s gallery” of images showing failed decks installed during the pandemic boom – including boards that have surfaces that have stained or faded dramatically and substructures that were never designed to support long-term use.
He said: “The pandemic created unprecedented demand for outdoor living spaces. Unfortunately, that demand also led to shortcuts in some cases – whether through inexperienced installers or sub-standard materials entering the market.”
He says decking should be treated as a long-term structural investment rather than a quick cosmetic upgrade.
“Installers should give careful consideration to how they’ll construct the subframe, how to handle ventilation and what warranties come with the product they’re using. A well-built deck should last decades, not a handful of years. Doing the right research upfront can save homeowners thousands in replacement costs later.”
